A Simple Fecal Flotation Method for Diagnosing Zoonotic Nematodes Under Field and Laboratory Conditions

Diagnosis of canine parasites with zoonotic potential such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum under field conditions is usually difficult due to limited access to a laboratory in rural and suburban areas in Mexico. This study aimed to detect T. canis and Ancylostoma spp. in fecal samples collected from dogs in Mexico from 2017 to 2021 under field conditions. Sample size calculation resulted in a target enrollment of 534 dogs across the country. Samples were collected directly from the rectum or the ground after defecation. Samples were stored in individual, tightly sealed, plastic bags at 4 °C. A saturated solution of sodium chloride (specific gravity [SpG] 1.20) was prepared both under field and laboratory conditions. Within 3 days of collection, 2-4 g of feces were tested for parasites using a flotation method by suspending each fecal sample in a saline solution. Feces were mixed with the flotation solution and crushed using a metal spoon. Once a uniform consistency was achieved, the fecal sample was poured into a new plastic cup using a sieve and allowed to sit for 10-15 min. Three drops from the top of the mixture were collected using a sterilized inoculating loop. The slides were placed on the microscope and parasites were identified by trained parasitologists. Fecal samples from 1,055 dogs were screened microscopically. The number of positive samples for Ancylostoma spp. was 833 (78.95% frequency) and 222 (21.04%) for T. canis. These findings illustrate the importance of identifying zoonotic helminths in dogs living in urban and rural areas in Mexico using a coproparasitoscopic technique in the laboratory and under field conditions.

Effects of in-the-bag dry-ageing on meat quality, palatability and volatile compounds of low-value beef cuts

This study evaluated the effects of in-the-bag dry-ageing (BDA) (21 and 42 d) on meat quality, palatability, and volatile compounds of clod heart, brisket, and flat iron cuts from steers. In all cuts, BDA increased moisture losses (P < 0.05), but this did not reduce the juiciness of 21 d BDA versus wet-aged (WA) steaks. In clod heart, BDA increased overall tenderness at 21 d compared to 21 d WA (P < 0.01). Regardless of ageing period, BDA of clod heart increased beef flavour and salty taste and decreased sour-dairy and stale/cardboard flavours and concentrations of volatile compounds derived from lipid oxidation compared to WA (P < 0.05). In brisket, BDA increased salty taste and fatty aroma and reduced bloody/serumy flavour, whereas decreased beef and buttery flavours and intensified some unpleasant aromas/flavours (P < 0.05) for both ageing periods. The BDA of flat iron increased several undesirable aromas/flavours and decreased sweet taste and beef and buttery flavours (P < 0.05), regardless of ageing period. Overall, BDA for 42 d decreased meat quality and palatability and increased concentrations of volatile compounds from lipid oxidation, especially in flat iron cuts. Value could be recovered by customizing BDA periods by cut.

2021 Spanish Society of Hypertension position statement about telemedicine

The pandemic caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has forced, in many cases, to replace face-to-face consultation with the telematic consultation, in order to reduce the risk of contagion associated with the presence of patients in health centres. This change may represent an opportunity for a different and more effective communication between professionals and patients, allowing better accessibility to medical care and more systematic and comprehensive approach to patients with hypertension and cardiovascular risk. However, organisational tools are needed to facilitate communication between patients and professionals, specifically with the exchange of clinical data by remote monitoring of variables associated with hypertension and cardiovascular risk (blood pressure, weight, height, blood tests…), and allow monitoring of adherence to treatments, lifestyles and risk factors. It would be desirable for this to be carried out by multidisciplinary teams, both from primary care, hospital and community pharmacy, with an adequate coordination of care. This document of the Spanish Society of Hypertension (SEH-LELHA) tries to give the keys to improve the quality of care of telematic consultations of patients with hypertension and cardiovascular risk, provide basic criteria of telematic or face to face attention and systematise their content. Likewise, the follow-up criteria are proposed by the different professionals.

