Why copper catalyzes electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia.

Electrochemical reduction of nitrate (NO3RR) has drawn significant attention in the scientific community as an attractive route for ammonia synthesis as well as alleviating environmental concerns for nitrate pollution. To improve the efficiency of this process, the development of catalyst materials that exhibit high activity and selectivity is of paramount importance. Copper and copper-based catalysts have been widely investigated as potential catalyst materials for this reaction both computationally and experimentally. However, less attention has been paid to understanding the reasons behind such high activity and selectivity. Herein, we use Density Functional Theory (DFT) to identify reactivity descriptors guiding the identification of active catalysts for the NO3RR, establish trends in activity, and explain why copper is the most active and selective transition metal for the NO3RR to ammonia among ten different transition metals, namely Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ni, Ir, Rh, Ru, and Co. Furthermore, we assess NO3RR selectivity by taking into account the competition between the NO3RR and the hydrogen evolution reaction. Finally, we propose various approaches for developing highly active catalyst materials for the NO3RR.

Using Drosophila Models and Tools to Understand the Mechanisms of Novel Human Cancer Driver Gene Function.

The formation, overgrowth and metastasis of tumors comprise a complex series of cellular and molecular events resulting from the combined effects of a variety of aberrant signaling pathways, mutations, and epigenetic alterations. Modeling this complexity in vivo requires multiple genes to be manipulated simultaneously, which is technically challenging. Here, we analyze how Drosophila research can further contribute to identifying pathways and elucidating mechanisms underlying novel cancer driver (risk) genes associated with tumor growth and metastasis in humans.

Bacteraemia and antibiotic-resistant pathogens in community acquired pneumonia: risk and prognosis.

The sensitivity of blood cultures in the diagnosis of bacteraemia for community-acquired pneumonia is low. Recommendations, by guidelines, to perform blood cultures are discordant. We aimed to determine the incidence, microbial aetiology, risk factors and outcomes of bacteraemic patients with community-acquired pneumonia, including cases with antibiotic-resistant pathogens (ARP). A prospective, observational study was undertaken on consecutive adult patients admitted to the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain) with community-acquired pneumonia and blood cultures were obtained. Of the 2892 patients included, bacteraemia was present in 297 (10%) patients; 30 (10%) of whom had ARP (multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and an extended spectrum of beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae). In multivariate analyses, pleuritic pain, C-reactive protein ≥21.6 mg·dL(-1) and intensive care unit admissions were independently associated with bacteraemia, while prior antibiotic treatment and pneumococcal vaccine were protective factors. The risk factors for ARP bacteraemia were previous antibiotics and C-reactive protein <22.2 mg·dL(-1), while pleuritic pain was the only protective factor in the multivariate analysis. Bacteraemia (excluding ARP), appropriate empiric treatment, neurological disease, arterial oxygen tension/inspiratory oxygen fraction <250, pneumonia severity index risk classes IV and V, and intensive care unit admission were independently associated with a 30-day hospital mortality in the multivariate analysis. Inappropriate therapy was more frequent in ARP bacteraemia, compared with other bacteraemias (27% versus 3%, respectively, p<0.001). Antibiotic therapy protected against bacteraemia, but increased specifically the risk of bacteraemia from ARP due to the inappropriate coverage of these pathogens. Identifying patients at risk of ARP bacteraemia would help in deciding appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy. The results from this study provide evidence concerning community-acquired pneumonia patients in whom blood cultures should not be performed.

Community-acquired lung respiratory infections in HIV-infected patients: microbial aetiology and outcome.

