Energetic and Monetary Analysis of Efficiency in Family-Owned Dairy Goat Production Systems in Andalusia (Southern Spain).

The family-owned dairy goat sector in Andalusia presents great diversity. Taking into account the particularities of their economic strategies, which are focused on generating net value added and a stable long-term remuneration for family labor, this work aims to expand the scarce existing knowledge on the energetic and economic profiles of the different caprine management systems in a context of climate and energy crisis. For this purpose, twenty-one farms, representatives of the four typologies of the Andalusian dairy goat system, were monitored for one year: pastoral systems, grazing systems with high feed supply, indoor systems with associated crops, and indoor systems without associated crops. Technical-economic information was obtained that allowed the calculation of energy and economic indicators. In terms of socialized output, the differences found were due to the energy derived from milk sales, which was clearly lower in pastoral systems. The higher proportion of energy output obtained from manure with respect to edible products (milk and meat) highlights the importance of the former in energetic terms. High values for external inputs are found in the intensive group (111.22 GJ LSU-1), while the lowest results correspond to the pastoral group (36.96 GJ LSU-1). The main external input is the energy proceeding from purchased feed, which accounts for over 79% of the total external energy input in all four groups. The highest energy efficiency corresponds to the pastoral group, which is also the most efficient one in the use of non-renewable energy to produce milk and meat. Additionally, the level of eco-efficiency is higher in pastoral systems. Common Agricultural Policy funds contribute to increasing the remuneration of family work in pastoral systems, assimilating it to the rest of the systems. Therefore, intensification does not imply an absolute monetary advantage in all cases, while extensification can be remunerative for family-owned dairy farming.

Assessment of the environmental impact and economic performance of cacao agroforestry systems in the Ecuadorian Amazon region: An LCA approach.

Ecuador is the third largest cacao exporter in the world. Up to 10 % of Ecuador's cacao production is grown in the Amazon region, mostly under conventional (CA) and organic (OA) agroforestry systems. Despite the importance of cacao in this area, no previous studies on its environmental impact and economic viability have yet been carried out. The main objective of this research is to fill this gap and, more specifically, perform a comparative analysis between CA and OA systems. For this purpose, primary information was gathered from 90 farms (44 conventional and 46 organic ones) that implement land management practices. The environmental performance of cacao production was assessed using a life cycle analysis methodology, with a cradle-to-farm gate approach. Up to twelve impact categories and five environmental and monetary efficiency indicators were estimated based on three functional units (1 kg of cacao, 1 kg of output sold, and 1 ha). Additionally, an economic viability analysis was performed, focused on profitability. The results show that organic management allows to reduce the environmental impact in all the analyzed categories, except for the land footprint, and improved the environmental and economic efficiency of agroforestry systems. The economic analysis shows no statistically significant differences between CA and OA profitability (net margin), which can be improved by selling co-products. Despite the low environmental impact of both types of system, economic profitability is certainly one of the weaknesses of cacao production in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. This study contributes to develop technical, production-related and political actions that could improve the economic cacao production situation without jeopardizing the environmental benefit obtained by these systems.

Ocular Health of Octodon degus as a Clinical Marker for Age-Related and Age-Independent Neurodegeneration.

The aging process and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), are very heterogeneous and multifactorial, making it challenging to diagnose the disease based solely on genetic, behavioral tests, or clinical history. It is yet to be explained what ophthalmological tests relate specifically to aging and AD. To this end, we have selected the common degu (Octodon degus) as a model for aging which develops AD-like signs to conduct ophthalmological screening methods that could be clinical markers of aging and AD. We investigated ocular health using ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, intraocular pressure (IOP), and pupillary light reflex (PLR). The results showed significant presence of cataracts in adult degus and IOP was also found to increase significantly with advancing age. Age had a significant effect on the maximum pupil constriction but other pupil parameters changed in an age-independent manner (PIPR retention index, resting pupil size, constriction velocity, redilation plateau). We concluded that degus have underlying factors at play that regulate PLR and may be connected to sympathetic, parasympathetic, and melanopsin retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) deterioration. This study provides the basis for the use of ocular tests as screening methods for the aging process and monitoring of neurodegeneration in non-invasive ways.

