Seroprevalence of trypanosomosis and associated risk factors in cattle from coast and amazonian provinces of Ecuador.

Trypanosomosis is a tropical disease caused by various protozoan haemoparasites, which affects wild and domestic animals, the latter ones related to worldwide livestock production systems. Species such as Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma evansi have been described using serological and molecular tools in several countries from South and Central America. However, Ecuador presents a relevant knowledge gap in the associated general epidemiology and risk factors of the disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of trypanosomosis in cattle from different regions of Ecuador. 745 serum samples from 7 Coastal and 3 Amazon provinces were screened for IgG anti-Trypanosoma spp. antibodies, using an in-house indirect ELISA. The seropositivity was explored and associated with several variables such as sex, age, breed, region, management, and province, using statistical tools. The general seroprevalence of trypanosomosis was 19.1% (95% CI: 16.30-22.1%). The Amazonian provinces of Sucumbíos and Napo and the Coastal province of Esmeraldas presented the highest seroprevalence values of 36.7% (95% CI: 27.67-46.47%), 23.64% (95% CI: 16.06-32.68%) and 25% (95% CI: 15.99-35.94%), respectively. Statistical significance was found for the region, province, and management variables, indicating as relevant risk factors the extensive management and Amazon location of the cattle analyzed. Specific actions should be taken to identify the exact species on reservoirs and susceptible hosts, evaluate the implication of farm management and cattle movement as risk factors, and implement surveillance and treatment plans for affected herds.

Molecular identification of Trypanosoma theileri in cattle from the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Trypanosoma theileri is a cosmopolitan opportunistic haemoparasite described in wild and domestic ruminants, and also in arthropod vectors. The presence of this parasite has been reported in several South American countries, including Amazonian regions. Despite the importance of livestock production, Ecuador possesses scarce studies about trypanosomosis and no T. theileri reports in its territory. Here, we showed molecular evidences of the presence of T. theileri in cattle from a province located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Bovine blood samples were collected from 2014 to 2019, during campaigns to detect haemoparasites in the Ecuadorian provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat and used in PCR assays with three different molecular markers, ITS1, 18S and Cathepsin L-like. T. theileri was detected only in the Sucumbíos province, with a specific molecular prevalence of 8.6% (3/35) using the three primers and an additional animal detected as positive (11.4% prevalence) only by the ITS1 marker. DNA sequences derived from the generated amplicons were subjected to phylogenetics maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis, which indicate the presence of TthI and TthII genotypes circulating in the evaluated animals. Molecular surveillance should be continually implemented in Ecuador in order to deepen the epidemiological and evolutionary knowledge about T. theileri as well other haemoparasites in the amazon parts of the country.

Global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids via sea spray aerosol.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent organic pollutants found throughout the world's oceans. Previous research suggests that long-range atmospheric transport of these substances may be substantial. However, it remains unclear what the main sources of PFAAs to the atmosphere are. We have used a laboratory sea spray chamber to study water-to-air transfer of 11 PFAAs via sea spray aerosol (SSA). We observed significant enrichment of all PFAAs relative to sodium in the SSA generated. The highest enrichment was observed in aerosols with aerodynamic diameter < 1.6 µm, which had aerosol PFAA concentrations up to ∼62 000 times higher than the PFAA water concentrations in the chamber. In surface microlayer samples collected from the sea spray chamber, the enrichment of the substances investigated was orders of magnitude smaller than the enrichment observed in the aerosols. In experiments with mixtures of structural isomers, a lower contribution of branched PFAA isomers was observed in the surface microlayer compared to the bulk water. However, no clear trend was observed in the comparison of structural isomers in SSA and bulk water. Using the measured enrichment factors of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid versus sodium we have estimated global annual emissions of these substances to the atmosphere via SSA as well as their global annual deposition to land areas. Our experiments suggest that SSA may currently be an important source of these substances to the atmosphere and, over certain areas, to terrestrial environments.

