Effect of Postbiotic Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility and Milk Yield during the Transition Period in Dairy Cows.

The metabolites secreted by probiotics or released after their lysis are called postbiotics. They provide physiological benefits to the host, preventing the colonisation of pathogens by improving the intestinal environment for beneficial commensal bacteria, which reduces the incidence of digestive disorders and improves the immune system. The aim of this work was to evaluate the addition of postbiotics to dairy cow rations during the transition period on nutrient digestibility, composition, and milk yield. The effects of two postbiotics were evaluated in twelve Friesian cows from 30 days before calving to two months of lactation. The animals were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: control (CT) and supplemented with postbiotics (PC and PR). Feeding was ad libitum with 60/40 of forage/concentrate ratio on dry matter basis. Daily feed intake and milk production were recorded individually throughout the study. Two digestibility balances were performed, one before parturition and one after parturition. Colostrum was sampled at first milking and milk was sampled weekly. Data were analysed using a mixed mode in R software 4.4.1. The results suggest that postbiotic supplementation in late gestation and early lactation increase the voluntary intake of dry matter, especially in the PR treatment, with higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre. Both treatments including postbiotics induced an increase in colostral immunoglobulin concentration. Milk production of cows receiving the PC treatment was the highest, with high fat and protein yields and a higher persistence of the production curve throughout the lactation.

Breast Cancer Patient's Outcomes after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery at 5 and 10 Years for Stage II-III Disease.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer offers the possibility to facilitate breast and axillary surgery; it is a test of chemosensibility in vivo with significant prognostic value and may be used to tailor adjuvant treatment according to the response. Material and Methods: A retrospective single-institution cohort of 482 stage II and III breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on anthracycline and taxans, plus antiHEr2 in Her2-positive cases, was studied. Survival was calculated at 5 and 10 years. Kaplan-Meier curves with a log-rank test were calculated for differences according to age, BRCA status, menopausal status, TNM, pathological and molecular surrogate subtype, 20% TIL cut-off, surgical procedure, response to chemotherapy and the presence of vascular invasion. Results: The pCR rate was 25.3% and was greater in HER2 (51.3%) and TNBC (31.7%) and in BRCA carriers (41.9%). The factors independently related to patient survival were pathology and molecular surrogate subtype, type of surgery, response to NACT and vascular invasion. BRCA status was a protective prognostic factor without reaching statistical significance, with an HR 0.5 (95%CI 0.1-1.4). Mastectomy presented a double risk of distant recurrence compared to breast-conservative surgery (BCS), supporting BCS as a safe option after NACT. After a mean follow-up of 126 (SD 43) months, luminal tumors presented a substantial difference in survival rates calculated at 5 or 10 years (81.2% compared to 74.7%), whereas that for TNBC was 75.3 and 73.5, respectively. The greatest difference was seen according to the response in patients with pCR, who exhibited a 10 years DDFS of 95.5% vs. 72.4% for those patients without pCR, p < 0001. This difference was especially meaningful in TNBC: the 10 years DDFS according to an RCB of 0 to 3 was 100%, 80.6%, 69% and 49.2%, respectively, p < 0001. Patients with a particularly poor prognosis were those with lobular carcinomas, with a 10 years DDFS of 42.9% vs. 79.7% for ductal carcinomas, p = 0.001, and patients with vascular invasion at the surgical specimen, with a 10 years DDFS of 59.2% vs. 83.6% for those patients without vascular invasion, p < 0.001. Remarkably, BRCA carriers presented a longer survival, with an estimated 10 years DDFS of 89.6% vs. 77.2% for non-carriers, p = 0.054. Conclusions: Long-term outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can help patients and clinicians make well-informed decisions.

An Escherichia coli-Based Phosphorylation System for Efficient Screening of Kinase Substrates.

