Occurrence of ultrasonographic assessed placental abnormalities, treatments, pregnancy outcome, and subsequent fertility on a large warmblood stud farm: A retrospective field study

Little is known about the incidence and outcome of high-risk pregnancies in equine practice and clinical studies on spontaneous occurring placentitis cases and treatments are missing. Therefore, the aims of this retrospective field study were to (1) describe the incidence and severity of ultrasonographic assessed placental abnormalities (UPA) in 4,192 pregnancies on a large commercial warmblood stud farm in 2017 - 2019 and (2) characterize these UPA cases and their pregnancy outcome. UPA severity (Placental abnormality score (PSc) 1-3; low to high), nine treatment regimens (TM1-9) used in UPA cases and treatment duration as well as subsequent fertility were analyzed in the group of UPA mares. The proportion of pregnancies affected by UPA was 4.2 % (n=177/4192). Placental abnormality severity was scored as PSc1 (51.4 %), PSc2 (32.8 %) and PSc3 (15.8 %). The generalized mixed model revealed PSc was affected by mare age and mare status (own pregnancy (OP) or embryo transfer recipient (ER)) (P=0.035) with ER mares having increased PSc compared with mares having their own pregnancy. Abortion occurred in 17/177 (9.6 %) UPA pregnancies. Overall, at the end of the next season, 61.1 % of UPA mares were pregnant, 32.0 % barren, and 6.9 % open (n=175). Pregnancy was established in 62/91(68.1 %) of mares with PSc1, 31/58 (53.4 %) with PSc2 and 14/26 (53.8 %) with PSc3. Most pregnancies were achieved in the first 81/107 (75.7 %) or second 18/107 (16.8 %) inseminated cycle. In conclusion, early detection and treatment of ultrasonographic assessed placental abnormalities can save high-risk pregnancies in > 90 % of cases with a satisfying subsequent fertility.

Differences and similarities between COVID-19 related-headache and COVID-19 vaccine related-headache. A case-control study

INTRODUCTION

Headache is a frequent symptom at the acute phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and also one of the most frequent adverse effects following vaccination. In both cases, headache pathophysiology seems linked to the host immune response and could have similarities. We aimed to compare the clinical phenotype and the frequency and associated onset symptoms in patients with COVID-19 related-headache and COVID-19 vaccine related-headache.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-vaccine recipients who experienced new-onset headache were included. A standardised questionnaire was administered, including demographic variables, prior history of headaches, associated symptoms and headache-related variables. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and prior history of headache. A multivariate regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 238 patients fulfilled eligibility criteria (143 patients with COVID-19 related-headache and 95 subjects experiencing COVID-19 vaccine related-headache). Patients with COVID-19 related-headache exhibited a higher frequency of arthralgia, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, chest pain, expectoration, anosmia, myalgia, odynophagia, rhinorrhoea, cough, and dysgeusia. Further, patients with COVID-19 related-headache had a more prolonged daily duration of headache and described the headache as the worst headache ever experienced. Patients with COVID-19 vaccine-related headache, experienced more frequently pain in the parietal region, phonophobia, and worsening of the headache by head movements or eye movements.

CONCLUSION

Headache caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination related-headache have more similarities than differences, supporting a shared pathophysiology, and the activation of the innate immune response. The main differences were related to associated symptoms.

Durvalumab plus tremelimumab for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin

Single immune checkpoint blockade in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) shows limited efficacy; dual checkpoint blockade may improve treatment activity. Dune (NCT03095274) is a non-randomized controlled multicohort phase II clinical trial evaluating durvalumab plus tremelimumab activity and safety in advanced NENs. This study included 123 patients presenting between 2017 and 2019 with typical/atypical lung carcinoids (Cohort 1), G1/2 gastrointestinal (Cohort 2), G1/2 pancreatic (Cohort 3) and G3 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (Cohort 4) NENs; who progressed to standard therapies. Patients received 1500 mg durvalumab and 75 mg tremelimumab for up to 13 and 4 cycles (every 4 weeks), respectively. The primary objective was the 9-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) for cohorts 1-3 and 9-month overall survival (OS) rate for Cohort 4. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival according to irRECIST, overall survival, and safety. Correlation of PD-L1 expression with efficacy was exploratory. The 9-month CBR was 25.9%/35.5%/25% for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The 9-month OS rate for Cohort 4 was 36.1%, surpassing the futility threshold. Benefit in Cohort 4 was observed regardless of differentiation and Ki67 levels. PD-L1 combined scores did not correlate with treatment activity. Safety profile was consistent with that of prior studies. In conclusion, durvalumab plus tremelimumab is safe in NENs and shows modest survival benefit in G3 GEP-NENs; with one-third of these patients experiencing a prolonged OS.

