Beyond lectures and practical courses: Teaching pharmacology using imaginative pedagogical tools.

Pharmacology has broadened its scope considerably in recent decades. Initially, it was of interest to chemists, doctors and pharmacists. In recent years, however, it has been incorporated into the teaching of biologists, molecular biologists, biotechnologists, chemical engineers and many health professionals, among others. Traditional teaching methods, such as lectures or laboratory work, have been superseded by the use of new pedagogical approaches to enable a better conceptualization and understanding of the discipline. In this article, we present several new methods that have been used in Spanish universities. Firstly, we describe a teaching network that has allowed the sharing of pedagogical innovations in Spanish universities. A European experience to improve prescribing safety is described in detail. The use of popular films and medical TV series in biomedical students shows how these audiovisual resources can be helpful in teaching pharmacology. The use of virtual worlds is detailed to introduce this new approach to teaching. The increasingly important area of the social aspects of pharmacology is also considered in two sections, one devoted to social pharmacology and the other to the use of learning based on social services to improve understanding of this important area. Finally, the use of Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation in pharmacology allows to know how this approach can help to better evaluate clinical pharmacology students. In conclusion, this article allows to know new pedagogical methods resources used in some Spanish universities that may help to improve the teaching of pharmacology.

First-principles investigation of oxidized Si- and Ge-terminated diamond (100) surfaces.

Diamond is a semiconductor material with remarkable structural, thermal, and electronic properties that has garnered significant interest in the field of electronics. Although hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) terminations are conventionally favored in transistor designs, alternative options, such as silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), are being explored because of their resilience to harsh processing conditions during fabrication. Density-functional theory was used to examine the non-oxidized and oxidized group-IV (Si and Ge)-terminated diamond (100) surfaces. The (3 × 1) reconstructed surfaces feature an ether configuration and show relative stability compared with the bare surface. Hybrid-functional calculations of the electronic properties revealed reduced fundamental bandgaps (<1 eV) and lower negative electron affinities (NEAs) than those of H-terminated diamond surfaces, which is attributed to the introduction of unoccupied Si (Ge) states and the depletion of negative charges. Furthermore, oxidation of these surfaces enhanced the stability of the diamond surfaces but resulted in two structural configurations: ether and ketone. Oxidized ether configurations displayed insulating properties with energy gaps of ∼4.3 ± 0.3 eV, similar to H-terminated diamond (100) surfaces, whereas bridged ether configurations exhibited metallic properties. Oxidization of the metallic ketone configurations leads to the opening of relatively smaller gaps in the range of 1.1-1.7 eV. Overall, oxidation induced a shift from NEAs to positive electron affinities, except for the reverse-ordered ketone surface with an NEA of -0.94 eV, a value comparable to the H-terminated diamond (100) surfaces. In conclusion, oxidized group-IV-terminated diamond surfaces offer enhanced stability compared to H-terminated surfaces and display unique structural and electronic properties that are influenced by surface bonding.

Real-World Clinical, Psychosocial and Financial Burden of Atopic Dermatitis: Results from the Spanish Cohort of the MEASURE-AD Trial. / Carga clínica, psicosocial y económica de la dermatitis atópica en vida real: resultados de la cohorte española del estudio MEASURE-AD.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent skin diseases, but there are numerous knowledge gaps surrounding the impact this disease has on quality of life (QoL), mental health, and out-of-pocket expenses involved in the management of AD. The available scientific evidence on the multidimensional burden of AD is usually based on studies with measures reported by patients themselves. METHODS: In this context, the MEASURE-AD trial was developed as a cross-sectional, multicenter, multinational trial using patient- and physician-reported measures to characterize the multidimensional burden of AD in adults with moderate-to-severe AD. RESULTS: This paper presents the results of the Spanish cohort. We found that Spanish adults with moderate-to-severe AD and high EASI score (21.1-72) had a significantly increased disease burden, high severity of symptoms such as itch and sleep disturbances, impaired mental health and QoL, higher use of health care resources, and more out-of-pocket expenses than patients with low EASI scores (0-7 or 7.1-21). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information to better understand disease burden, and identify aspects to be improved in the management of AD.