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs), particularly phosphorylation, play a pivotal role in expanding the complexity of the proteome and regulating diverse cellular processes. In this study, we present an efficient Escherichia coli phosphorylation system designed to streamline the evaluation of potential substrates for Arabidopsis thaliana plant kinases, although the technology is amenable to any. The methodology involves the use of IPTG-inducible vectors for co-expressing kinases and substrates, eliminating the need for radioactive isotopes and prior protein purification. We validated the system's efficacy by assessing the phosphorylation of well-established substrates of the plant kinase SnRK1, including the rat ACETYL-COA CARBOXYLASE 1 (ACC1) and FYVE1/FREE1 proteins. The results demonstrated the specificity and reliability of the system in studying kinase-substrate interactions. Furthermore, we applied the system to investigate the phosphorylation cascade involving the A. thaliana MKK3-MPK2 kinase module. The activation of MPK2 by MKK3 was demonstrated to phosphorylate the Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), confirming the system's ability to unravel sequential enzymatic steps in phosphorylation cascades. Overall, this E. coli phosphorylation system offers a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable approach for screening potential kinase substrates, presenting a valuable tool to complement the current portfolio of molecular techniques for advancing our understanding of kinase functions and their roles in cellular signaling pathways.

Structural vulnerability in EPCR suggests functional modulation.

The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is a fundamental component of the vascular system in mammals due to its contribution in maintaining blood in a non-prothrombotic state, which is crucial for overall life development. It accomplishes this by enhancing the conversion of protein C (PC) into the anticoagulant activated protein C (APC), with this property being dependent on a known EPCR conformation that enables direct interaction with PC/APC. In this study, we report a previously unidentified conformation of EPCR whereby Tyr154, critical for PC/APC binding, shows a striking non-canonical configuration. This unconventional form is incompatible with PC/APC binding, and reveals, for the first time, a region of structural vulnerability and potential modulation in EPCR. The identification of this malleability enhances our understanding of this receptor, prompting inquiries into the interplay between its plasticity and function, as well as its significance within the broader framework of EPCR's biology, which extends to immune conditions.

Effect of Using Faba Bean and/or Italian Ryegrass in Total Mixed Rations to Dairy Cows.

The livestock sector must find solutions to reduce the feeding costs and meet the challenge for a more sustainable production system in line with the European Green Deal requirements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of including legume silage on voluntary intake in dairy cows, milk production, and composition. Three total mixed rations (TMR) based on faba bean (FB), Italian ryegrass (IR), or faba bean-Italian ryegrass intercrop (FBIR, 60:40) silages were used in feeding trials of dairy cows during two consecutive years. Nine Friesian cows were randomly allocated in three groups, following a 3 × 3 Latin square design with three diets for three periods. TMR were offered ad libitum in addition to eighteen hours of grazing daily and extra concentrate during milking. No differences were observed in dry matter intake. Diets did not affect milk production or composition, except for urea content, with a higher urea excretion in FB diet. Fatty acid profile was different in milk from cows feeding FB, with a significantly lower content of saturated fatty acids and a higher content of conjugated linoleic acid than milk produced with FBIR and IR diets.

The Dairy Cow Slurry Composition Used as Organic Fertilizer Is Influenced by the Level and Origin of the Dietary Protein.

Less than 30% of dairy cattle's nitrogen ingested is retained in milk. Therefore, large amounts of nitrogen can be excreted in manure and urine with a potential environmental impact. In addition, some legume forages can be more susceptible to proteolysis during the silage process than grasses, and dairy cows fed these legume silages would excrete a larger quantity of nitrogen in slurry. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the amount of nitrogen excretion in dairy cows fed different protein levels and legume silages with a view to improve the slurry quality as a co-product that can be used as fertilizer. Two double 3 × 3 Latin square trials were carried out in order to study three different protein levels (high, medium, and low) and three different silages (grass, faba bean, and field pea). Dry matter intake, milk production, and composition were not affected by treatments. The excretion of ammonia-N in the urine was almost four times lower in the diet with the lowest protein level. The ammonia-N in the urine was twice as high with the pea silage than faba bean and grass silages. In conclusion, the diet containing 13% of protein meets the protein requirement for lactating cows producing 31 kg daily, with low nitrogen excretion in the urine, and the main pathway for the excretion of surplus nitrogen from legume silages is through urine and the metabolization of pea silage protein goes toward ammonia-N.

The Mode of Grass Supply to Dairy Cows Impacts on Fatty Acid and Antioxidant Profile of Milk.