Development and validation of the Canadian retail cut beef yield grades

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) system has five retail cut yield (RCY) classes, whereas the former Canadian system had three total lean yield (TLY) classes. A total of 720 beef carcasses were used to develop a modified grade ruler, harmonizing the Canadian grades into five classes. Beef carcasses (n = 750) from three Canadian federally inspected facilities were graded using both USDA and Canadian (harmonized ruler) systems for external validation. Agreement between the USDA-RCY and the Canadian TLY was high (R2 = 0.80). The validation between the harmonized ruler and the USDA-RCY showed a standard deviation of the difference of 1.32 and a coefficient of concordance of 0.83.

P5753Jailed pressure wire to assess the side branch result for bifurcation lesions treated by provisional stenting strategy: iFR as a new index

Purpose

To analyze the feasibility and efficacy of the jailed pressure wire technique for bifurcation lesions treated by provisional stenting strategy and to assess the physiological side branch (SB) result using instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR).

Methods

Between June 2017 and December 2018, 50 patients who presented a bifurcation lesion considered appropriate for provisional stenting strategy were included in the study. Pressure wire was passed to side branch before treatment. Main vessel (MV) and side branch (SB) was predilated at the operator criteria. iFR determination was obtained in the SB baseline and after MV stenting (leaving the pressure wire jailed). Afterwards, the wire was removed to MV ostium to discard the possibility of drift. SB postdilation was performed if SB iFR was less than 0,89 (according to vessel thresholds established in clinical trials), evaluating the result by a new iFR determination.

Results

The mean age was 64±10 years. Sixteen patients (32%) had diabetes. Clinical presentation was stable angina in 26 patients (52%), non-STEMI in 19 patients (38%) and STEMI (non culprit lesion) in 5 patients (10%). The most frequent bifurcation type according to Medina classifications was 1,1,0 (21 patients, 42%). Seventeen patients (34%) had a true bifurcation lesion. The MV and SB reference diameter was 3,0±0,5 mm and 2,25±0,5 mm respectively. Most of the bifurcations were located at the left anterior descending artery/diagonal branch (27 bifurcations, 54%). Ten patients (20%) presented a distal left main bifurcation. Baseline SB iFR was 0,78±0,2. Under continuous SB iFR monitoring MV stenting was performed by trapping the pressure wire. After MV stenting, the SB iFR changed to 0,90±0,1. We confirmed the presence of drift in 5 patients (10%). In these cases, recalibration of the wire and SB rewiring was performed in 4 cases. In the remaining patient, rewiring was not possible even using specific coronary wires.

According to SB IFR, postdilation was necessary in 14 patients (28%). Final SB iFR was 0,94±0,03. A second stent was not necessary in any patient because final SB iFR was higher than 0.89 in all cases. We observed discordance between angiographic and physiological result in 17 cases (34%). All the wires could be removed. Forty wires (80%) were microscopically analyzed. Some grade of microscopic damage was found in 32 wires (80%), all of them distal to the pressure sensor. However, only one of these wires (2%) presented severe damage, and no case of fracture was observed.

After a mean follow up time of 10±6 months only one patient (2%) presented a major cardiac adverse event (acute coronary syndrome due to voluntary cessation of dual antiplatelet therapy).

Conclusions

The use of jailed pressure wire to monitor SB results for bifurcations treated by provisional stenting seems to be safe. The iFR index seems to provide new physiological information about the significance of the SB stenosis.

[Position statement on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) by the Spanish Society of Hypertension (2019)]