We describe the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in HIV-infected patients, risk factors for bacterial or Pneumocystis jirovecii CAP and prognostic factors of 30-day mortality. This was a prospective observational study of 331 consecutive adult CAP cases in HIV-infected patients (January 2007 to July 2012). 128 (39%) patients had CD4(+) cell counts <200 per mm(3) and 99 (43%) ha HIV RNA levels <200 copies per mL on antiretroviral therapy. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequent microorganism in the group with CD4(+) cell counts ≥ 200 per mm(3); P. jirovecii was the most frequent microorganism in the group with CD4(+) cell counts <200 per mm(3) and in patients with HIV RNA ≥ 200 copies per mL. Predictors of bacterial CAP were: time with symptoms ≤ 5 days (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.4), C-reactive protein level ≥ 22 mg·dL(-1) (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.3-8.2) and hepatitis C virus co-infection (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.9). White blood cell count ≤ 4 × 10(12) per L (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.5), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level ≥ 598 U·L(-1) (OR 12.9, 95% CI 4.2-39.7) and multilobar infiltration (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.9-19.5) were predictors of P. jirovecii. Overall 30-day mortality was 7%. Appropriate antibiotic treatment (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.03-0.4), LDH ≥ 598 U·L(-1) (OR 6.2, 95% CI 1.8-21.8) and mechanical ventilation (OR 22.0, 95% CI 6.2-78.6) were the variables independently associated with 30-day mortality. The described predictors may help clinicians to distinguish between bacterial and P. jirovecii pneumonia in patients with suspected or confirmed HIV infection.

[Social inequalities related to road traffic mortality]. / Desigualdades sociales relacionadas con la mortalidad por accidentes de tráfico.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the social inequalities related to mortality from traffic accidents reported in scientific publications. METHOD: A scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR guide was carried out. Using the MesH vocabulary, we systematically searched for articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish published in the EBSCO, Scielo, Scopus, Ovid, and PubMed databases. RESULTS: We identified 47,790 records in the initial search, of which 35 articles met the selection criteria. Nine out ten publications are in high-income countries; there is a greater interest in analyzing mortality in occupants and drivers of vehicles and motorcyclists. Half of the publications use race-ethnicity and geolocation as socioeconomic position variables. The articles included in this review indicate that groups of people with low socioeconomic positions have higher mortality due to traffic accidents. CONCLUSIONS: The highest mortality from traffic accidents occurs in people with low socioeconomic positions which suggests the development of road safety actions from a comprehensive, integrative perspective and linked to other political agendas to reduce their incidence by 2030. Although road traffic fatalities are higher in low and middle-income countries, few publications are available in these countries. It is necessary to strengthen the research capacities in these countries.

FGF signalling as a mediator of lineage transitions--evidence from embryonic stem cell differentiation.

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling pathway is one of the most ubiquitous in biology. It has diverse roles in development, differentiation and cancer. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are in vitro cell lines capable of differentiating into all the lineages of the conceptus. As such they have the capacity to differentiate into derivatives of all three germ layers and to some extent the extra-embryonic lineages as well. Given the prominent role of FGF signalling in early embryonic development, we explore the role of this pathway in early ES cell differentiation towards the major lineages of the embryo. As early embryonic differentiation is intricately choreographed at the level of morphogenetic movement, adherent ES cell culture affords a unique opportunity to study the basic steps in early lineage specification in the absence of ever shifting complex in vivo microenvironments. Thus recent experiments in ES cell differentiation are able to pinpoint specific FGF dependent lineage transitions that are difficult to resolve in vivo. Here we review the role of FGF signalling in early development alongside the ES cell data and suggest that FGF dependent signalling via phospho-Erk activation maybe a major mediator of transitions in lineage specification.

Institutional practices in maternal health according to social class. Bogotá, Colombia, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To understand institutional practices in healthcare as relates to women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period according to social class in Bogota. METHODS: Qualitative study based on the critical hermeneutics paradigm. Critical ethnographic method with theoretical sampling. The participants included 9 women and 8 health-care professionals from the city of Bogotá, attending public and private healthcare institutions that serve populations under both the subsidized as well as the contributive regimes of the General Social Security System. Overall, 38 in-depth interviews were conducted during a 13 month period, with 62 instances of support to the mothers in terms of prenatal care, vaccination, labor, postpartum visits, follow-up tests, psychoprophylactic course, hospitalization and waiting room. Triangulation analysis on Atlas Ti. RESULTS: Taking into account the discourse of the different players, observations and context, two categories were found to be determining factors of inequities: "Market-regulated health" and "Over- sight and control in health services". CONCLUSIONS: It is advisable in medical practice to build competencies in the population in order to ensure the realization of the rights of women and healthcare personnel. Qualitative research offers the opportunity to promote the transformation of medical rationale affecting women.