The optimization of milk production includes a rational use of forages, respect for the environment and offers the best quality to consumers. Milk production based on grass and forages produces healthier milk and it is widely spread throughout the Atlantic arc to maximize milk yield per hectare. However, the mode of offering the grass can have a major influence on milk composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of grass supply mode (grazing, zero-grazing or ensiling) on dairy cows' performance, with particular reference to fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants concentration. A three by three Latin square experiment was performed with 18 dairy cows. Experimental treatments consisted of exclusive feeding with grass silage and zero-grazing, both offered ad libitum indoors, or grazing for 24 h. The results showed that grazing cows had a higher dry matter intake and greater milk yield than cows feeding on grass silage and zero-grazing, as well as higher concentrations of protein, lactose, nonfat-solids and urea in milk than housed cows. Milk fat from grazing cows had a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than from cows feeding on grass silage and zero-grazing, with significant differences in the proportion of vaccenic and rumenic acids. The 18:1 trans-11 to 18:1 trans-10 ratio is proposed as biomarker to identify the milk produced from the management system of grazing cattle. Milk from grazing cows had a greater proportion of lutein than cows eating grass silage, with the zero-grazing system having intermediate values. In conclusion, the mode of grass supply affects fatty acid and antioxidant profiles of milk.

Correction: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Biomarkers Linked to Lung Metastatic Potential and Cell Stemness.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132546.].

Olfactory Disorder Pattern In Patients With Neurological Diseases Excluding Psychiatric And Traumatic Aetiologies. / Patrón olfativo en lesiones cerebrales no psiquiátricas ni traumáticas.

INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of olfactory ENT disorders are colds and flu, chronic sinusitis, allergies and traumatic brain injury. Rarer aetiologies include certain neurological, psychiatric and metabolic injuries. TARGET: The aim of this paper was to check the sort of olfactory disorders found in people who have suffered a brain injury, excluding: cranial traumas, psychiatric diseases, epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and synaesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study based on 61 patients with diagnoses of various neurological injuries, which were tested by BAST-24 olfactometer. The results were compared with those of a control group (n= 120). RESULTS: The results show major impairment in these patients' olfactory sense. The neurological injury patients were able to detect from 60-77% of the odours, while the control group were able to detect between 98-100%. The neurological patients were able, at best, to identify, 11-32% of the odours correctly, while the control group were able to correctly detect between 59 -75%. The differences between odour detection and correct identification were statistically significant (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded: a) Neurological injury, not caused by traumatic brain injury, psychiatric disorders or ENT diseases, ranged from 68-89% of the olfactory failures. b) We must bear in mind that these sorts of injuries can cause olfactory disorders. c) ENT and Neurologists should collaborate in the treatment of these disorders.

Capacity of milk composition to identify the feeding system used to feed dairy cows.

This Research Paper addresses the hypothesis that is possible to identify the type of feed used for dairy cows by means of the analysis of milk composition and the fatty acid profile of milk fat. Sixteen dairy farms were monitored during 1 year with quarterly visits between summer 2014 and spring 2015. Rations varied throughout the year due to annual dynamic change of forage production, forage rotation, variation of nutrient requirements according to physiological state of the animal, etc. The ingredients of the rations were analysed by cluster identifying five feeding systems based on the main ingredient of the diet: grazing, maize silage, grass silage, dry forage and concentrate. Milk composition could explain up to 91·3% of the total variability among feeding systems, while fatty acid profile could explain only up to 61·2% of total variability. However, when the sum of types of fatty acids and their ratios are taken, up to 93·5% of total variability could be explained. The maize silage system had the greatest milk yield, protein, solid non-fat and urea proportions, as well as the highest proportion of saturated fatty acid and lowest concentration of trans11 18 : 1, cis9 18 : 1 and 18 : 3 n3. Principal component analysis distinguishes the maize silage system from other feeding systems, both from milk composition and milk fatty acid profile. Concentrate system overlapped partially with the grazing, grass silage and dry forage systems. The latter systems had the highest concentrations of cis9 18 : 1, trans11 18 : 1 and 18 : 3, but there was no clear differentiation among them.

Handheld NIRS sensors for routine compound feed quality control: Real time analysis and field monitoring.