Effect of sainfoin proanthocyanidins on milk fatty acids from ewes rearing suckling lambs

Proanthocyanidins (PAC) can modulate the fatty acid (FA) profile of animal products and make them healthier for human consumption, but their effects are highly variable depending on several factors such as PAC chemical structure or dose. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of PAC on the milk FA profile of Rasa Aragonesa ewes fed fresh sainfoin (PAC-containing forage legume) during the rearing period of suckling lambs (4 weeks postlambing). Twenty lactating ewes rearing a single male lamb were fed fresh sainfoin ad libitum plus 200 g/d of barley. Half the ewes were orally dosed with 100 mL of water (Sainfoin Group; n = 10) and the other half with polyethylene glycol (50 g PEG4000/100 mL water, Sainfoin + PEG Group; n = 10) to block PAC effects. Sainfoin and milk samples were collected weekly to determine their FA profile by gas chromatography. Fresh sainfoin contents of C18:3n-3 decreased from week 1 to week 2, C16:0 and C18:0 increased from week 1 to week 3, and C18:2n-6 did not change. Regarding milk FA, there were minor effects of PAC on milk-saturated FA. During the whole study, the presence of PAC increased C18:0, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n-6 and n-3, and decreased C18:1 t11, branched- and odd-chain FA. However, the decrease of milk concentrations of trans-monounsaturated FA, C18:1 t10, and total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the increase of total PUFA due to the presence of PAC occurred only in week 1, while CLA c9,t11 was lower during weeks 1 and 2. The canonical analyses confirmed the differences between treatments in the FA profile of milk. Overall, the use of fresh sainfoin in the diet of lactating ewes resulted in a beneficial modification of the concentration of several milk FAs, suggesting some changes in ruminal biohydrogenation.

Field pea can replace soybean meal-corn mixtures in the fattening concentrate of young bulls improving the digestibility

The inclusion of pea (Pisum sativum) in the fattening concentrate at 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% as a replacement for soybean meal and corn was evaluated on in vitro and in vivo digestibility studies of young Parda de Montaña bulls. In the in vitro trial, gas production was determined with an Ankom system for 48 h. The 30%pea and 45%pea concentrates increased the organic matter (OM) degradability, the ammonia-N content and the ratio of acetic:propionic, with no effect on gas production, final ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid production. In the in vivo assay, 4 young bulls (initial weight 251 ± 4 kg) received restricted amounts of concentrates plus straw during 4 consecutive experimental periods. No differences in intake were observed and 30%pea and 45%pea had higher digestibility of crude protein (CP), and OM than the rest of treatments. The nitrogen intake increased linearly with the inclusion of pea with similar nitrogen urinary and faecal excretions, and the nitrogen retained was greater in 30%pea and 45%pea than the rest of treatments. The plasma concentrations of IGF-1, total protein, β-hydroxybutyrate and urea at the beginning and at the end of each period were not affected by the inclusion of pea. In conclusion, the total replacement of soybean-corn mixtures by pea in the fattening concentrate of bulls could be recommended as it improved the CP digestibility and nitrogen retention.

Modelling beef cows' individual response to short nutrient restriction in different lactation stages