TITULO: PRÁCTICAS INSTITUCIONALES EN SALUD EN MATERNAS SEGÚN CLASE SOCIAL. BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA, 2018. OBJETIVO: Comprender las prácticas institucionales en salud que se realizan en las mujeres en embarazo parto y posparto, según la clase social, en Bogotá. METODOS: Estudio cualitativo, desde el paradigma de la hermenéutica crítica. Método de etnografía crítica, con muestreo teórico. Participaron 9 mujeres y 8 profesionales de la salud de la ciudad de Bogotá, que asistieron a instituciones públicas y privadas, pertenecientes a los regímenes subsidiado y contributivo del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSS). Se realizaron 38 entrevistas a profundidad durante 13 meses y 62 acompañamientos a las maternas en las actividadesde control prenatal, vacunación, trabajo de parto, consulta posparto, exámenes de seguimiento, curso psicoprofiláctico, hospitalización y sala de espera, tanto en servicios públicos como privados. Análisis por triangulación en Atlas Ti. RESULTADOS: Teniendo en cuenta los discursos de los actores, la observación participante y el contexto, se encontraron dos categorías que determinan estas inequidades, denominadas el mercado regula la salud, y la vigilancia y el control en los servicios de salud. CONCLUSIONES: En la práctica médica es conveniente fortalecer las competencias ciudadanas para garantizar los derechos del personal de salud y de las mujeres. Estudiar desde la investigación cualitativa es una oportunidad para promover la transformación de las racionalidades médicas que afectan a las mujeres.

One hundred years of Drosophila cancer research: no longer in solitude.

When Mary Stark first described the presence of tumours in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster in 1918, would she ever have imagined that flies would become an invaluable organism for modelling and understanding oncogenesis? And if so, would she have expected it to take 100 years for this model to be fully accredited? This Special Article summarises the efforts and achievements of Drosophilists to establish the fly as a valid model in cancer research through different scientific periods.

Swine welfare at slaughterhouses in Valle de Aburrá (Colombia).

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) makes recommendations related to the slaughter of animals for human consumption. Colombia has some regulations on animal welfare in slaughterhouses. This study assessed welfare of pigs in slaughterhouses in Valle de Aburrá, Colombia using measures from existing welfare protocols (Welfare Quality: Assessment protocol for pigs; Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide for Cattle, Pig and Sheep). The objective was to determine the degree of compliance with some welfare protocols recommendation (Welfare Quality. Assessment protocol for pigs and Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide for Cattle, Pig and Sheep) in regards to welfare of pigs in slaughterhouses in Valle de Aburrá, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from four slaughterhouses during 2017. Univariable analysis was performed, depending on the type of variable. Frequency distribution was assessed for descriptive variables, while quantity variables were assessed by central tendency and dispersion measures. It was found that electric prods are often used for moving pigs to lairage pens and to stunning area, the animals remain in lairage pens in too high stocking densities and also some signs related to inadequate loss of consciousness during stunning were shown. Some pigs were kept more than 10 h in lairage pens and some did not have access to water. Skin lesions occurred in 93.6% of the observed animals. It is concluded that the assessed slaughterhouses do not manage to keep animal welfare on a required level.

PI3K/Akt Cooperates with Oncogenic Notch by Inducing Nitric Oxide-Dependent Inflammation.

The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, Notch, and other oncogenes cooperate in the induction of aggressive cancers. Elucidating how the PI3K/Akt pathway facilitates tumorigenesis by other oncogenes may offer opportunities to develop drugs with fewer side effects than those currently available. Here, using an unbiased in vivo chemical genetic screen in Drosophila, we identified compounds that inhibit the activity of proinflammatory enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and lipoxygenase (LOX) as selective suppressors of Notch-PI3K/Akt cooperative oncogenesis. Tumor silencing of NOS and LOX signaling mirrored the antitumor effect of the hit compounds, demonstrating their participation in Notch-PI3K/Akt-induced tumorigenesis. Oncogenic PI3K/Akt signaling triggered inflammation and immunosuppression via aberrant NOS expression. Accordingly, activated Notch tumorigenesis was fueled by hampering the immune response or by NOS overexpression to mimic a protumorigenic environment. Our lead compound, the LOX inhibitor BW B70C, also selectively killed human leukemic cells by dampening the NOTCH1-PI3K/AKT-eNOS axis.