Identification of very long-chain (>C24) fatty acid methyl esters using gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source.

Gas chromatography coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass analyzer (QTOF) with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source has been tested to study the ionization and mass spectrometric behavior of long-chain and very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs, C18-24; VLC-PUFAs, >C24). The protonated molecule ([M+H]+), measured at accurate mass, became the base peak of the spectrum for all the studied compounds and was promoted by the addition of water into the source. This fact overcame the existing difficulties for the identification of VLC-PUFAs when using an electron ionization source (EI). The extensive fragmentation of PUFAs in this source is the main drawback due to the fact that since reference standards are not commercially available, final identification relies on retention time estimation. The application of GC-APCI-QTOF to the screening of lipid extracts from the eyes of different fish species added confidence to the identification of several VLC-PUFAs. Further investigation of ion ratios allowed to predict the position of key double bonds enabling the classification of VLC-PUFAs as ω3 or ω6 compounds. VLC-PUFAs spectra found in biological samples were compared to those obtained from corresponding peaks found in heterologous expression experiments of fish's Elovl4.

The erector spinae plane block in 4 cases of video-assisted thoracic surgery. / Bloqueo del plano del músculo erector de la columna en 4 casos de cirugía torácica videoasistida.

Multimodal anaesthesia, combining epidural catheter and general anaesthesia, is a common technique in thoracic surgery, however, epidural catheter placement is not always possible. Recently, erector spinae plane block has been described, which provides analgesia like that of the epidural block, although unilateral, and which has been used in various procedures at thoracic level. At present, there are no studies comparing the efficacy or safety of this block with those commonly used in thoracic surgery. However, its safety profile and contraindications seem different from those of the epidural catheter, since its placement is done under ultrasound view, the needle introduction is done in plane and the ultrasound target, the transverse process, is easily identifiable and is relatively remote from major neural or vascular structures and the pleura. Unlike other blockages made by anatomical references, erector spinae plane block can be done with the patient in different positions. We describe our experience with erector spinae plane block as part of a multimodal anaesthetic approach in thoracic surgery.

Effects of ibuprofen and carbamazepine on the ion transport system and fatty acid metabolism of temperature conditioned juveniles of Solea senegalensis.

The increasing presence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments in the last decades, derived from human and veterinary use, has become an important environmental problem. Previous studies have shown that ibuprofen (IB) and carbamazepine (CBZ) modify physiological and biochemical processes in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) in a temperature-dependent manner. In other vertebrates, there is evidence that both of these pharmaceuticals interfere with the 'arachidonic acid (AA) cascade', which is responsible for the biosynthesis of numerous enzymes that are involved in the osmoregulatory process. The present work aims to study the temperature-dependent effects of these two pharmaceuticals on several biochemical and molecular parameters in Senegalese sole. Regarding osmoregulation, Na+, K+ -ATPase enzyme activity was determined in the gills, kidney and intestine, and the expressions of both Na+, K+ -ATPase 1α-subunit isoforms (ATP1A1a and ATP1A1b) were quantified in gills. Gill prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS2) gene expression and fatty acid composition were selected to determine the interference of both pharmaceuticals with the AA cascade. Senegalese sole juveniles, acclimatised at 15°C or 20°C, were exposed through intraperitoneal injection to IB (10mg/kg) and CBZ (1mg/kg) for 48h. Non-injected fish (Control) and those injected with the carrier (sunflower oil; S.O.), acclimated at each of the two temperatures, were used for comparison. The results show that IB directly affected the osmoregulatory mechanisms that alter gill and intestine Na+, K+ -ATPase activities. In addition, the copy number of ATP1A1a was higher at 20°C than at 15°C, which could be a direct response to the temperature variation. The gene expression of PTGS2 was affected by neither drug administration nor acclimation temperature. Nevertheless, detailed analysis of AA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) percentages revealed a CBZ-derived effect in the fatty acid composition of the gills.