Significant advances achieved in different sensor technologies and computer processing data have made possible to respond the needs of livestock sector, providing precise and rapid information on feed composition, being an alternative to real time quality control on compound feed the use of handheld NIRS sensors. This work aimed to evaluate two hand-held portable NIR spectrophotometers for on-site and real time analysis of nutritive parameters in raw compound feed: Phazir 1624 Polychromix Inc (PhIR) and MicroNIRTM 1700 by JDSU (MICRO). For computing data, different combinations of pre-treatments and multivariate statistical methods have been assayed to extract the valuable information of spectra data and to develop appropriate calibrations. The calibration models displayed greatest predictive capacity for Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fiber (CF) and Starch (STCH) and the determination coefficients of cross validation were 0.90-0.88 for CP, 0.85-0.91 for CF, 0.89-0.88 and 0.89-0.91 for STCH using PhIR and MICRO instruments respectively. Dry Matter showed the lowest determination coefficients of cross validation 0.67-0.73. Accuracy achieved 99-101% for both NIRS instruments and no differences were found when applying tstudent-test comparing reference and predicted data. Results obtained with both instruments were compared by using standard deviation and not significant differences were observed at the 5% level. Results so far have demonstrated the potential of these handheld NIRS instruments proposed here to estimate the individual compound feeds composition changes at farms level instantly, time avoiding the disadvantage of moving the samples to the lab.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Biomarkers Linked to Lung Metastatic Potential and Cell Stemness.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung-metastasizing neoplasm caused by the proliferation of smooth muscle-like cells that commonly carry loss-of-function mutations in either the tuberous sclerosis complex 1 or 2 (TSC1 or TSC2) genes. While allosteric inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has shown substantial clinical benefit, complementary therapies are required to improve response and/or to treat specific patients. However, there is a lack of LAM biomarkers that could potentially be used to monitor the disease and to develop other targeted therapies. We hypothesized that the mediators of cancer metastasis to lung, particularly in breast cancer, also play a relevant role in LAM. Analyses across independent breast cancer datasets revealed associations between low TSC1/2 expression, altered mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway signaling, and metastasis to lung. Subsequently, immunohistochemical analyses of 23 LAM lesions revealed positivity in all cases for the lung metastasis mediators fascin 1 (FSCN1) and inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1). Moreover, assessment of breast cancer stem or luminal progenitor cell biomarkers showed positivity in most LAM tissue for the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), integrin-ß3 (ITGB3/CD61), and/or the sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) proteins. The immunohistochemical analyses also provided evidence of heterogeneity between and within LAM cases. The analysis of Tsc2-deficient cells revealed relative over-expression of FSCN1 and ID1; however, Tsc2-deficient cells did not show higher sensitivity to ID1-based cancer inhibitors. Collectively, the results of this study reveal novel LAM biomarkers linked to breast cancer metastasis to lung and to cell stemness, which in turn might guide the assessment of additional or complementary therapeutic opportunities for LAM.

Subclinical ketosis on dairy cows in transition period in farms with contrasting butyric acid contents in silages.

This study examines the relationship between subclinical ketosis (SCK) in dairy cows and the butyric acid content of the silage used in their feeding. Twenty commercial farms were monitored over a period of 12 months. The feed at each farm and the silages used in its ration were sampled monthly for proximal analysis and for volatile fatty acid analysis. A total of 2857 urine samples were taken from 1112 cows to examine the ketonuria from about 30 days prepartum to 100 postpartum. Wide variation was recorded in the quality of silages used in the preparation of diets. Approximately 80% of the urine samples analyzed had no detectable ketone bodies, 16% returned values indicative of slight SCK, and the remainder, 4%, showed symptoms of ketosis. Most of the cases of hyperkenuria were associated with the butyric acid content of the silage used (r2=0.56; P<0.05). As the metabolizable energy content of the feed was similar, no relationship was observed between the proportion of cows with SCK and the energy content of the feed. In our study, the probability of dairy cows suffering SCK is higher when they are eating feed made from silage with a high butyric acid content (35.2 g/kg DM intake).

Effect of total mixed ration composition and daily grazing pattern on milk production, composition and fatty acids profile of dairy cows.

The possibilities of using high quality pastures in conjunction with total mixed ration (TMR) during the grazing season have been examined. An experiment with sixteen Holstein cows blocked and randomly assigned to four treatments in a factorial arrangement was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of grazing time of day (day or night) and type of silage (maize or Italian ryegrass) included in the TMR of dairy cows grazing 12 h daily on milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile. The silage type had no effect on the dry matter intake, milk yield and fat and protein proportions. However, cows grazing during the night ate more grass than cows grazing during the day (8·53 vs. 5·65 kg DM/d; P<0·05). No differences were seen between grazing-time with respect to milk production, fat and protein contents. However, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acid was higher in milk of dairy cows grazing at night-time than grazing at day-time, especially 18:2n-6 (2·37 vs. 2·12 g/100 g FA respectively, P<0·05) and 18:2cis9trans11 (2·08 vs. 1·74 g/100 g FA respectively, P<0·05).