Tensiones éticas, causas y consecuencias del síndrome de burnout en el personal de salud en tiempos de la Covid-19: una revisión y análisis desde la bioética

esta es una revisión bibliométrica sobre el síndrome de burnout que afectó a profesionales de la salud en tiempos de la Covid-19, los conflictos éticos que lo preceden y suceden, y las estrategias para combatirlo. Metodología/ enfoque: se hizo una revisión bibliométrica en la que se identificaron, de manera sistemática, artículos de revisión, estudios transversales, metaanálisis y estudios cualitativos de todo el mundo. Una vez aplicados los filtros de selección, se analizaron los resultados con el método deliberativo de Diego Gracia. Resultados: se identificaron cuatro subtemas principales, incidencia del burnout durante la pandemia de la Covid-19, estresores éticos que favorecen al síndrome de burnout, consecuencias de este síndrome y estrategias para prevenirlo y combatirlo. Cada subtema se describe desde los ámbitos individuales, institucionales y sociales. Discusión/conclusiones: se argumenta con la teoría de Diego Gracia y se presenta una jerarquización de principios éticos implicados en el burnout, existen factores que favorecen la aparición de esta enfermedad profesional con un profundo calado bioético, en el que subyacen problemas de reconocimiento moral y económico, equidad, seguridad laboral, deber de cuidar, buena práctica médica y el bienestar del paciente, la familia y la sociedad en general. De igual, forma, las consecuencias del síndrome tienen repercusiones en los ámbitos sociales, institucionales e individuales, por lo que las intervenciones para su prevención y atención deben de igual forma tener un enfoque pluralista y diverso desde lo macro, meso y micro. En este sentido, es necesario fortalecer las estrategias de investigación y educación, para comprender, explicar y abordar el fenómeno de una forma integral.

this is a bibliometric review of the burnout syndrome that affected health professionals during Covid-19, the ethical conflicts that precede and follow it, and the strategies to combat it. Methodology/approach: a bibliometric review was carried out in which review articles, cross-sectional studies, meta-analyses, and qualitative studies from all over the world were systematically identified. Once the selection filters were applied, the results were analyzed using Diego Gracia's deliberative method. Results: four main subthemes were identified: incidence of burnout during the Covid-19 pandemic, ethical stressors that favor burnout syndrome, consequences of this syndrome, and strategies to prevent and combat it. Each subtopic is described from the individual, institutional, and societal levels. Discussion/conclusions: it is argued with Diego Gracia's theory, and a hierarchy of ethical principles involved in burnout is presented; some factors favor the appearance of this professional disease with a deep bioethical significance, in which problems of moral and economic recognition, equity, job security, the duty of care, good medical practice and the welfare of the patient, the family and society in general underlie. Similarly, the consequences of the syndrome have repercussions in the social, institutional, and individual spheres, so interventions for its prevention and care must also have a pluralistic and diverse approach from the macro, meso, and micro levels. In this sense, it is necessary to strengthen research and education strategies to understand, explain, and comprehensively address the phenomenon.

esta é uma revisão bibliométrica sobre a síndrome de burnout que afetou profissionais da saúde em tempos da covid-19, os conflitos éticos que a precedem e sucedem, e as estratégias para combatê-la. Metodologia/abordagem: é feita uma revisão bibliométrica na qual foram identificados, de maneira sistemática, artigos de revisão, estudos transversais, metanálise e estudos qualitativos de todo o mundo. Uma vez aplicados os filtros de seleção, foram analisados os resultados com o método deliberativo de Diego Gracia. Resultados: foram identificados quatro subtemas principais: incidência do burnout durante a pandemia da covid-19, estressores éticos que favorecem a síndrome de burnout, consequências dessa síndrome e estratégias para preveni-lo e combatê-lo. Cada subtema é descrito a partir dos âmbitos individuais, institucionais e sociais. Discussão/conclusões: é argumentada com a teoria de Diego Gracia e é apresentada uma hierarquização de princípios éticos implicados no burnout; existem fatores que favorecem o surgimento dessa doença profissional com um profundo silêncio bioético, no qual subjazem problemas de reconhecimento moral e econômico, equidade, segurança profissional, dever de cuidar, boa prática médica e bem-estar do paciente, da família e da sociedade em geral. Além disso, as consequências da síndrome têm repercussões nos âmbitos sociais, institucionais e individuais, razão pela qual as intervenções para sua prevenção e atenção devem de igual forma ter uma abordagem pluralista e diverso a partir do macro, meso e micro. Nesse sentido, é necessário fortalecer as estratégias de pesquisa e educação, para compreender, explicar e abordar o fenômeno de uma forma integral.

Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) prevents ethanol (EtOH) induced B92 glial cell death by both PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways.

We investigated the neuroprotective effect of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) upon alcohol-exposed B92 cultures, as well as the role of the cytoskeleton and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in this effect. Ethanol (EtOH) was added to cultures, either alone or in combination with 30 ng/ml GDNF. Exposure to EtOH (86 and 172 mM; 60 and 120 min) increased the frequency of apoptotic cells identified by nuclear DNA staining with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cultures treated with GDNF showed a decrease in ethanol-induced apoptosis. A jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is activated by EtOH and their pharmacological inhibition (by SP600125) neutralized ethanol-induced apoptosis, suggesting a role for JNK in EtOH neurotoxicity. Immunocytochemically detected phospho-JNK (p-JNK) showed an unusual filamental expression, and localized together with actin stress fibers. Examination of the cytoskeleton showed that EtOH depolymerized actin filaments, inducing p-JNK dissociation and translocation to the nucleus, which suggests that released p-JNK may contribute to glial cell death after EtOH exposure. Treatment with GDNF, in turn, may neutralize the ethanol-induced cell death pathway. Either a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway inhibitor (LY294002) or an inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1, 2 pathways (UO126) failed to neutralize GDNF protective effects. However, the simultaneous use of both inhibitors blocked the protective effect of GDNF, suggesting a role for both signaling cascades in the GDNF protection. These findings provide further insight into the mechanism involved in ethanol-induced apoptosis and the neurotrophic protection of glial cells.

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Ventral Foregut Precursors.

Anterior definitive endoderm (ADE), the ventral foregut precursor, is both an important embryonic signaling center and a unique multipotent precursor of liver, pancreas, and other organs. Here, a method is described for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to definitive endoderm with pronounced anterior character. ADE-containing cultures can be produced in vitro by suspension (embryoid body) culture or in a serum-free adherent monolayer culture. ESC-derived ADE cells are committed to endodermal fates and can undergo further differentiation in vitro towards ventral foregut derivatives.

Institutional practices in maternal health according to social class. Bogotá, Colombia, 2018 / Prácticas institucionales en salud en maternas según clase social. Bogotá, Colombia, 2018

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comprender las prácticas institucionales en salud que se realizan en las mujeres en embarazo parto y posparto, según la clase social, en Bogotá. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cualitativo, desde el paradigma de la hermenéutica crítica. Método de etnografía crítica, con muestreo teórico. Participaron 9 mujeres y 8 profesionales de la salud de la ciudad de Bogotá, que asistieron a instituciones públicas y privadas, pertenecientes a los regímenes subsidiado y contributivo del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSS). Se realizaron 38 entrevistas a profundidad durante 13 meses y 62 acompañamientos a las maternas en las actividadesde control prenatal, vacunación, trabajo de parto, consulta posparto, exámenes de seguimiento, curso psicoprofiláctico, hospitalización y sala de espera, tanto en servicios públicos como privados. Análisis por triangulación en Atlas Ti. Resultados: Teniendo en cuenta los discursos de los actores, la observación participante y el contexto, se encontraron dos categorías que determinan estas inequidades, denominadas el mercado regula la salud, y la vigilancia y el control en los servicios de salud. Conclusiones: En la práctica médica es conveniente fortalecer las competencias ciudadanas para garantizar los derechos del personal de salud y de las mujeres. Estudiar desde la investigación cualitativa es una oportunidad para promover la transformación de las racionalidades médicas que afectan a las mujeres.