Retinal Ganglion Cells Functional Changes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Are Linked with Neurotransmitter Alterations.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide. This neurodegenerative syndrome affects cognition, memory, behavior, and the visual system, particularly the retina. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to determine whether the 5xFAD mouse, a transgenic model of AD, displays changes in the function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and if those alterations are correlated with changes in the expression of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters. METHODS: In young (2-3-month-old) and adult (6-7-month-old) 5xFAD and WT mice, we have studied the physiological response, firing rate, and burst of RGCs to various types of visual stimuli using a multielectrode array system. RESULTS: The firing rate and burst response in 5xFAD RGCs showed hyperactivity at the early stage of AD in young mice, whereas hypoactivity was seen at the later stage of AD in adults. The physiological alterations observed in 5xFAD correlate well with an increase in the expression of glutamate in the ganglion cell layer in young and adults. GABA staining increased in the inner nuclear and plexiform layer, which was more pronounced in the adult than the young 5xFAD retina, altering the excitation/inhibition balance, which could explain the observed early hyperactivity and later hypoactivity in RGC physiology. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate functional changes may be caused by neurochemical alterations of the retina starting at an early stage of the AD disease.

Transportation can cancel out the ecological advantages of producing organic cacao: The carbon footprint of the globalized agrifood system of ecuadorian chocolate.

Under the hypothesis that organically managed cacao agroforestry systems report a lower global warming potential (GWP) and reduce other environmental pressure indicators compared with conventionally managed systems and monocultures, this work discusses how global transportation can cut back the ecological advantage of the production phase. For this purpose, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of 1 kg of dark chocolate manufactured with Ecuadorian cacao has been performed (cradle-to-retailer approach), including the indirect impacts of transportation and estimating the equilibrium distances beyond which organic chocolate would have a higher impact than chocolate manufactured from cacao grown in monocultures and/or conventionally managed systems. To articulate the discussion, the carbon footprint (CF) of cacao/chocolate was analyzed together with 10 additional LCA-related impact categories. Three management systems-conventional monoculture (CM) and agroforestry (CA), and organic agroforestry (OA)-and three different supply chain scenarios with different weights in the transportation phase were studied. Expanding on the concept of "food miles", the equivalent kilometers of the impact of emissions (km-eq) (or cumulated energy demand, eutrophication, etc.) were defined as the variable distance that a certain means of transportation can travel in relation to a fixed level of GHG emissions (or MJ, kg PO4-eq, etc.). The CF of the life cycle of cacao/chocolate was estimated at between 2.04 and 4.66 kg CO2-eq kg-1. The relative weight of transportation in relation to the total GHG emissions ranged between 8.9% and 51.1%, with cacao/chocolate traveling between 1380 and 9155 km-eq. The CF of chocolate made from cacao grown in OA systems was 22.7%-34.2% and 6.3%-10.7% lower than the CF of chocolate produced from cacao grown in CM and CA and manufactured and transported under the same conditions. The equilibrium distances between managements were estimated at 1213 and 5275 km-eq. Beyond those equivalent kilometers, organic chocolate would have a larger CF than chocolate manufactured from cacao grown, respectively, in CA and CM systems. Our results indicate that transportation would cancel out this and most other comparative ecological advantages of producing organic cacao analyzed in this work. Directly exporting chocolate from cacao-producing countries and relocating chocolate manufacture would help reduce GHG emissions and other environmental impacts of the supply chain.

Chromatic pupillometry for the characterization of the pupillary light reflex in Octodon degus.

The common degu (Octodon degus) is an emerging model in biomedical science research due to its longevity and propensity to develop human-like conditions. However, there is a lack of standardized techniques for this non-traditional laboratory animal. In an effort to characterize the model, we developed a chromatic pupillometry setup and analysis protocol to characterize the pupillary light reflex (PLR) in our animals. The PLR is a biomarker to detect early signs for central nervous system deterioration. Chromatic pupillometry is a non-invasive and anesthesia-free method that can evaluate different aspects of the PLR, including the response of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), the disfunction of which has been linked to various disorders. We studied the PLR of 12 degus between 6 and 48 months of age to characterize responses to LEDs of 390, 450, 500, 525 and 605 nm, and used 5 with overall better responses to establish a benchmark for healthy PLR (PLR+) and deteriorated PLR (PLR-). Degu pupils contracted up to 65% of their horizontal resting size before reaching saturation. The highest sensitivity was found at 500 nm, with similar sensitivities at lower tested intensities for 390 nm, coinciding with the medium wavelength and short wavelength cones of the degu. We also tested the post-illumination pupillary response (PIPR), which is driven exclusively by ipRGCs. PIPR was largest in response to 450 nm light, with the pupil preserving 48% of its maximum constriction 9 s after the stimulus, in contrast with 24% preserved in response to 525 nm, response driven mainly by cones. PLR- animals showed maximum constriction between 40% and 50% smaller than PLR+, and their PIPR almost disappeared, pointing to a disfunction of the iPRGCs rather than the retinal photoreceptors. Our method thus allows us to non-invasively estimate the condition of experimental animals before attempting other procedures.