Microphysical explanation of the RH-dependent water affinity of biogenic organic aerosol and its importance for climate.

A large fraction of atmospheric organic aerosol (OA) originates from natural emissions that are oxidized in the atmosphere to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Isoprene (IP) and monoterpenes (MT) are the most important precursors of SOA originating from forests. The climate impacts from OA are currently estimated through parameterizations of water uptake that drastically simplify the complexity of OA. We combine laboratory experiments, thermodynamic modeling, field observations, and climate modeling to (1) explain the molecular mechanisms behind RH-dependent SOA water-uptake with solubility and phase separation; (2) show that laboratory data on IP- and MT-SOA hygroscopicity are representative of ambient data with corresponding OA source profiles; and (3) demonstrate the sensitivity of the modeled aerosol climate effect to assumed OA water affinity. We conclude that the commonly used single-parameter hygroscopicity framework can introduce significant error when quantifying the climate effects of organic aerosol. The results highlight the need for better constraints on the overall global OA mass loadings and its molecular composition, including currently underexplored anthropogenic and marine OA sources.

Blood Feeding Status, Gonotrophic Cycle and Survivorship of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) Caught in Churches from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Blood-feeding status, gonotrophic cycle, and survival rates of Aedes (Stegmyia) aegypti (L.) was investigated in catholic churches from Merida, Yucatan. Female Ae. aegypti were caught using backpack aspirator during 25 consecutive days in rainy (2015) and dry season (2016). Blood-feeding status was determined by external examination of the abdomen and classified as unfed, fed, and gravid. Daily changes in the parous-nulliparous ratio were recorded, and the gonotrophic cycle length was estimated by a time series analysis. Also, was observed the vitellogenesis to monitoring egg maturity. In total, 408 females Ae. aegypti were caught, and there was a significant difference in the number of females collected per season (Z = -6.729, P ≤ 0.05). A great number was caught in the rainy season (n = 329). In the dry season, 79 females were caught, which the fed females were twice greatest than the unfed. The length of gonotrophic cycle was estimated on the base of a high correlation coefficient value appearing every 4 days in rainy at 26.7 ± 1.22°C, and 3 days in dry season at 29.8 ± 1.47°C. The daily survival rate of the Ae. aegypti population was higher in both seasons, 0.94 and 0.93 for the rainy and dry season, respectively. The minimum time estimated for developing mature eggs after blood feeding was similar in both seasons (3.5 days in rainy versus 3.25 days in dry). The measurement of the vectorial capacity of Ae. aegypti in catholic churches could help to understand the dynamics of transmission of arboviruses in sites with high human aggregation.

Widespread evidence for interspecific mating between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in nature.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two important vectors of the dengue and chikungunya viruses to humans, often come in contact in their invasive ranges. In these circumstances, a number of factors are thought to influence their population dynamics, including resource competition among the larval stages, prevailing environmental conditions and reproductive interference in the form of satyrization. As the distribution and abundance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus have profound epidemiological implications, understanding the competitive interactions that influence these patterns in nature is important. While evidence for resource competition and environmental factors had been gathered from the field, the evidence for reproductive interference, though strongly inferred through laboratory trials, remained sparse (one small-scale field trial). In this paper we demonstrate that low rates (1.12-3.73%) of interspecific mating occur in nature among populations of these species that have co-existed sympatrically from 3 to 150yrs. Finally this report contributes a new species-specific primer set for identifying the paternity of sperm extracted from field collected specimens.

Aquatic pollution may favor the success of the invasive species A. franciscana.