Short-term nutrient restrictions can occur naturally in extensive beef cattle production systems due to low feed quality or availability. The aims of the study were to (1) model the curves of milk yield, plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) contents of beef cows in response to short nutritional challenges throughout lactation; (2) identify clusters of cows with different response profiles; (3) quantify differences in cows' response between the clusters and lactation stages. Data of BW, body condition score (BCS), milk yield, NEFA, and BHB plasma concentration from 31 adult beef cows (626 ± 48 kg at calving) were used to study the effect of 4-day feed restriction repeated over months 2, 3 and 4 of lactation. On each month, all cows received a single diet calculated to meet the requirements of the average cow: 100 % requirements for 4 days (d-4 to d-1, basal period), 55 % requirements on the next 4 days (d0 to d3, restriction period) and 100 % requirements for 4 days (d4 to d7, refeeding period). Natural cubic splines were used to model the response of milk yield, NEFA and BHB to restriction and refeeding in the 3 months. The new response variables [baseline value, peak value, days to peak and to regain baseline, and areas under the curve (AUC) during restriction and refeeding] were used to cluster cows according to their metabolic response (MR) into two groups: Low MR and High MR. The month of lactation affected all the traits, and basal values decreased as lactation advanced. Cows from both clusters had similar BW and BCS values, but those in the High MR cluster had higher basal milk yield, NEFA and BHB contents, and responded more intensely to restriction, with more marked peaks and AUCs. Reaction times were similar, and baseline values recovered during refeeding in both clusters. Our results suggest that the response was driven by cows' milk potential rather than size or body reserves, and despite high-responding cattle's higher milk yield, they were able to activate metabolic pathways to respond to and recover from the challenge.

The Spanish version of the Home Environment Survey (HES) among families of children with overweight/obesity: a validation study

PURPOSE

The aim of this article was to validate the Spanish version of the Home Environment Survey (HES-S) and was divided in two studies: (1) to assess the reliability, convergent validity of HES-S in a survey of 145 parents of children with overweight/obesity; (2) to study the magnitude of the association between children's BMI status with the latent scores theoretically defined by the HES model.

METHODS

To test the scale and the model, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a path analysis were carried out among a sample of 156 parents of preadolescents (106 overweight/obesity and 50 normal-weight children). No CFA or EFA were carried out in the validation of the original instrument.

RESULTS

Study 1, both the Physical Activity and the Eating Habits components of the scale showed adequate levels of internal consistency for the majority of the scales, except for two. One of them, Healthy Eating Parental Policies (HEP) subscale was reduced after excluded two items, although it did not improve substantially. This model indicated that there was a significant association between the two Eating Habits scales and the child's weight status, but child's weight was not associated with the Physical Activity components. Convergent validity was confirmed by correlations with related variables: family eating habits (F-EAT), parent's physical activity (IPAQ), and children's physical activity (assessed via accelerometers during one week). Study 2, our results replicated the original four factor structure proposed for physical activity (CFI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.03), but the original factor structure of the eating habits component was not supported. In addition, the relationship of the child's weight status, the Physical Activity components, and the two scales of Eating Habits (Parental Modeling and Policies) was explored with a path analysis showing good fit indices (CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.06). Child's BMI was negatively associated with Healthy Eating Parental Role Modeling (r =  - 0.21) and with Healthy Eating Parental Policies (r =  - 0.19), but not with the factors of Child's Physical Activity model.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first instrument to assess obesogenic family environment in Spanish speaking countries, which is a relevant dimension within a health perspective so as to implement new policies and strategies in obesity tertiary prevention. Overall, the confirmatory factor analysis of the HES-S has only provided additional support for one part related to Physical Activity. In addition, Child's BMI was correlated with scales of Eating Habits but not with Child's Physical Activity factor. These results clearly suggest that further research is warranted.

LEVEL III

Case-control analytic study.

GOECP/SEOR radiotherapy guidelines for thymic epithelial tumours

Thymic epithelial tumours (TET) are rare, heterogeneous neoplasms that range from resectable indolent tumours to aggressive thymic carcinomas with a strong tendency to metastasize. The pathological diagnosis is complex, in part due to the existence of several different classification systems. The evidence base for the management of TETs is scant and mainly based on non-randomised studies and retrospective series. Consequently, the clinical management of TETs tends to be highly heterogenous, which makes it difficult to improve the evidence level. The role of technological advances in the field of radiotherapy and new systemic therapies in the treatment of TETs has received little attention to date. In the present clinical guidelines, developed by the GOECP/SEOR, we review recent developments in the diagnosis and classification of TETs. We also present a consensus-based therapeutic strategy for each disease stage that takes into consideration the best available evidence. These guidelines focus primarily on the role of radiotherapy, including recent advances, in the management of TETs. The main aim of this document is to promote the standardisation of clinical practice and lay the foundations for future studies to clarify the main unresolved questions related to the optimal management of TET.