Energy use and carbon footprint of the tomato production in heated multi-tunnel greenhouses in Almeria within an exporting agri-food system context.

Almeria (Spain) is one of the most important agricultural centers of vegetable cultivation in Europe. The search for technological innovation has led to the introduction of climate control systems in greenhouses in Almeria to improve productivity during the cold season. Up to now, no studies have analyzed the energy behavior of introducing this technology in this specific region. The objective of the present study is therefore to analyze the energy use and carbon footprint (CF) of the tomato production in heated multi-tunnel greenhouses in Almeria from a life cycle perspective (cradle to regional distribution center approach). The results obtained show that the introduction of heating systems in multi-tunnel greenhouses in Almeria allowed for an increase in the annual productivity per hectare and kilogram below the increment in cumulative energy demand (CED). The on-farm CED and CF were estimated at, respectively, 13.4 MJ and 0.92 kg CO2-eq kg-1 of gross production. The impacts were thus 3.3 and 2.75 times higher than those of the unheated crop. The use of energy and infrastructure (86.1%), fertilizers, and infrastructure (66.9%) were the main hotspots of the heated and unheated tomato crops. With regard to the marketed output and the supply chain, the CF and CED of heated tomatoes were 2.07 kg CO2-eq and 29.30 MJ kg-1, with a non-renewable EROI (energy return on investment) (0.030:1) that was 48% lower than the one obtained with unheated tomatoes. On-farm production (64.1%), transport, and packing (65.9%) were, respectively, the main hotspots in the heated and unheated tomato agri-food systems. The production of heated tomatoes in Almeria may continue to be a better energy option than locally producing the crop in heated greenhouses in northern Europe, as long as other options related to the seasonal local production and changing diets are not taken into account.

Trombectomía mecánica: técnica de primera elección en el tratamiento ictus isquémico agudo: análisis de beneficios y resultados / Mechanical thrombectomy: first choice therapeutical approach in acute ischemic stroke; analysis of benefits and results

Esta revisión tiene como objetivo el uso de la Trombectomía Mecánica como técnica de primera elección en el tratamiento de Ictus Isquémico Agudo. Materiales y Método: La revisión incluye 9 pacientes con diagnóstico de Ictus Isquémico a los que se le realizo Trombectomía Mecánica, se utilizó el dispositivo de recanalización tipo Solitaire asociado a rtPA intraarterial 10 por ciento de la dosis intravenosa, los criterios diagnósticos: edad, período de ventana, imagen de TC al ingreso. Resultados: 8 pacientes (89 por ciento) correspondieron a oclusión de la circulación Anterior, 1 (11 por ciento) a la oclusión de circulación posterior, la efectividad terapéutica se la evalúo según la Escala de Rankin Modificada, 5 (55 por ciento) obtuvieron recuperación completa de sus funciones, 3 (33 por ciento) presentaron secuelas leves, y 1(11 por ciento) no obtuvo mejoría alguna. Discusión: Los resultados de nuestra revisión son alentadores sobre todo al reducir la secuela discapacitante, deja una ventana abierta para posteriores revisiones sobre estetratamiento.

This review aims to use Trombrectomy Mechanics and technique as choice in the treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke. Materials and Methods: Age, period: The review included 9 patients with a diagnosis of Ischemic Stroke those who underwent Trombrectomy Mechanics, recanalization device type associated with intra-arterial rtPA Solitaire 10 percent of the intravenous dose, the diagnostic criteria was used with CT. Results: 8 patients (89 percent) were occluded circulation Earlier, 1 (11 percent) to occlusion of posterior circulation, the therapeutic succes was evaluated according to the modified Rankin scale, 5 (55 percent) had complete recovery its functions, 3 (33 percent) had mild sequelae, and 1 (11 percent) not obtained any improvement. Discussion: The results of our review are encouraging especially by reducing the disabling sequel, leave a window open for further review on this treatment.