The genus Artemia consists of several bisexual and parthenogenetic sibling species. One of them, A. franciscana, originally restricted to the New World, becomes invasive when introduced into ecosystems out of its natural range of distribution. Invasiveness is anthropically favored by the use of cryptobiotic eggs in the aquaculture and pet trade. The mechanisms of out-competition of the autochthonous Artemia by the invader are still poorly understood. Ecological fitness may play a pivotal role, but other underlying biotic and abiotic factors may contribute. Since the presence of toxicants in hypersaline aquatic ecosystems has been documented, our aim here is to study the potential role of an organophosphate pesticide, chlorpyrifos, in a congeneric mechanism of competition between the bisexual A. franciscana (AF), and one of the Old World parthenogenetic siblings, A. parthenogenetica (PD). For this purpose we carried out life table experiments with both species, under different concentrations of the toxicant (0.1, 1 and 5µg/l), and analyzed the cholinesterase inhibition at different developmental stages. The results evidence that both, AF and PD, showed an elevated tolerance to high ranges of chlorpyrifos, but AF survived better and its fecundity was less affected by the exposure to the pesticide than that of PD. The higher fecundity of AF is a selective advantage in colonization processes leading to its establishment as NIS. Besides, under the potential selective pressure of abiotic factors, such as the presence of toxicants, its higher resistance in terms of survival and biological fitness also indicates out-competitive advantages.

Effects of inhalational anaesthesia with low tidal volume ventilation on end-tidal sevoflurane and carbon dioxide concentrations: prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated how ventilation with low tidal volumes affects the pharmacokinetics of sevoflurane uptake during the first minutes of inhaled anaesthesia. METHODS: Forty-eight patients scheduled for lung resection were randomly assigned to three groups. Patients in group 1, 2 and 3 received 3% sevoflurane for 3 min via face mask and controlled ventilation with a tidal volume of 2.2, 8 and 12 ml kg(-1), respectively (Phase 1). After tracheal intubation (Phase 2), 3% sevoflurane was supplied for 2 min using a tidal volume of 8 ml kg(-1) (Phase 3). RESULTS: End-tidal sevoflurane concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 at the end of phase 1 and lower at the end of phase 2 than in the other groups as follows: median of 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.3% in phase 1 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.001); and 1.7%, 2.1% and 2.0% in phase 2, respectively (P<0.001). End-tidal carbon dioxide values in group 1 were significantly lower at the end of phase 1 and higher at the end of phase 2 than in the other groups as follows: median of 16.5, 31 and 29.5 mm Hg in phase 1 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.001); and 46.2, 36 and 33.5 mm Hg in phase 2, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: When sevoflurane is administered with tidal volume approximating the airway dead space volume, end-tidal sevoflurane and end-tidal carbon dioxide may not correctly reflect the concentration of these gases in the alveoli, leading to misinterpretation of expired gas data.

Global emissions of terpenoid VOCs from terrestrial vegetation in the last millennium.

We investigated the millennial variability (1000 A.D.-2000 A.D.) of global biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions by using two independent numerical models: The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN), for isoprene, monoterpene, and sesquiterpene, and Lund-Potsdam-Jena-General Ecosystem Simulator (LPJ-GUESS), for isoprene and monoterpenes. We found the millennial trends of global isoprene emissions to be mostly affected by land cover and atmospheric carbon dioxide changes, whereas monoterpene and sesquiterpene emission trends were dominated by temperature change. Isoprene emissions declined substantially in regions with large and rapid land cover change. In addition, isoprene emission sensitivity to drought proved to have significant short-term global effects. By the end of the past millennium MEGAN isoprene emissions were 634 TgC yr-1 (13% and 19% less than during 1750-1850 and 1000-1200, respectively), and LPJ-GUESS emissions were 323 TgC yr-1(15% and 20% less than during 1750-1850 and 1000-1200, respectively). Monoterpene emissions were 89 TgC yr-1(10% and 6% higher than during 1750-1850 and 1000-1200, respectively) in MEGAN, and 24 TgC yr-1 (2% higher and 5% less than during 1750-1850 and 1000-1200, respectively) in LPJ-GUESS. MEGAN sesquiterpene emissions were 36 TgC yr-1(10% and 4% higher than during 1750-1850 and 1000-1200, respectively). Although both models capture similar emission trends, the magnitude of the emissions are different. This highlights the importance of building better constraints on VOC emissions from terrestrial vegetation.