Ruminal microbiota is associated with feed-efficiency phenotype of fattening bulls fed high-concentrate diets

Abstract Context Improving feed efficiency in livestock production is of great importance to reduce feeding costs. Aims To examine the relationship between ruminal microbiota and variation in feed efficiency in beef cattle fed concentrate-based diets. Methods Residual feed intake of 389 fattening bulls, supplied with corn-based concentrate and forage ad libitum, was used to estimate animals’ feed efficiency. Faeces and ruminal fluid samples, from 48 bulls chosen at random, were collected to estimate their forage intake and to determine their apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation and microbiota. Those animals with extreme values of feed efficiency (high-efficiency (HE, n = 12) and low-efficiency (LE, n = 13)) were subjected to further comparisons. Alpha biodiversity was calculated on the basis of the normalised sequence data. Beta diversity was approached through performing a canonical correspondence analysis based on log-transformed sequence data. Genera differential abundance was tested with an ANOVA-like differential expression analysis and genera interactions were determined applying the sparse correlations for compositional data technique. Key results No differences in dry matter intake were found between the two categories of feed efficiency (P = 0.699); however, HE animals had higher apparent digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.002), organic matter (P = 0.003) and crude protein (P = 0.043). The concentration of volatile fatty acids was unaffected by feed efficiency (P = 0.676) but butyrate proportion increased with time in LE animals (P = 0.047). Ruminal microbiota was different between HE and LE animals (P = 0.022); both α biodiversity and genera network connectance increased with time in LE bulls (P = 0.005 for Shannon index and P = 0.020 for Simpson index), which suggests that LE animals hosted a more robust ruminal microbiota. Certain genera usually related to high energy loss through methane production were found to establish more connections with other genera in LE animals’ rumen than in HE ones. Microbiota function capability suggested that methane metabolism was decreased in HE finishing bulls. Conclusions Rumen microbiota was associated with feed efficiency phenotypes in fattening bulls fed concentrate-based diets. Implications The possible trade-off between feed efficiency and robustness of ruminal microbiota should be taken into account for the optimisation of cattle production, especially in systems with intrinsic characteristics that may constitute a disturbance to rumen microbial community.

Phototherapy for Prurigo Nodularis: Our Experience and a Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by highly pruritic nodular lesions that cause constant itching and scratching and significant quality-of-life impairment. It has been described in a range of conditions, including skin diseases (mainly atopic dermatitis) and metabolic, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. The pathophysiological mechanisms are largely unknown. Various modalities of phototherapy have been described as appropriate and safe treatments for achieving clinical control and alleviating symptoms. In this article, we describe our experience with phototherapy in patients with prurigo nodularis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective observational study of patients who received their first cycle of phototherapy to treat prurigo nodularis between March 2011 and October 2019. Information was collected on epidemiological and clinical characteristics, concomitant treatments, type and duration of phototherapy, maximum dose reached, and response to treatment.

RESULTS

We studied 44 patients (30 women and 14 men) with a median age of 65.5years. The most common form of phototherapy used was narrowband UV-B phototherapy (34 cycles, 77.27%) followed by a combination of UV-B and UV-A phototherapy (8 cycles). Response to treatment was considered satisfactory (clearance rate of ≥75%) in 24 patients (55.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Phototherapy is a suitable treatment for prurigo nodularis in a considerable proportion of patients. It can be used as monotherapy or combined with other treatments.

Psychological well-being and weight-related teasing in childhood obesity: a case-control study

PURPOSE

The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase worldwide. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the psychological well-being and rates of teasing of Spanish children with obesity (OG) and compare them with their non-overweight peers (NG), and (2) analyze the mediating role of weight-related teasing on the relation between children's BMI z score and psychological well-being.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study included 50 preadolescents with obesity, matched with non-overweight children according to age, sex, and socioeconomic status, who were assessed via self-report instruments measuring anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and teasing.