Long term serious olfactory loss in colds and/or flu.

INTRODUCTION: In the general population, we can find 2-3% of lifelong olfactory disorders (from hyposmia to anosmia). Two of the most frequent aetiologies are the common cold and flu. The aim of this study was to show the degree of long-term olfactory dysfunction caused by a cold or flu. METHODS: This study was based on 240 patients, with olfactory loss caused only by flu or a cold. We excluded all patients with concomitant illness (66 patients), the rest of patients (n=174) consisted of 51 men (29.3%) and 123 women (70.7%). They all underwent olfactometry study (i and v cranial nerve) and a nasal sinus computed tomography scan, as well as magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Results were compared with a control group (n=120). RESULTS: Very significant differences in levels of olfactory impairment for the olfactory nerve (P<.00001) and trigeminal nerve (P<.0001) were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: People that suffer olfactory dysfunction for more than 6 months, from flu or a cold, present serious impairment of olfactory abilities.

Obstructive sleep apnea in normal weight patients: characteristics and comparison with overweight and obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in normal weight patients and their characteristics, and to compare these with overweight and obese patients. METHODS: We studied all patients with suspected OSA referred to the sleep laboratory from January to December 2009. OSA was diagnosed when the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was >5 and symptoms were present. MS was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The patients were distributed into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal weight (<25kg/m(2)), overweight (25-29.9kg/m(2)) and obese (≥30kg/m(2)). RESULTS: We studied 475 patients: 7.60% normal weight and 56.4% obese. Most patients in the normal weight group were women, snorers, non-smokers, non-drinkers and were significantly younger and with a smaller neck and waist circumference than obese and overweight patients. OSA was diagnosed in 90.10%: 77.70% normal weight. OSA in these patients was mostly mild, and there were differences between the diagnosis of OSA and the BMI classified. MS was diagnosed in 64.40%: 33.33% normal weight. There was a higher probability of MS as the BMI increased. OSA and MS frequency in normal weight patients was 22% and in obese patients was 70.52%. OSA in normal weight patients was related with gender and age. There was no relationship between OSA and MS, or between otorhinolaryngological malformations and OSA in normal weight patients. Eight normal weight patients with OSA were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of OSA in normal weight patients was lower than in overweight and obese patients. The frequency of concomitant OSA and MS was lower in normal weight patients than in obese subjects. Normal weight patients were mostly women, younger and had no toxic habits. In normal weight patients, age and gender were predictive factors for OSA, but OSA and MS were not related.

Improving the fatty acid profile of dairy cow milk by combining grazing with feeding of total mixed ration.

Grazing cows could produce milk with a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is beneficial to human health, compared with non-grazing cows, though grazing alone could compromise milk production. Under oceanic climate conditions, a study involving 15 dairy cows, fed total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum in combination with different grazing times of 12 h (TMR12), 6 h (TMR06) and zero grazing time (TMR00) with the aim to evaluate different strategies on the fatty acids profile of milk and milk production. No differences were seen between the treatments with respect to milk yield (34.4+/-6.3 kg/d) or milk protein content (30.4+/-1.8 g/kg). The milk produced by the TMR12 cows had less total fat (36.2 vs. 38.2 g/kg) and saturated fatty acid (FA, 69.39 vs. 71.44 g/100 g FA) than that produced by the TMR00 cows. The concentration of vaccenic acid in the TMR06 and TMR12 milk was twice that of the TMR00 milk (4.22, 4.09 and 2.26 g/100 g FA respectively). Linear increases in conjugated linoleic (CLA) and linolenic acids were observed with increasing grazing time. Pasture was an important source of FA especially C18:3 for TMR06 and TMR12 cows. Under oceanic climatic conditions, the grazing of dairy cows as a complement to feeding with TMR can improve the FA profile of milk and increase its CLA content.