[The objective structured clinical evaluation of teaching in anaesthesiology and resuscitation]. / La evaluación clínica objetiva estructurada en la docencia en Anestesiología y Reanimación.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the acquirement of professional competencies of Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation medical residents at the end of their training period using the Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OCSE) tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six competency components to evalúate were defined as follows: clinical interview (communication), technical ability and relationship abilities (leadership, decision making, work in a team), diagnostic assessment, therapeutic management, and medical records. Different methodologies were determined depending on the knowledge and skills to evaluate. Twelve clinical cases were developed that were performed in 12 stations. A total of 107 Ítems, specified within the stations, evaluated the competency components. A total of 43 residents were invited to participate in the last 4 months of their training in hospitals in Andalusia and Extremadura. RESULTS: A total of 33 residents participated. The overall mean of the classifications obtained in the 12 stations was 64.2 out of a maximum of 100. The medical residents demonstrated higher competency in obstetrics, paediatric anaesthesia, and that associated with difficult airway. The main competency gaps were detected in the area of one-day surgery, chronic pain, and literature management, in which approximately half passed the test. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that training evaluations, such as the OCSE, help in determining the skill levels of the medical resident, making it easier to continually improve the training of the future anaesthesiologist.

Effect of ivermectin on the liver of gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata: a proteomic approach.

Gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata is the most commercialized Mediterranean aquacultured fish species. Ivermectin has recently (experimentally) started to be used to control ectoparasitic infestations in Mediterranean cultured marine fish. The potential hepatotoxicity of ivermectin was investigated in gilthead sea bream juveniles (35g) following oral administration at the recommended dose of 0.2 mgkg(-1) fish for 10d. Difference Gel Electrophoresis Technology (DIGE) was used to study the effect of this treatment in gilthead sea bream liver protein profile under routine culture conditions. The 2D-DIGE protein maps obtained were analyzed using the DeCyder 6.5 software. The results obtained showed significant changes in the expression of 36 proteins respect to the control group. Among these proteins, six increased in abundance, and 30 decreased. Spot showing differential expression respect to the control were analyzed by mass spectrometry and database search, which resulted in three positive identifications corresponding to hepatic proteins involved in lipid metabolism (apoA-I), oxidative stress responses and energy generation (beta-globin, ATP synthase subunit beta). These proteins have not been previously associated to invermectin effect.

Tissue-specific robustness of fatty acid signatures in cultured gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) fed practical diets with a combined high replacement of fish meal and fish oil.

The present study aimed to determine the tissue-specific robustness of fatty acid (FA) signatures of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) by analyzing the changes in lipid class and FA composition of skeletal muscle, brain, liver, and mesenteric adipose tissue. Triplicate groups of fish were fed to visual satiety over a 14-mo production cycle with 2 practical plant protein-based diets formulated with either fish oil or a blend of vegetable oils (66% of fish oil replacement) to contain 53% CP and 21% crude fat on a DM basis. Growth rates (P = 0.22) and tissue lipid class composition were not altered by the dietary treatment (P = 0.34 and 0.52 for neutral lipids and phospholipids, respectively). The FA signatures of neutral lipids reflected the composition of the diet, although the output of principal components analysis revealed a divergent FA profile for liver compared with skeletal muscle, brain, and mesenteric adipose tissue. Because the theoretical EFA needs were met by the 2 diets, the FA composition of phospholipids remained almost unaltered in all tissues. Interestingly, however, the brain showed the greatest robustness and regulatory capacity to preserve the phenotype of fish fed fish oil-based diets. The FA signatures of total lipids are a combinatory result of neutral and polar lipids, and the most relevant fat storage tissues (mesenteric adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) were more easily influenced by dietary FA composition. The present study provides new insights into fish tissue FA composition and reinforces the use of FA signatures as useful criteria in determining whether EFA requirements for a wide range of physiological processes, including those of neural tissues, can be met with practical fish feeds.