RESULTS

The OG reported higher anxiety, depression, and teasing, and lower self-esteem. SEM revealed that children who scored worse on instruments assessing psychological well-being had higher BMI z scores. Weight-related teasing predicted poor psychological well-being scores and weight-related teasing mediated the relation between BMI and psychological well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rates of anxiety, depression, and weight-related teasing, as well as the low self-esteem, which was observed amongst the children with obesity, raise concerns about the quality of life of this population. Furthermore, the finding that weight-related teasing mediated the relationship between BMI and psychological well-being adds to a growing body of research, highlighting the harmful effects of weight-related stigma. Overall, these results highlight the importance of early intervention to assess for, and address, the presence of weight-related teasing and psychological well-being difficulties in preadolescents with obesity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, case-control study.

Limiting spread of COVID-19 in an orthopaedic department-a perspective from Spain

Besides national and international recommendations, orthopaedic departments face significant changes in daily activity and serious issues to maintain their standards in musculoskeletal care during the pandemic Covid-19 crisis that we are facing. This report retrospectively addresses measures that were progressively put in place to modify in a week time the activity of a busy orthopaedic department in a large tertiary university hospital in face of the pandemic. Surgical priorities and surgical outcomes are key aspects to consider. The experience may offer some insight to areas where the spread of the disease may be slower or delayed. Abrupt stop of scheduled surgery and clinics is useful to adapt an orthopaedic department to the overall hospital resource reorganization. Orthopaedic surgeons need to be aware of the risks to patients and personnel in view of underdiagnosed cases, which make pre-operative Covid-19 evaluation mandatory for all surgical cases.

A new scenario in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a SOG-GU consensus

BACKGROUND

This article describes and compares approved targeted therapies and the newer immunotherapy agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This article especially performs an in-depth review of currently available data for tivozanib, explaining its mechanism of action, its safety profile and its role as an efficacy drug in the management of renal cancer.

RESULTS

Despite the fact that the treatment of advanced RCC has been dramatically modified in recent years, durable remissions are scarce and it remains a lethal disease. For first- and second-line therapy, there is now growing evidence to guide the selection of the appropriate treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Several TKIs are standard of care at different settings. Among those approved TKIs, tivozanib has similar efficacy than others with a better safety profile. The use of prognostic factors is critical to the selection of optimal therapy.

Effect of preweaning diet on performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation around weaning in calves of two beef breeds

Context Good transition from suckling to high-concentrate diets is essential to avoid nutritional disorders during the fattening period of beef calves. Aims Assessing the optimal feeding strategies during the preweaning period of beef calves for an adequate adaptation to high-concentrate diets. Methods A total of 30 female beef calves (15 Parda de Montaña and 15 Pirenaica), managed under restricted suckling, were assigned to three preweaning diets (milk only [MO], milk plus hay [MH], milk plus concentrate [MC]), fed from the third month until weaning at 5 months. During the subsequent transition period (1 month), all animals received a fattening concentrate plus wheat straw ad libitum. Key results Milk intake did not differ among diets; solids intake was similar for MH and MC calves. Preweaning supplementation improved performance at the end of the suckling period (MC > MH > MO). During transition, concentrate intake was lower for MO calves; MH calves showed the lowest feed efficiency. At the end of transition, MC calves showed the highest liveweight and average daily gain (MC > MH = MO). Rumen pH at weaning did not differ from that at the end of transition in MC calves, whereas MH and MO animals showed lower values at the latter. Supplemented calves showed higher volatile fatty acids concentration than MO calves at weaning; MC calves showed the lowest values at the end of the transition period. Ammonia and lactic acid concentration at weaning was the highest for MO and MC calves respectively, with no differences between diets at the end of transition. Glucose and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were only affected by age; urea and β-hydroxybutyrate were affected by the interaction between diet and age. Economic profitability at weaning was higher for supplemented calves (MH = MC > MO), and ranked MC > MO > MH at the end of the transition. Gains during the suckling period, and hence the economic margin, were higher for Parda de Montaña than for Pirenaica calves; during transition the economic margin was similar. Conclusions Preweaning supplementation with concentrates is the most interesting option in terms of performance and profitability. Implications Preweaning solid supplementation increases calf performance and provides better rumen development, essential for a smooth transition to fattening diets.