Parental assessment of infantile hemangioma cosmetic clinical outcomes: results of the Spanish Hemangioma Nationwide Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Functional impairment is the main consideration when it comes to choosing therapy for infantile hemangiomas (IH). However, since most hemangiomas are treated for cosmetic reasons, it is important to know the cosmetic outcome assessed by the parents. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the aesthetic outcomes of IH, considering the characteristics of the lesions and the treatments used. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Spanish Infantile Hemangioma Nationwide Prospective Cohort (2016-2022) recruited all consecutive patients diagnosed with IH in 12 Spanish hospitals. The children included had 2 photos of the IH lesion (at both baseline and at the end of the study). A panel of parents blindly assessed all available photos using a scale from 0 (worst cosmetic outcomes) to 10 (best cosmetic outcomes). The different scores -both before and after treatment-as well as the outcomes percent considered excellent (> 9) were described and compared. We analyzed the effect of receiving different therapies and performed causal model analyses estimating the mean treatment effect of parents' assessments. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 3.1 years. A total of 824 photos were evaluated. Baseline aesthetic impact was higher in the propranolol group vs the topical timolol and observation treatment groups (1.85 vs 3.14 vs 3.66 respectively; p < 0.001). After treatment, the aesthetic impact was similar between both treatment groups (7.59 vs 7.93 vs 7.90; p > 0.2). The causal model could only be applied to the comparison between topical timolol and observation, revealing no differences whatsoever. CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective cohort to analyze the aesthetic outcome of IH. The final aesthetic results of the 3 therapies were similar, with nearly 40% of patients achieving excellent aesthetic outcomes.

Application of nanosilica in the construction industry: A bibliometric analysis using Methodi Ordinatio.

The number of publications related to the implementation of nanotechnology in the construction industry, and specifically to the application of nanosilica (SiO2), has had a constant increase in recent years. Based on this, in the present work, an analysis was carried out using bibliometric techniques, with the aim at characterizing the development of specialized literature and identifying the largest areas of growth in the field, maintaining hydrophobic nanosilica as the research guideline. This analysis acquired information from the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases to compare bibliometric indicators of the publications. It should be noted that, even though bibliometric analysis is useful to identify the study areas of greatest interest, to complement this work, the implementation of a method that helped in the research process to obtain the most important bibliography was required. This study implemented Methodi Ordinatio, which helped to take a new direction. Therefore, based on this method, a list of articles cataloged and ranked is obtained, which is the basis for integrating the final bibliographic portfolio. •The study applies the Methodi Ordinatio to obtain a portfolio of the most relevant articles to guide the researchers' work.•Insightful information can be obtained using VOSviewer to analyze and visualize metadata of the bibliographic portfolio.•The study demonstrates how the alpha value in the InOrdinatio formula modifies the resulting portfolio.

3D-printed portable device for illicit drug identification based on smartphone-imaging and artificial neural networks.

In this manuscript, a 3D-printed analytical device has been successfully developed to classify illicit drugs using smartphone-based colorimetry. Representative compounds of different families, including cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamine and cathinone derivatives, pyrrolidine cathinones, and 3,4-methylenedioxy cathinones, have been analyzed and classified after appropriate reaction with Marquis, gallic acid, sulfuric acid, Simon and Scott reagents. A picture of the colored products was acquired using a smartphone, and the corrected RGB values were used as input data in the chemometric treatment. ANN using two active layers of nodes (6 nodes in layer 1 and 2 nodes in layer 2) with a sigmoidal transfer function and a minimum strict threshold of 0.50 identified illicit drug samples with a sensitivity higher than 83.4 % and a specificity of 100 % with limits of detection in the microgram range. The 3D printed device can operate connected to a rechargeable lithium-ion cell portable battery, is inexpensive, and requires minimal training. The analytical device has been able to discriminate the analyzed psychoactive substances from cutting and mixing agents, being a useful tool for law enforcement agents to use as a screening method.