Conventional blood pressure (BP) measurement in clinical practice is the most used procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension (HT), but is subject to considerable inaccuracies due to, on the one hand, the inherent variability of the BP itself and, on the other hand biases arising from the measurement technique and conditions, Some studies have demonstrated the prognosis superiority in the development of cardiovascular disease using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). It can also detect "white coat" hypertension, avoiding over-diagnosis and over-treatment in many cases, as well detecting of masked hypertension, avoiding under-detection and under-treatment. ABPM is recognised in the diagnosis and management of HT in most of international guidelines on hypertension. The present document, taking the recommendations of the European Society of Hypertension as a reference, aims to review the more recent evidence on ABPM, and to serve as guidelines for health professionals in their clinical practice and to encourage ABPM use in the diagnosis and follow-up of hypertensive subjects. Requirements, procedure, and clinical indications for using ABPM are provided. An analysis is also made of the main contributions of ABPM in the diagnosis of "white coat" and masked HT phenotypes, short term BP variability patterns, its use in high risk and resistant hypertension, as well as its the role in special population groups like children, pregnancy and elderly. Finally, some aspects about the current situation of the Spanish ABPM Registry and future perspectives in research and potential ABPM generalisation in clinical practice are also discussed.

Survey of the analysis of continuous conformational variability of biological macromolecules by electron microscopy

Single-particle analysis by electron microscopy is a well established technique for analyzing the three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules. Besides its ability to produce high-resolution structures, it also provides insights into the dynamic behavior of the structures by elucidating their conformational variability. Here, the different image-processing methods currently available to study continuous conformational changes are reviewed.

[Spanish Society of Hypertension position statement on the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines]

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have recently published their guidelines for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of hypertension in adults. The most controversial issue is the classification threshold at 130/80mmHg, which will allow a large number of patients to be diagnosed as hypertensive who were previously considered normotensive. Blood pressure (BP) is considered normal (<120mmHg systolic and <80mmHg diastolic), elevated (120-129 and <80mmHg), stage 1 (130-139 or 80-89mmHg), and stage 2 (≥140 or ≥90mmHg). Out-of-office BP measurements are recommended to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and for titration of BP-lowering medication. In management, cardiovascular risk would be determinant since those with grade 1 hypertension and an estimated 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ≥10%, and those with cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and/or diabetes will require pharmacological treatment, the rest being susceptible to non-pharmacological treatment up to the 140/90mmHg threshold. These recommendations would allow patients with level 1 hypertension and high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to benefit from pharmacological therapies and all patients could also benefit from improved non-pharmacological therapies. However, this approach should be cautious because inadequate BP measurement and/or lack of systematic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease calculation could lead to overestimation in diagnosing hypertension and to overtreatment. Guidelines are recommendations, not impositions, and the management of hypertension should be individualized, based on clinical decisions, preferences of the patients, and an adequate balance between benefits and risks.

[Benefits of spironolactone as the optimal treatment for drug resistant hypertension. Pathway-2 trial review]

Pathway-2 is the first randomised, double-blind and crossover trial that compares spironolactone as a fourth drug with alfa-blocker, beta-blocker and placebo. This study shows that spironolactone is the drug with more possibilities of success for the management of patients with difficult-to-treat hypertension in patients with a combination of three drugs and poor control. The results validate the widespread treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in resistant hypertension.

[Cardiovascular risk study in patients with renin-angiotensin system blockade by means of the proteone of circulating extracellular vesicles]

INTRODUCTION

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released to the bloodstream by certain cell types due to transport, activation and cell death processes. Blood count of EVs from platelet and endothelial origin has been proved to be a cardiovascular risk biomarker. Thus, EVs proteome might reflect the underlying cellular processes in hypertensive patients with albuminuria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Protein content of circulating EVs was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. EVs were isolated by an ultracentrifugation protocol optimized in order to avoid contamination by blood plasma proteins. Purity of the isolated fraction was verified by electronic and confocal microscopy, and by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We hereby show a method to isolate circulating EVs from hypertensive patients with/without albuminuria with high yield and purity. Besides, we provide a reference proteome of the EVs of these patients, composed of 2,463 proteins, and prove that the proteins carried by these vesicles are associated with crucial processes involved in the inherent cardiovascular risk.

CONCLUSION

The proteome of circulating EVs is an interesting source of indicators in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients with renin-angiotensin system blockage.