The fatty acid composition of ewe milk or suckling lamb meat can be used to discriminate between ewes fed different diets

Thirty-nine ewe-lamb pairs were used to evaluate the effects of the diet of lactating ewes, the type of forage (pasture vs hay) and the inclusion of 10% quebracho in the concentrate on the fatty acid (FA) profile of their milk and the meat of their suckling lambs. The estimated forage–concentrate ratio was 80:20. Milk from pasture ewes had a higher percentage of saturated FAs (SFAs; 62.3 vs 56.5), lower percentages of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs; 30.4 vs 36.6) and n-6 polyunsaturated FAs, and a lower n-6:n-3 ratio (1.9 vs 2.3) than did that of hay ewes (P < 0.001). Meat of pasture lambs had higher percentages of total polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs; 23.0 vs 20.4; P < 0.05) and n-3 (7.0 vs 5.0; P < 0.001) and lower percentages of MUFAs (37.9 vs 41.8; P < 0.001) and n-6:n-3 (2.0 vs 2.8; P < 0.001) than did that of hay lambs. The inclusion of quebracho increased MUFAs in milk (P < 0.05) and decreased SFAs in meat (P < 0.05). Ewes were correctly classified to the different treatments by using the FA profile of milk (100% score outcome), and to a lesser extend by using the FA profile of lamb (82–100% score outcome); de novo synthesis of FAs in lamb muscle might have reduced the classification accuracy. In conclusion, forage type had a greater effect on the FA profiles of ewe milk and the meat of suckling lambs than did the inclusion of quebracho in the concentrate. To improve the classification of meat of suckling lamb, other biomarkers should be examined. These results are relevant for ewes farmed for the production of milk as well as lambs.

The effect of carcass weight on fatness and muscle and fat colour of male Ojinegra de Teruel light lambs

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increases in lamb carcass weight in 1-kg steps from 8 to 11 kg on carcass fatness, muscle colour, subcutaneous and renal fat colour, tissue composition of the thoracic limb, and intramuscular fatty acid composition. Sixty-two carcasses from Ojinegra de Teruel male lambs fed concentrates ad libitum and barley straw were used. Both carcass scores and renal fat weight increased with carcass weight (P = 0.0001), but the percentage increase in renal fat weight was twice that of fat scores. Renal fat was prone to store carotenoids earlier than caudal fat, resulting in increased chroma. With increasing carcass weight, muscle colour became less light (decreased L* (P = 0.0001) and an increased in chroma scores (P = 0.001). Increments of 1 kg of carcass weight led to noticeable changes in the M. rectus abdominis colour, except at the increment from 10 kg to 11 kg. Slaughtering lambs at light weights was found to be advisable because renal fat is not a valuable part of the carcass. The lean percentage of the thoracic limb did not increase with carcass weight, as the increased muscle:bone ratio (P = 0.0001) was offset by an increased fat percentage (especially the intermuscular fat %). Changes with increasing carcass weight in the proportions of the main fatty acids in intramuscular fat were small. Moreover, intramuscular fat did not change in quantity or quality. However, when selling carcasses at heavier weights is preferred, achieving carcasses of 11 kg rather than 10 kg was found to be advisable because the deposition of fat in both was similar. Breeds that deposit fat earlier than the breed used in this study should be fed low-energy diets to improve carcass quality. This feeding strategy could also be considered if fat deposition differs between sexes.

Meat quality of light lambs is more affected by the dam's feeding system during lactation than by the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening concentrate

The inclusion of natural antioxidants in the diet, through fresh forages or condensed tannins, might prolong meat shelf life and modify the meat quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dam's feeding system during lactation and the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening concentrate of male lambs on meat color, chemical composition, and lipid oxidation. Dams and their suckling lambs were fed indoors or allowed to graze on alfalfa or sainfoin until lambs reached 42 d old. Thereafter, the weaned lambs were fed concentrates with 5% quebracho or without quebracho until reaching 22 to 24 kg BW. Meat of suckling lambs from dam's fed indoors (Indoor lambs) presented greater intramuscular fat content and lower α-tocopherol content than meat of suckling lambs from dam's fed Alfalfa (Alfalfa lambs) and Sainfoin (Sainfoin lambs; < 0.01), independent of the fattening diet. Regarding meat color of longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle, on average, Indoor lambs' meat presented greater lightness, yellowness, and hue angle values than Alfalfa and Sainfoin lambs' meat ( < 0.05). The redness was affected by the interaction between the feeding system during lactation and the time of storage, but, on average, Alfalfa and Sainfoin lambs had greater redness than Indoor lambs ( < 0.05). The lipid oxidation from 5 to 14 d of meat display time observed for Sainfoin lambs was lower than that for Indoor lambs ( < 0.05). The intramuscular fatty acid profile of meat from the Sainfoin and Alfalfa lambs met particularly well the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recommendation for human health, compared that of meat from the Indoor lambs. The dietary inclusion of quebracho during fattening modified meat α-tocopherol content, oxymyoglobin levels after 8 d of storage, and fatty acid profiles. In conclusion, the results indicate higher importance of the diet during suckling than during the subsequent fattening period on meat quality parameters such as color, lipid oxidation, and fatty acid profile. Dams grazing Sainfoin provide a more stable lamb meat, and it would be cheaper to feed the dams with fresh forages with a high α-tocopherol content than supplementing the concentrate of the lambs with synthetic α-tocopherol.