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand institutional practices in healthcare as relates to women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period according to social class in Bogota. Materials and methods: Qualitative study based on the critical hermeneutics paradigm. Critical ethnographic method with theoretical sampling. The participants included 9 women and 8 health-care professionals from the city of Bogotá, attending public and private healthcare institutions that serve populations under both the subsidized as well as the contributive regimes of the General Social Security System. Overall, 38 in-depth interviews were conducted during a 13 month period, with 62 instances of support to the mothers in terms of prenatal care, vaccination, labor, postpartum visits, follow-up tests, psychoprophylactic course, hospitalization and waiting room. Triangulation analysis on Atlas Ti. Results: Taking into account the discourse of the different players, observations and context, two categories were found to be determining factors of inequities: "Market-regulated health" and "Over- sight and control in health services". Conclusions: It is advisable in medical practice to build competencies in the population in order to ensure the realization of the rights of women and healthcare personnel. Qualitative research offers the opportunity to promote the transformation of medical rationale affecting women.

Transporte de cerdos y sus repercusiones en el bienestar animal y la producción cárnica / Transportation of pigs and its impact on animal welfare and meat production / Transporte de suínos e suas repercussões no bem-estar animal e em produtos de carne

Resumen: Cuando se pretende generar un buen desempeño productivo y reproductivo en la producción pecuaria porcina, el bienestar animal es un eje transversal de gran importancia. La fase de transporte es un eslabón esencial en la producción porcina que repercute en la calidad y rendimiento de la carne. Es necesario conocer los factores que pueden estar afectándola, como la densidad de carga, la duración del trayecto y la vibración generada en el camión, los pisos, las paredes y las divisiones internas, que favorecen las situaciones de estrés en los cerdos. En estos, al encontrarse expuestos a ayuno y agua, en un ambiente desconocido, con poco espacio, sometidos a diferentes métodos de manipulación, se incrementan las pérdidas en las canales al ocasionarles traumatismos, muertes y generación de productos cárnicos con defectos como las carnes pálidas, suaves y exudativas o, por el contrario, carnes duras, secas y oscuras. Es necesario generar nuevos sistemas de evaluación y seguimiento en el transporte de porcinos, para así disminuir su mortalidad y daños de la canal con intervenciones a partir del bienestar animal.

Abstract: When trying to generate good productive and reproductive performance in swine livestock production, animal welfare is a transversal axis of great importance. The transportation phase is an essential step in swine production that affects meat quality and productivity. It is necessary to know the factors that may be affecting it, such as cargo density, duration of the journey, and vibration generated in the truck, floors, walls, and internal divisions, which favor stress situations in pigs. In these animals, when exposed to lack of food and water, an unfamiliar environment, with little space, and subjected to different methods of handling, there are increased losses in carcass weight due to injuries, death, and defective meat products, such as pale, soft, and exudative meat, or, conversely, tough, dry, and dark meat. It is necessary to create new evaluation and monitoring systems in the transportation of pigs, in order to reduce mortality and damage to carcass with interventions from animal welfare.

Resumo: Quando se pretende gerar um bom desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo na produção pecuária porcina, o bem-estar animal é um eixo e transversal de grande importância. A fase de transporte é um fator essencial na produção porcina que repercute na qualidade e rendimento da carne. É necessário conhecer os fatores que podem estar afetando-a, como a densidade de carga, a duração do trajeto e a vibração gerada no caminhão, os pisos, as paredes e as divisões internas, que favorecem as situações de estresse nos cerdos. Nestes, ao encontrar-se expostos ao jejum e água, em um ambiente desconhecido, com pouco espaço, submetidos a diferentes métodos de manipulação, assim, se incrementam as perdas nos canais ao ocasionar-lhes traumatismos, mortes e geração de produtos de carne com defeitos como as carnes pálidas, suaves e com exsudação ou, ao contrário, carnes duras, secas e escuras. É necessário gerar novos sistemas de avaliação e seguimento no transporte de porcinos, para deste modo diminuir sua mortalidade e danos do canal com intervenções a partir do bem-estar animal.

[Canine brucellosiss: Seroprevalence and risk factors in pets from eleven neighbourhoods in Medellin, Colombia]. / Seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo para brucelosis canina en perros domésticos de once comunas de la ciudad de Medellín-Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Determining Brucella canis prevalence in domestic dogs (pets) from 11 districts in Medellín. A survey of risk factors was also carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunoassay was used for analysing 441 dog serum samples and several risk factors regarding their owners and some related to the immediate environment were established. RESULTS: Brucellosis prevalence was 2.76 % (1.11-4.42 95 %CI), being highest in the Buenos Aires (6.9 %) and Villa Hermosa districts (5.7%). Seroprevalence was higher in male dogs (4.6 %),mongrels (4.8 %),dogs less than one year old (3.7 %), in homes having nearby water sources (4.5 %) and in dogs living with their owners for more than five months (3.1 %).The dogs' breed was associated with antibody presence (p<0.05). Seroprevalence became increased to 7.5 % when the home was shared with other pets. Higher prevalence was found when the dogs lived in homes without drinking water (6.7 %) and homes lacking a fixed water supply or sewerage connection (7.7 %). No association was found for any of the aforementioned variables with the presence of antibodies. CONCLUSION: Apart from cases involving occupational risk, the risk of Brucella canis transmission to humans in domestic settings may increase if the aforementioned risk factors continue increasing in urban areas, such as those explored in this study.