Smokers and risk of hospital death by COVID calculated with SAVANA's natural language processing in the Castilla-La Mancha area.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID pandemic, it was speculated that patients with the virus who were smoking-related might have a lower likelihood of disease exacerbation or death. To assess whether there is an association between smoking and risk of in-hospital mortality, SAVANA's big data and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology is used. METHOD: A retrospective, observational, non-interventional cohort study was conducted based on real-life data extracted from medical records throughout Castilla La Mancha using Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence techniques developed by SAVANA. The study covered the entire population of this region with Electronic Medical Records in SESCAM presenting with a diagnosis of COVID from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. RESULTS: Smokers had a significantly higher percentage of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes), COPD, asthma, IDP, IC, CVD, PTE, cancer in general and lung cancer in particular, bronchiectasis, heart failure and a history of pneumonia (p < 0.0001).Former smokers, current smokers and non-smokers have a significant age difference. As for in-hospital deaths, they were more frequent in the case of ex-smokers, followed by smokers and then non-smokers (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is an increased risk of dying in hospital in SARS-COV2-infected patients who are active smokers or have smoked in the past.

Quality of analgesic care in labor: A cross-sectional study of the first national register-based benchmarking system.

OBJECTIVE: Unlike other types of acute pain, labor pain is considered physiological. Due to the heterogeneous management during labor, there is a lack of intention to define quality of care of peripartal analgesia. This study presents the first results of the national register for this evaluation. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study, conducted in five different German level-three hospitals, included women after vaginal childbirth between January 2020 and January 2022. A validated questionnaire was completed 24 h postpartum, including information about labor pain, satisfaction, and expectations regarding analgesia. Data were centrally recorded with obstetric records using the database of the QUIPS (Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Management) Project. RESULTS: A total of 514 women were included. On an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale, pain intensity during labor was severe (8.68 ± 1.8) while postpartal pain was 3.9 (±2.1). The second stage of labor was considered the most painful period. Only 62.6% of the parturients obtained pharmacological support, with epidural being the most effective (reduction of 3.8 ± 2.8 points). Only epidural (odds ratio [OR] 0.22) and inhalation of nitrous oxide (OR 0.33) were protective for severe pain. In benchmarking, a relation between satisfaction, pain intensity, and the use of epidural was found; 40.7% of the women wished they had received more analgesic support during labor. CONCLUSION: This study highlights deficiencies in analgesic management in high-level perinatal centers, with more than 40% of parturients considering actual practices as insufficient and wishing they had received more analgesic support, despite the availability of analgesic options. Using patient-reported outcomes can guarantee qualitative tailored analgesic care in women.

Understanding limb necrotizing infections: A comprehensive approach.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are increasing, posing a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Due to nonspecific symptoms, a high index of suspicion is crucial. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach, with broad-spectrum antibiotics, early surgical debridement, and life support. This study analyzes the characteristics, demographics, complications, and treatment of NSTI in a hospital in Madrid, Spain. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted, including all surgically treated NSTI patients at our center from January 2016 to December 2022, examining epidemiological and clinical data. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) was prospectively calculated for all patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (16 men, 6 women, mean age 54.8) were included. Median time from symptom onset to emergency room visit was 3.5 days. All reported severe treatment-resistant pain; sixteen had fever exceeding 37.8°C (72.7%). Skin lesions occurred in twelve (54.5%), and thirteen had hypotension and tachycardia (59.1%). Treatment involved resuscitative support, antibiotherapy, and radical debridement. Median time to surgery was 8.25h. Intraoperative cultures were positive in twenty patients: twelve Streptococcus pyogenes, four Staphylococcus aureus, one Escherichia coli, and four polymicrobial infection. In-hospital mortality rate was 22.73%. CONCLUSIONS: We examined the correlation between our results, amputation rates and mortality with LRINEC score and time to surgery. However, we found no significant relationship unlike some other studies. Nevertheless, a multidisciplinary approach with radical debridement and antibiotic therapy remains the treatment cornerstone. Our hospital stays, outcomes and mortality rates align with our literature review, confirming high morbimortality despite early and appropriate intervention.