Lung adenocarcinoma during pregnancy: clinical case and literature review

Lung cancer during pregnancy is a very rare disease with less than 70 cases published to date. Information about specific lung cancer as adenocarcinoma is even more limited. Genetic techniques can detect oncogene mutations which seem to be more frequent among cases of lung cancer in pregnant women and could determine both the treatment and prognosis. We present a recent case seen at our hospital and a literature review.

Milk yield and genomewide expression profiling in the mammary gland of beef primiparous cows in response to the dietary management during the pre- and postweaning periods

Accelerated growth programs during prepubertal periods have been promoted to advance the first calving of beef heifers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate nutrition-induced changes on first lactation milk yield and composition and on gene expression of the mammary gland in Parda de Montaña primiparous cows. Female calves ( = 16) were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. In the preweaning period (PRE-W; 0-6 mo), female calves were either fed a creep feed supplement (Creep) or fed only their dam's milk (Control). In the postweaning period (POST-W; 6-15 mo), heifers received either a high-energy diet (91.7 MJ/d) or a moderate-energy diet (79.3 MJ/d). All the heifers were managed together from breeding (15 mo) to the end of their first lactation (32 mo). Animal performance; milk production and quantity during the first lactation; plasma glucose, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations; and RNA samples from the mammary gland at the end of the first lactation of the primiparous cows (32 mo) were analyzed. The BW and ADG of the primiparous cow during its first lactation were not different among treatments; however, creep feeding during PRE-W reduced milk production ( < 0.01), milk CP, crude fat, lactose, nonfat solids, and casein content throughout lactation and increased somatic cell count in the third ( < 0.05) and fourth month of lactation ( < 0.10). The energy level during the POST-W had no effect on milk production and quality. Gene expression in the mammary gland was affected by the diet in the PRE-W and POST-W, with the PRE-W diet having the greatest impact. During the PRE-W, creep feeding resulted in upregulation of genes related to immune response and chemokine activity, suggesting that these animals might be in a compromised immune status. Therefore, this strategy would not be recommendable; meanwhile, increasing the energy level in the diet during the POST-W would be recommendable, because it had no deleterious effects on milk yield and composition.

Simultaneous determination of carotenoids, tocopherols, retinol and cholesterol in ovine lyophilised samples of milk, meat, and liver and in unprocessed/raw samples of fat

An accurate, fast, economic and simple method to determine carotenoids, tocopherols, retinol and cholesterol in lyophilised samples of ovine milk, muscle and liver and raw samples of fat, which are difficult to lyophilise, is sought. Those analytes have been studied in animal tissues to trace forage feeding and unhealthy contents. The sample treatment consisted of mild overnight saponification, liquid-liquid extraction, evaporation with vacuum evaporator and redissolution. The quantification of the different analytes was performed by the use of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector for carotenoids, retinol and cholesterol and fluorescence detector for tocopherols. The retention times of the analytes were short and the resolution between analytes was very high. The limits of detection and quantification were very low. This method is suitable for all the matrices and analytes and could be adapted to other animal species with minor changes.