Structure-activity relationship for peptídic growth hormone secretagogues

Growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRPs) could be widely used by cheating athletes because they produce growth hormone (GH) secretion, so may generate an ergogenic effect in the body. Knowledge of the essential amino acids needed in GHRP structure for interaction with the target biological receptor GHSR1a, the absorption through different administration routes, and the maintenance of pharmacological activity of potential biotransformation products may help in the fight against their abuse in sport. Several GHRPs and truncated analogues with the common core Ala-Trp-(D-Phe)-Lys have been studied with a radio-competitive assay for the GHSR1a receptor against the radioactive natural ligand ghrelin. Relevant chemical modifications influencing the activity for positions 1, 2, 3, and 7 based on the structure aa-aa-aa-Ala-Trp-(D-Phe)-Lys have been obtained. To test in vivo the applicability of the activities observed, the receptor assay activity in samples from excretion studies performed after nasal administration of GHRP-1, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin was confirmed. Overall results obtained allow to infer structure-activity information for those GHRPs and to detect GHSR1a binding (intact GHRPs plus active metabolites) in excreted urines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fit-for-Purpose Radio Receptor Assay for the Determination of Growth Hormone Secretagogues in Urine

The everlasting pharmacological development is continuously producing new substances with potential doping abuse. Among these, secretagogues are very prone to misuse by athletes for their properties to release growth hormone (GH) and some limitations in the actual analytical methods to detect them. In this paper, an in-depth study on the key variables of the radio receptor method previously developed by our group is performed and a fit-for-purpose protocol is established. Thus, this sensitive and robust screening method is proposed as an intelligent and preventive antidoping method to detect new growth hormone secretagogues (GHSs) in exceptional suspicious urine samples obtained from athletes and will support the current detection methods based on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Modification over time of pulse wave velocity parallel to changes in aortic BP, as well as in 24-h ambulatory brachial BP

Arterial stiffness as assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is a marker of preclinical organ damage and a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, independently of blood pressure (BP). However, limited evidence exists on the association between long-term variation (Δ) on aortic BP (aoBP) and ΔcfPWV. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of ΔBP with ΔcfPWV over time, as assessed by office and 24-h ambulatory peripheral BP, and aoBP. AoBP and cfPWV were evaluated in 209 hypertensive patients with either diabetes or metabolic syndrome by applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor) at baseline(b) and at 12 months of follow-up(fu). Peripheral BP was also determined by using validated oscillometric devices (office(o)-BP) and on an outpatient basis by using a validated (Spacelabs-90207) device (24-h ambulatory BP). ΔcfPWV over time was calculated as follows: ΔcfPWV=[(cfPWVfu-cfPWVb)/cfPWVb] × 100. ΔBP over time resulted from the same formula applied to BP values obtained with the three different measurement techniques. Correlations (Spearman 'Rho') between ΔBP and ΔcfPWV were calculated. Mean age was 62 years, 39% were female and 80% had type 2 diabetes. Baseline office brachial BP (mm Hg) was 143±20/82±12. Follow-up (12 months later) office brachial BP (mm Hg) was 136±20/79±12. ΔcfPWV correlated with ΔoSBP (Rho=0.212; P=0.002), Δ24-h SBP (Rho=0.254; P<0.001), Δdaytime SBP (Rho=0.232; P=0.001), Δnighttime SBP (Rho=0.320; P<0.001) and ΔaoSBP (Rho=0.320; P<0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis included the following independent variables: ΔoSBP, Δ24-h SBP, Δdaytime SBP, Δnighttime SBP and ΔaoSBP. ΔcfPWV was independently associated with Δ24-h SBP (β-coefficient=0.195; P=0.012) and ΔaoSBP (β-coefficient= 0.185; P=0.018). We conclude that changes in both 24-h SBP and aoSBP more accurately reflect changes in arterial stiffness than do office BP measurements.