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into anterior definitive endoderm.

Anterior definitive endoderm (ADE) is both an important embryonic signaling center and a unique multipotent precursor of liver, pancreas, and other visceral organs. Here we describe a method for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to endoderm with pronounced anterior character. ADE-containing cultures can be produced in vitro by suspension (aggregation or embryoid body) culture and in a serum-free adherent monolayer culture. Purified ES cell-derived ADE cells appear committed to endodermal fates and can undergo further differentiation in vitro towards liver and pancreas with enhanced efficiency.

Seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo para brucelosis canina en perros domésticos de once comunas de la ciudad de Medellín-Colombia / Canine brucellosiss: Seroprevalence and risk factors in pets from eleven neighbourhoods in Medellin, Colombia

Objetivo: Se estableció la seroprevalencia de brucelosis canina en perros domésticos de 11 comunas de la ciudad de Medellín y se realizó una encuesta de factores de riesgo a los propietarios. Materiales y Métodos: Fueron analizados por inmunoensayo cromatográfico 441 muestras de suero de caninos cuyos dueños aceptaron responder a una encuesta epidemiológica para explorar factores de riesgo de transmisión de brucelosis canina a la población humana. Resultados: La seroprevalencia de brucelosis fue 2,76 % (IC: 1,11 %- 4,42 %) siendo mayor para las comunas Buenos Aires (6,9 %) y Villa Hermosa (5,7 %). La mayor seroprevalencia fue en machos (4,6 %), caninos criollos (4,8 %), menores de un año (3,7 %), caninos de viviendas con fuentes de agua cercanas (4,5 %), y en aquellos que han permanecido con el dueño por más de 5 meses (3,1 %). La raza presentó asociación con la presencia de anticuerpos (p < 0,05). La seroprevalencia aumentó a 7,5 % cuando la vivienda era compartida con otros animales domésticos. Se encontró mayor seroprevalencia entre los caninos que habitaban en viviendas sin suministro de agua potable (6,7 %) y sin conexión de acueducto y alcantarillado (7,7 %). Para ninguna de estas variables se encontró asociación con la presencia de anticuerpos. Conclusión: El riesgo de transmisión a los humanos de esta zoonosis emergente en circunstancias diferentes a las de índole ocupacional, como son los ambientes domésticos, puede considerarse en aumento si persisten o se incrementan los factores de riesgo que se exploraron en este estudio.

Objective: Determining Brucella canis prevalence in domestic dogs (pets) from 11 districts in Medellín. A survey of risk factors was also carried out. Materials and Methods: Immunoassay was used for analysing441 dog serum samples and several risk factors regarding their owners and some related to the immediate environment were established. Results: Brucellosis prevalence was 2.76 % (1.11-4.42 95 %CI), being highestin the Buenos Aires (6.9 %) and Villa Hermosa districts (5.7%). Seroprevalence was higher in male dogs (4.6 %),mongrels (4.8 %),dogs less than one year old (3.7 %), in homes having nearby water sources (4.5 %) andindogs living with their owners for more than five months (3.1 %).The dogs’ breed was associated with antibody presence (p<0.05). Seroprevalence became increased to 7.5 % when the home was shared with other pets. Higher prevalence was found when the dogs lived in homes without drinking water (6.7 %) and homes lacking a fixed water supply or sewerage connection (7.7 %). No association was found for any of the aforementioned variables with the presence of antibodies. Conclusion: Apart from cases involving occupational risk, the risk ofBrucella canistransmission to humans in domestic settings may increase if the aforementioned risk factors continue increasing in urban areas, such as those explored in this study.