Characterization of a Dual Rac/Cdc42 Inhibitor MBQ-167 in Metastatic Cancer

The Rho GTPases Rac (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate) and Cdc42 (cell division control protein 42 homolog) regulate cell functions governing cancer malignancy, including cell polarity, migration, and cell-cycle progression. Accordingly, our recently developed Rac inhibitor EHop-016 (IC₅₀, 1,100 nmol/L) inhibits cancer cell migration and viability and reduces tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in vivo Herein, we describe MBQ-167, which inhibits Rac and Cdc42 with IC₅₀ values of 103 and 78 nmol/L, respectively, in metastatic breast cancer cells. Consequently, MBQ-167 significantly decreases Rac and Cdc42 downstream effector p21-activated kinase (PAK) signaling and the activity of STAT3, without affecting Rho, MAPK, or Akt activities. MBQ-167 also inhibits breast cancer cell migration, viability, and mammosphere formation. Moreover, MBQ-167 affects cancer cells that have undergone epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by a loss of cell polarity and inhibition of cell surface actin-based extensions to ultimately result in detachment from the substratum. Prolonged incubation (120 hours) in MBQ-167 decreases metastatic cancer cell viability with a GI₅₀ of approximately 130 nmol/L, without affecting noncancer mammary epithelial cells. The loss in cancer cell viability is due to MBQ-167-mediated G₂-M cell-cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis, especially of the detached cells. In vivo, MBQ-167 inhibits mammary tumor growth and metastasis in immunocompromised mice by approximately 90%. In conclusion, MBQ-167 is 10× more potent than other currently available Rac/Cdc42 inhibitors and has the potential to be developed as an anticancer drug, as well as a dual inhibitory probe for the study of Rac and Cdc42. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 805-18. ©2017 AACR.

Phase matching effects in high harmonic generation at the nanometer scale

Plasmon resonances are known to amplify the electromagnetic fields near metallic nanostructures, providing a promising scheme to generate extreme-ultraviolet harmonics using low power drivings. During high-order harmonic generation (HHG), the driving and harmonic fields accumulate a phase difference as they propagate through the target. In a typical set-up -a laser focused into a gas jet- the propagation distances amount to several wavelengths, and the cumulative phase-mismatch affects strongly the efficiency and properties of the harmonic emission. In contrast, HHG in metallic nanostructures is considered to overcome these limitations, as the common sources of phase mismatch -optical density and focusing geometry- are negligible for subwavelength propagation distances. We demonstrate that phase matching still plays a relevant role in HHG from nanostructures due to the non-perturbative character of HHG, that links the harmonic phase to the intensity distribution of the driving field. Our computations show that widely used applications of phase matching control, such as quantum path selection and the increase of contrast in attosecond pulse generation, are also feasible at the nanoscale.

Frequency gating to isolate single attosecond pulses with overdense plasmas using particle-in-cell simulations

We present the isolation of single attosecond pulses for multi-cycle and few-cycle laser pulses from high harmonic generation in overdense plasmas, calculated with particle-in-cell simulations. By the combination of two laser pulses of equal amplitude and a small frequency shift between them, we demonstrate that it is possible to shorten the region in which the laser pulse is most intense, therefore restricting the generation of high harmonic orders in the form of attosecond pulses to a narrower time window. The creation of this window is achieved due to the combination of the laser pulse envelope and the slow oscillating wave obtained from the coherent sum of the two pulses. A parametric scan, performed with particle-in-cell simulations, reveals how the pulse isolation behaves for different input laser pulse lengths and which are the optimal frequency shifts between the two laser pulses in each case, giving the conditions for having a good isolation of an attosecond pulse when working with laser-plasma interaction in overdense targets.

[Prevalence of human papillomavirus in Spanish women from a population screening program]

OBJECTIVE

The human papillomavirus (HPV), is necessary to cause a woman developing cervical cancer. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of women with HPV infection, covered by the program of prevention and early detection of cervical cancer of Castile and León (Spain).

METHODS

Samples of women included in the screening program were analyzed. Including a total of 120,326 cervical swab samples, collected in the period from January 2012 to December 2014.

RESULTS

12,183 HPV positive samples were detected, representing a prevalence of 9.6 ‰, (IC 95% 9.5%-9.8%) in the female population. High-risk HPV were found in higher proportion that HPV low-risk genotypes. HPV prevalence correlates inversely with women age. Coinfections of multiple genotypes were found in one third of screened women population.

CONCLUSIONS

Data showed in this study are the first and wider Spanish results from a cervical cancer screening program population non opportunistic based on HPV detection. These results would serve as a reference for future prevalence studies and to evaluate the future impact of HPV vaccination campaigns.