Effect of micellized natural (D-α-tocopherol) vs. synthetic (DL-α-tocopheryl acetate) vitamin E supplementation given to turkeys on oxidative status and breast meat quality characteristics

This study evaluates the effect of vitamin E supplementation source (micellized natural vs. the synthetic form) and dosage (40, 80, or 120 mg/kg) on α-tocopherol concentration in plasma and muscle, antioxidant capacity, and breast meat quality in turkeys. Three hundred female turkeys were randomly selected at an average live weight 63.2 g±0.5 and distributed into 7 groups. One group (control) was fed a standard diet without vitamin E supplementation and the other 6 were given mixed diets supplemented with the natural (d-α-tocopherol) or synthetic (dl-α-tocopheryl acetate) form of vitamin E in 3 dosages (40, 80, or 120 mg/kg). Following 11 wk feeding, results showed that performance parameters were not modified either by source or dosage of vitamin E supplementation to the turkeys. Plasma and muscle α-tocopherol at d 9 of refrigerated storage were higher when turkeys were supplemented with the natural form at higher doses. Losses in the concentration of α-tocopherol in meat between the beginning and the end of the 9 d refrigerated storage were greater in the groups supplemented with the synthetic form of vitamin E compared to those receiving the natural supplementation. The relationship between plasma α-tocopherol and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity followed a different trend depending on the vitamin E source. Intramuscular fat was not significantly affected by the vitamin E source supplementation; however the slope of the linear regression equation was lower for the natural form than for the synthetic form. Turkeys given the natural form had higher C18:1n-9 but lower C15:1, C17:1, C20:5n-3, and C22:6n-3 in breast muscle. Meat samples from turkeys supplemented with natural vitamin E had higher deoxymyoglobin at d 3, 6, and 9 and lower metmyoglobin at d 9 of refrigerated storage than those receiving the synthetic form. Dietary supplementation with medium doses (80 mg/kg) micellized d-α-tocopherol is an interesting feeding strategy for ensuring antioxidant status and improving meat quality.

Effect of fatty acid composition and positional distribution within the triglyceride on selected physical properties of dry-cured ham subcutaneous fat

Analysis of fatty acid (FA) positional distribution within the triglyceride (TG) and selected physical properties of dry-cured ham subcutaneous fat (SF) were carried out. The slip point (SP) of the SF was related to the concentration and positional distribution of FA. When C16:0 was in Sn-2, the SP depended on the FA present in Sn-1,3. Hardness was related to the FA concentration in external positions of TG. A significant direct linear correlation between hardness against C18:0, SFA and average chain length (ACL) and inverse against C18:1, C18:2 and PUFA and unsaturation index (UI) in external positions was found. Adhesiveness was related to SFA, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, MUFA, UI and ACL exclusively in Sn-2 position. A different role of FA in Sn-2 and Sn-1,3 positions on SP and texture properties of fat was found.

Alternative method for intramuscular fat analysis using common laboratory equipment

A procedure to quantify intramuscular fat was developed using common inexpensive laboratory equipment. Three homogenization methods of lyophilized muscle samples (Ball-mill, Grinder and Mortar) and two extraction methods (Ball-mill or Vortex) were used in turkey meat and pork. Two-hundred mg of lyophilized and homogenized samples were accurately weighed and mixed with 1.5 mL of dichloromethane-methanol (8:2) and shaken either in a Mixer Mill (MM400, Retsch Technology) or in a Vortex. The final mixture was separated by centrifugation. Solvent was evaporated under a nitrogen stream and lipid content was gravimetrically determined. Besides, it was checked that the fatty acid profile was not altered by the protocol used. Moreover, the analysis of 4 replicas from the same sample showed different variation coefficients (16-29%) for the new procedures proposed over a wide range of IMF content. The combination of Grinder and Vortex methodologies can be proposed as a simple and inexpensive alternative to previous ones.