[Prevalence of neural tube defects in Asturias (Spain): impact of prenatal diagnosis]. / Frecuencia de los defectos del tubo neural en Asturias: impacto del diagnóstico prenatal.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and prevalence trend for neural tube defects (NTD) (anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele) in Asturias (Spain), as well as the impact of prenatal diagnosis programs. METHODS: All cases of NTD in births and induced abortions were studied, using data from the Registry of Congenital Defects of Asturias for 1990-2004. Total and birth prevalence rates were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of NTD for 1990-2004 was 12.2 per 10,000 births (5.9 anencephaly, 5.0 spina bifida and 1.3 encephalocele) and showed a slightly decreasing trend due to a significant decline in spina bifida prevalence. The prevalence of anencephaly and encephalocele remained stable. The percentage of induced abortions after prenatal diagnosis among all NTD was 88% (anencephaly 96.7%, spina bifida 80% and encephalocele 84.6%), leading to a very low birth prevalence (1.4 per 10,000) for the entire period. CONCLUSIONS: The total prevalence of spina bifida has decreased in the last 15 years in Asturias. Secondary prevention through prenatal diagnosis and interruption of affected pregnancies have resulted in a marked decrease in NTD at birth. The recommendation of periconceptional use of folic acid seems not to have achieved the desired effect.

[Prevalence and secular trend of congenital defects in Asturias, Spain. The need for clinical-epidemiological surveillance]. / Frecuencia y tendencia temporal de los defectos congénitos en Asturias. La necesidad de la vigilancia clinicoepidemiológica.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital defects remain the second cause of perinatal and infant death and the third cause between the second and fifth years of life in Asturias. These anomalies generate substantial morbidity. The aim of the present study was to describe the population-based frequency of congenital defects in Asturias and their forms of presentation. METHODS: Data from the population-based Registry of Congenital Defects of Asturias for 1990-2004 were analyzed. The data related to live births, stillbirths and induced abortions after prenatal diagnosis and are presented as birth prevalence and total prevalence (including induced abortions). RESULTS: The total number of births was 103,452 and there were 3,035 cases of congenital defects, representing a total prevalence of 2.9 cases per 100 births and a birth prevalence of 2.5%. These figures showed a tendency to increase throughout the study period. A total of 2,516 (82.9%) cases were live births, 46 (1.5%) were stillbirths and 473 (15.6%) were induced abortions. Prenatal diagnosis increased throughout the period. Sixtythree percent of total cases showed an isolated defect, 17% a recognized syndrome and the remaining 20% had multiple malformations without a syndromic pattern. The most frequent and severe defects registered were neural tube defects (12.2 per 10,000 births), chromosomal abnormalities (34.4 per 10,000), and cardiac defects (75.2 per 10,000). CONCLUSIONS: The 15-year experience of the Registry of Congenital Defects of Asturias reveals the utility of this type of database to evaluate prenatal screening programs, plan the resources needed in affected pregnant women and infants, and perform epidemiological surveillance of congenital defects in relation to environmental risks, drug exposure and assisted reproduction techniques.

[Varicella and parvovirus B19 immunity among pregnant women in Gijón, Spain]. / Prevalencia de inmunidad frente al virus de la varicela y al parvovirus B19 en gestantes de Gijón.

BACKGROUND: We aimed at determining the inmunological status regarding varicella and parvovirus B19 in pregnant women in Gijón, Spain, and its correlation with several clinical and epidemiological parameters. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Blood samples taken during the first trimester of pregnancy in the area of Gijón were analysed to determine the immunological status with respect to varicella and parvovirus B19. The study included 2 groups: 99 non-European (all tested for both varicella and parvovirus) and 2,188 Europeans (406 were randomly selected for varicella test and 287 for parvovirus test). All patients underwent a clinical-epidemiological survey. RESULTS: With regard to varicella, while 89% of pregnant women aged 14 to 35 years displayed immunity, this percentage reached 100% in those older than 35 years. Sensitivity was 73.8%, specificity 74.4%, positive predictive value 96.6% and negative predictive value was 22.6%. As for parvovirus B19, immunity was observed in 59.9% of Europeans and 67.7% of non-Europeans, without significant differences in the analysed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Susceptibility to infection by varicella among pregnant women younger than 36 years reaches 10% in Gijón. Clinical surveys are useful to avoid a pre-vaccination serological study in an already immune population. Just over one third of these pregnant women are susceptible to infection by parvovirus B19.