Síndrome de enclaustramiento: presentación de un caso / Locked-in syndrome: case report

El síndrome de enclaustramiento (Locked-in syndrome) es una entidad neurológica altamente discapacitante, producida por lesiones en la porción ventral de la protuberancia; de etiología principalmente vascular. Clínicamente se manifiesta por tetraplejía, anartria, preservación de la conciencia y capacidad de expresarse mediante movimientos oculares. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 33 años, transferido de otra institución de salud con un cuadro clínico progresivo y poco específico, caracterizado principalmente por deterioro del estado de conciencia, dificultad respiratoria, cefalea de intensidad moderada y vómitos. Mediante pruebas de imágenes se comprobó la presencia de un área de isquemia en la región irrigada por el sistema vertebrobasilar. Se realizó un enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico invasivo de orden endovascular.

Locked-in syndrome is a highly disabling neurological entity, due to lesions in the ventral portion of the pons, mainly vascular etiology. Clinical features are quiadriplegia, anarthria, preservation of consciousness and the ability to express by ocular movements. We shown a case of a 33 years-old man, who was transfer from another institution with a progressive and poorly specific clinical manifestations, mainly characterized by diminishing of consciousness, breathing difficulty, headache and vomiting, with the presumptive diagnosis of central nervous system infection. We performed image diagnostic tests and they shown and ischemic feature in the region of the vertebrobasilar irrigation. It was perform an endovascular diagnostic therapeutic approach.

Tumor neuroectodérmico primitivo do terceiro ventrículo associado a metástase leptomeníngea / Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Third Ventricle Associated with Leptomeningeal Metastases

Os tumores neuroectodérmicos primitivos (PNET) são tumores malignos, não diferenciados, raramente apresentados na idade adulta, principalmente os de localização supratentorial. Apresentamos neste artigo o caso de um paciente de 19 anos, que nos chegou transferido de outro hospital com o diagnóstico de hidrocefalia. A existência do PNET associado a carcinomatose leptomeníngea foi comprovada como causa da hidrocefalia.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are malignant tumors exceptionally present in adulthood, especially those with supratentorial location. In this article, we present the case of a young man who was transfer fromanother institutionwith the diagnosis of hydrocephalus; during his stay, we corroborated the presence of supratentorial PNET associated to leptomeningeal carcinomatosis that was a cause of hydrocephalus.

Prenatal Stress Produces Persistence of Remote Memory and Disrupts Functional Connectivity in the Hippocampal-Prefrontal Cortex Axis.

Prenatal stress is a risk factor for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, many of which are commonly characterized by an increased persistence of aversive remote memory. Here, we addressed the effect of prenatal stress on both memory consolidation and functional connectivity in the hippocampal-prefrontal cortex axis, a dynamical interplay that is critical for mnemonic processing. Pregnant mice of the C57BL6 strain were subjected to restraint stressed during the last week of pregnancy, and male offspring were behaviorally tested at adulthood for recent and remote spatial memory performance in the Barnes Maze test under an aversive context. Prenatal stress did not affect the acquisition or recall of recent memory. In contrast, it produced the persistence of remote spatial memory. Memory persistence was not associated with alterations in major network rhythms, such as hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) or neocortical spindles. Instead, it was associated with a large decrease in the basal discharge activity of identified principal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as measured in urethane anesthetized mice. Furthermore, functional connectivity was disrupted, as the temporal coupling between neuronal discharge in the mPFC and hippocampal SWRs was decreased by prenatal stress. These results could be relevant to understand the biological basis of the persistence of aversive remote memories in stress-related disorders.