Pseudoephedrine and circadian rhythm interaction on neuromuscular performance

This study analyzed the effects of pseudoephedrine (PSE) provided at different time of day on neuromuscular performance, side effects, and violation of the current doping cut-off threshold [World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)]. Nine resistance-trained males carried out bench press and full squat exercises against four incremental loads (25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% one repetition maximum [1RM]), in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Participants ingested either 180 mg of PSE (supra-therapeutic dose) or placebo in the morning (7:00 h; AM(PLAC) and AM(PSE)) and in the afternoon (17:00 h; PM(PLAC) and PM(PSE)). PSE enhanced muscle contraction velocity against 25% and 50% 1RM loads, only when it was ingested in the mornings, and only in the full squat exercise (4.4-8.7%; P < 0.05). PSE ingestion raised urine and plasma PSE concentrations (P < 0.05) regardless of time of day; however, cathine only increased in the urine samples. PSE ingestion resulted in positive tests occurring in 11% of samples, and it rose some adverse side effects such us tachycardia and heart palpitations. Ingestion of a single dose of 180 mg of PSE results in enhanced lower body muscle contraction velocity against low and moderate loads only in the mornings. These mild performance improvements are accompanied by undesirable side effects and an 11% risk of surpassing the doping threshold.

Mass spectrometric behavior of anabolic androgenic steroids using gas chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. Part I: ionization

The detection of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is one of the most important topics in doping control analysis. Gas chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry (GC-MS(/MS)) with electron ionization and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry have been traditionally applied for this purpose. However, both approaches still have important limitations, and, therefore, detection of all AAS is currently afforded by the combination of these strategies. Alternative ionization techniques can minimize these drawbacks and help in the implementation of a single method for the detection of AAS. In the present work, a new atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source commercialized for gas chromatography coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight analyzer has been tested to evaluate the ionization of 60 model AAS. Underivatized and trimethylsylil (TMS)-derivatized compounds have been investigated. The use of GC-APCI-MS allowed for the ionization of all AAS assayed irrespective of their structure. The presence of water in the source as modifier promoted the formation of protonated molecules ([M+H](+)), becoming the base peak of the spectrum for the majority of studied compounds. Under these conditions, [M+H](+), [M+H-H2O](+) and [M+H-2·H2O](+) for underivatized AAS and [M+H](+), [M+H-TMSOH](+) and [M+H-2·TMSOH](+) for TMS-derivatized AAS were observed as main ions in the spectra. The formed ions preserve the intact steroid skeleton, and, therefore, they might be used as specific precursors in MS/MS-based methods. Additionally, a relationship between the relative abundance of these ions and the AAS structure has been established. This relationship might be useful in the structural elucidation of unknown metabolites.

A new sulphate metabolite as a long-term marker of metandienone misuse

Metandienone is one of the most frequently detected anabolic androgenic steroids in sports drug testing. Metandienone misuse is commonly detected by monitoring different metabolites excreted free or conjugated with glucuronic acid using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase and liquid-liquid extraction. It is known that several metabolites are the result of the formation of sulphate conjugates in C17, which are converted to their 17-epimers in urine. Therefore, sulphation is an important phase II metabolic pathway of metandienone that has not been comprehensively studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the sulphate fraction of metandienone metabolism by LC-MS/MS. Seven sulphate metabolites were detected after the analysis of excretion study samples by applying different neutral loss scan, precursor ion scan and SRM methods. One of the metabolites (M1) was identified and characterised by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS as 18-nor-17β-hydroxymethyl-17α-methylandrost-1,4,13-triene-3-one sulphate. M1 could be detected up to 26 days after the administration of a single dose of metandienone (5 mg), thus improving the period in which the misuse can be reported with respect to the last long-term metandienone metabolite described (18-nor-17β-hydroxymethyl-17α-methylandrost-1,4,13-triene-3-one excreted in the glucuronide fraction).

Serine biosynthesis by photorespiratory and non-photorespiratory pathways: an interesting interplay with unknown regulatory networks

Photorespiration is a primary metabolic pathway, which, given its energy costs, has often been viewed as a wasteful process. Despite having reached the consensus that one important function of photorespiration is the removal of toxic metabolite intermediates, other possible functions have emerged, and others could well emerge in the future. As a primary metabolic pathway, photorespiration interacts with other routes; however the nature of these interactions is not well known. One of these interacting pathways could be the biosynthesis of serine, since this amino acid is synthesised through photorespiratory and non-photorespiratory routes. At present, the exact contribution of each route to serine supply in different tissues and organs, their biological significance and how pathways are integrated and/or regulated remain unknown. Here, we review the non-photorespiratory serine biosynthetic pathways, their interactions with the photorespiratory pathway, their putative role in plants and their biotechnological interest.

Short- and long-term effect of oral administration of micellized natural vitamin E (D-α-tocopherol) on oxidative status in race horses under intense training

This study tested the effect of micellized vitamin E (D-α-tocopherol; 1,400 IU/d) administered 12 and 1 h orally before training for 1 d (ST-VitE) or 8 d (LT-VitE) compared with an unsupplemented control (CONTROL) on plasma α-tocopherol, thiobarbithuric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), total glutathione (GSHt), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) in 10 race horses. Different sampling times [immediately before training (BEF) and after intense training (END) or 8 h after recovery (+8h)] were investigated. Plasma α-tocopherol concentration was greater in the ST-VitE group than the CONTROL group at +8h (P < 0.05). Natural vitamin E supplementation increased plasma α-tocopherol (P < 0.001) in the LT-VitE group by approximately 1.6-fold at BEF, END, and +8h. In all groups, TBARS tended to be slightly greater (P = 0.087) immediately after training when compared with values BEF or +8h and the lowest TBARS values were observed at +8h in LT-VitE. Vitamin E supplementation did not affect the GSHt concentrations at BEF, END, or +8h. The TEAC values were modified by the vitamin E administration (P = 0.010). The greatest TEAC was found in the LT-VitE group at all sampling times and similar concentrations were reached in the ST-VitE group at +8h. The CONTROL group was not able to maintain TEAC after training (P < 0.001), indicating consumption of antioxidants (mainly vitamin E) and consequently oxidative stress because of the antioxidant system being overwhelmed by a reduced antioxidant supply. In conclusion, micellized natural vitamin E at 1,400 IU/d for 8 d efficiently increased plasma α-tocopherol concentration of race horses undergoing intense training conditions and maintained the general oxidative status.

Descriptive epidemiology of clubfoot in Peru: a clinic-based study

congenital clubfoot is the most common birth defect of the musculoskeletal system and affects 1 in every 1000 live births each year.(1) Although there have been numerous studies of investigation, the etiology and pathogenesis of clubfoot remains unknown. To date, no epidemiological studies have been conducted in Peru to assess possible genetic and environmental risk factors associated with this deformity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate specific environmental and socioeconomic factors that may increase the risk of clubfoot. A descriptive clinic-based study was conducted using structured questionnaires given to biological mothers of clinically confirmed clubfoot patients (n=72) and biological mothers of children between ages 0-18 with no first or second degree family history of clubfoot as controls (n=103). Phenotypic data from clubfoot subjects were also collected. We found that males were twice as likely to have clubfoot as females, and half of all clubfoot patients had bilateral clubfoot. There was no significant difference in the rate of left vs. right clubfoot. Infant birth in the winter months correlated with an increased risk of clubfoot (p=0.01476). Maternal characteristics found to be significantly associated with increased risk of clubfoot were young maternal age at conception (p=0.04369) and low maternal education (p=0.003245). Young paternal age also had a correlation with increased risk of clubfoot in the child (p=0.0371). Both paternal smoking (p=0.00001) and the presence of any household smoking (p=0.00003) were strongly associated with an increased risk of clubfoot.

Barriers to the Ponseti method in Peru: a two-year follow-up

Idiopathic clubfoot affects approximately 100,000 children each year and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The Ponseti method is an inexpensive, non-surgical treatment that, when executed correctly, is more than 95% effective; however, in Peru, a developing country where a low-cost alternative is greatly needed, physicians report up to 30% of patients do not complete treatment. This study involved semi-structured interviews with 25 physicians who practice the Ponseti Method in Peru to discuss obstacles for the method in their country. The most frequent obstacles to the Ponseti method in Peru reported by physicians included lack of physicians trained in the Ponseti method in the country, patient transportation and distance to treatment centers, and lack of parental knowledge of the Ponseti method. These data suggest the need to train more physicians in Peru, particularly in the provinces. Increasing access to trained physicians in provincial areas may reduce the financial and travel burden of parents to help increase compliance with treatment.