Consumo de prostitución y construcción de las masculinidades contemporáneas en España / Consumption of prostitution and construction of Contemporary masculinities in spain

En las sociedades contemporáneas el consumo de servicios de prostitución, mayoritariamente entre la población masculina, es uno de los indicadores más significativos de una forma de entender, vivir y sentir la sexualidad. España es el primer país europeo en consumo de prostitución, pero la actividad no está regulada, su consumo no está penado, así como tampoco su oferta. Se aborda la construcción de las identidades masculinas en España en relación a la prostitución. Se ha recurrido al análisis de 18 entrevistas a clientes de servicios de prostitución, dos a trabajadores de prostíbulos y un grupo de discusión con clientes y no clientes. Se han descubierto cuatro ethos de consumidores de prostitución (misógino, mercantilista, amigo crítico). A pesar de las masculinidades emergentes (amigo-acompañante) frente al modelo tradicional de masculinidad (padre-protector) ambas posibilitan una lógica en la que el consumo de servicios de prostitución tiene plena vigencia y se justifica

In contemporary societies the consumption of prostitution services, mostly among the male population is one of the most significant indicators of a way of understanding, living and feeling sexuality. Spain is the first European country in consumption of prostitution, but the activity is not regulated, its consumption is not punished, nor its offer. The Construction of Masculine identities in Spain is addressed in relation to prostitution. It has resorted to the analysis of 18 interviews with clients of prostitution, two brothel workers and a discussion group with clients and non-clients. Four consumer ethos of prostitution consumers have been discovered (misogynist, mercantilist, critics and friends). Despite emerging masculinities (friend- escort) to the traditional model of masculinity (father-protector) both allow a logic in which the consumption of prostitution is fully valid and justified.

Serotonin (5-HT) regulates neurite outgrowth through 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Serotonin (5-HT) production and expression of 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs) occur early during prenatal development. Recent evidence suggests that, in addition to its classical role as a neurotransmitter, 5-HT regulates neuronal connectivity during mammalian development by modulating cell migration and neuronal cytoarchitecture. Given the variety of 5-HTRs, researchers have had difficulty clarifying the specific role of each receptor subtype in brain development. Signalling mediated by the G-protein-coupled 5-HT1A R and 5-HT7 R, however, has been associated with neuronal plasticity. Thus, we hypothesized that 5-HT promotes neurite outgrowth through 5-HT1A R and 5-HT7 R. The involvement of 5-HT1A R and 5-HT7 R in the morphology of rat hippocampal neurons was evaluated by treating primary cultures at 2 days in vitro with 5-HT and specific antagonists for 5-HT1A R and 5-HT7 R (WAY-100635 and SB269970, respectively). The stimulation of hippocampal neurons with 100 nM 5-HT for 24 hr produced no effect on either the number or the length of primary neurites. Nonetheless, after 5HT7 R was blocked, the addition of 5-HT increased the number of primary neurites, suggesting that 5HT7 R could inhibit neuritogenesis. In contrast, 5-HT induced secondary neurite outgrowth, an effect inhibited by 1 µM WAY-100635 or SB269970. These results suggest that both serotonergic receptors participate in secondary neurite outgrowth. We conclude that 5-HT1A R and 5-HT7 R regulate neuronal morphology in primary hippocampal cultures by promoting secondary neurite outgrowth.

Disección y organización tridimensional de las fibras cerebrales en cerebros cadavéricos humanos / Dissection and three-dimensional organization of cerebral fibersin cadaveric human brains

Los tractos de la sustancia blanca son elementos anatómicos, los cuales en las últimas décadas han sido nuevamente motivo de estudio mediante el empleo de microscopios que cuentan con sistemas ópticos y de iluminación. Merced a lo cual, anatomístas y neurocirujanos hicieron aportes al detalle anatómico, cuyos resultados son invaluables en la interpretación de exámenes imagenológicos como la resonancia magnética (RM) y la tractografía y en procesos quirúrgicos como en la exeresis de tumores intraaxiales, malformaciones arteriovenosas y en la cirugía de la epilepsia. Objetivos: Demostrar la importancia de la técnica de disección de fibras cerebrales en la comprensión de la anatomía tridimensional intrínseca del cerebro humano. Identificar las fibras cerebrales de asociación, comisurales y de proyección y sus relaciones anatómicas. Método: Seis hemisferios cerebrales humanos fijados en formol al 10 por ciento fueron disecados de lateral a medial usando como herramientas principales el microscopio operatorio y espátulas de madera de características diferentes. Resultados: Se estudió y se expuso las complejas fibras de la sustancia blanca cerebral obteniendo un conocimiento y comprensión de la disposición anatómica de dichas estructuras. Conclusión: Es importante el conocimiento anatómico para preservar las funciones en procedimientos operatorios.