Alternative long-term markers for the detection of methyltestosterone misuse

Methyltestosterone (MT) is one of the most frequently detected anabolic androgenic steroids in doping control analysis. MT misuse is commonly detected by the identification of its two main metabolites excreted as glucuronide conjugates, 17α-methyl-5α-androstan-3α,17β-diol and 17α-methyl-5β-androstan-3α,17β-diol. The detection of these metabolites is normally performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, after previous hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase enzymes, extraction and derivatization steps. The aim of the present work was to study the sulphate fraction of MT and to evaluate their potential to improve the detection of the misuse of the drug in sports. MT was administered to healthy volunteers and urine samples were collected up to 30days after administration. After an extraction with ethyl acetate, urine extracts were analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionisation in negative mode by monitoring the transition m/z 385 to m/z 97. Three diol sulphate metabolites (S1, S2 and S3) were detected. Potential structures for these metabolites were proposed after solvolysis and mass spectrometric experiments: S1, 17α-methyl-5β-androstan-3α,17β-diol 3α-sulphate; S2, 17β-methyl-5α-androstan-3α,17α-diol 3α-sulphate; and S3, 17β-methyl-5β-androstan-3α,17α-diol 3α-sulphate. Synthesis of reference compounds will be required in order to confirm the structures. The retrospectivity of these sulphate metabolites in the detection of MT misuse was compared with the obtained with previously described metabolites. Metabolite S2 was detected up to 21days after MT administration, improving between 2 and 3 times the retrospectivity of the detection compared to the last long-term metabolite of MT previously described, 17α-hydroxy-17β-methylandrostan-4,6-dien-3-one.

New potential markers for the detection of boldenone misuse

Boldenone is one of the most frequently detected anabolic androgenic steroids in doping control analysis. Boldenone misuse is commonly detected by the identification of the active drug and its main metabolite, 5β-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one (BM1), by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), after previous hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase enzymes, extraction and derivatization steps. However, some cases of endogenous boldenone and BM1 have been reported. Nowadays, when these compounds are detected in urine at low concentrations, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) analysis is needed to confirm their exogenous origin. The aim of the present study was to identify boldenone metabolites conjugated with sulphate and to evaluate their potential to improve the detection of boldenone misuse in sports. Boldenone was administered to a healthy volunteer and urine samples were collected up to 56h after administration. After a liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, urine extracts were analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionisation in negative mode by monitoring the transition of m/z 365-350, specific for boldenone sulphate. Boldenone sulphate was identified in the excretion study urine samples and, moreover, another peak with the same transition was observed. Based on the MS/MS behaviour the metabolite was identified as epiboldenone sulphate. The identity was confirmed by isolation of the LC peak, solvolysis and comparison of the retention time and MS/MS spectra with an epiboldenone standard. These sulphated metabolites have not been previously reported in humans and although they account for less than 1% of the administered dose, they were still present in urine when the concentrations of the major metabolites, boldenone and BM1, were at the level of endogenous origin. The sulphated metabolites were also detected in 10 urine samples tested positive to boldenone and BM1 by GC-MS. In order to verify the usefulness of these new metabolites to discriminate between endogenous and exogenous origin of boldenone, four samples containing endogenous boldenone and BM1, confirmed by IRMS, were analysed. In 3 of the 4 samples, neither boldenone sulphate nor epiboldenone sulphate were detected, confirming that these metabolites were mainly detected after exogenous administration of boldenone. In contrast, boldenone sulphate and, in some cases, epiboldenone sulphate were present in samples with low concentrations of exogenous boldenone and BM1. Thus, boldenone and epiboldenone sulphates are additional markers for the exogenous origin of boldenone and they can be used to reduce the number of samples to be analysed by IRMS. In samples with boldenone and BM1 at the concentrations suspicion for endogenous origin, only if boldenone and epiboldenone sulphates are present, further analysis by IRMS will be needed to confirm exogenous origin.