Relationship between inflammation and oxidative stress and its effect on multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: This paper highlights the relationship of inflammation and oxidative stress as damage mechanisms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), considered an inflammatory and autoimmune disease. DEVELOPMENT: The oxidative stress concept has been defined by an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants. There is necessary to do physiological functions, like the respiration chain, but in certain conditions, the production of reactive species overpassed the antioxidant systems, which could cause tissue damage. On the other hand, it is well established that inflammation is a complex reaction in the vascularized connective tissue in response to diverse stimuli. However, an unregulated prolonged inflammatory process also can induce tissue damage. CONCLUSION: Both inflammation and oxidative stress are interrelated since one could promote the other, leading to a toxic feedback system, which contributes to the inflammatory and demyelination process in MS.

Concurrent uper limb and hip fracture in the elderly: experience at our centre. / Fracturas concomitantes de miembro superior y cadera en pacientes mayores de 65 años: experiencia en nuestro centro.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of hip fracture in the elderly is on the rise, occasionally accompanied by concurrent upper limb fractures. Our investigation aims to determine whether these patients experience poorer functional outcomes, prolonged hospitalization, or higher mortality rates when compared to those with isolated hip fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1,088 elderly patients admitted to our centre with hip fracture between January 2017 and March 2020. We recorded the presence of concomitant fractures and their treatment. We analyzed the duration of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality and function. RESULTS: We identified 63 patients with concomitant upper limb fracture (5.6%). Among them, 93.7% were women, and the average age was 86.4 years. 80.9% of the upper limb fractures were distal radius or proximal humerus. Patients with concomitant fracture had increased length of stay (mean, 19.6 vs, 12.8, p=0.002), decreased proportion of patients returning to their own home at discharge (23.6% vs, 26.3%, p=0.042) and increased in-hospital mortality rate (9.5% vs, 5.9%, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with concomitant upper limb fracture require a longer length of stay and exhibit an elevated in-hospital mortality rate. Furthermore, this condition is associated with a reduced short-term functional recovery, thereby decreasing the chances of the patient returning home upon hospital discharge.

Nailing intertrochanteric fractures in geriatric population: Do we know it all?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Pertrochanteric fractures constitute an important part of the daily activity of the orthopedic surgeon. The aim of this study was to carry out an analysis of pre-, intra- and post-operative radiographic parameters and to analyze the results of stable and unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with short nails with dynamic distal locking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study in our center, between the years 2017-2021 of patients over 65 years of age with pertrochanteric fracture. We included 272 patients treated with Gamma3 Nail (Stryker®) with dynamic distal locking. As variables, we recorded: age, medical comorbidities, fracture pattern according to AO/OTA, osteopenia according to Singh's classification, pre-operative (such as diaphyseal extension), intra-operative (such as tip-to-the-apex or medial cortical support) and post-operative radiographic parameters (such as time to consolidation or loss of reduction), pre- and post-operative Barthel, quality of life and complications and reinterventions, such as non-union or cut-out. RESULTS: The mean age was 83.28 years (65-102). Two hundred four cases were women (75%). The average follow-up was 18.2 months (12-24). The distribution according to AO/OTA classification was 85.7% 31.A1; 12.5% 31.A2; 1.9% 31.A3. Radiographic consolidation was obtained in 97.4% of cases. Tip to apex distance was less than 25mm in 95.6% of cases. Medial cortical support was positive or neutral in 88.6% of cases. Sixty cases (22.1%) of screw back-out were recorded. Eight reinterventions (2.9%) were performed, corresponding to three cut-outs (1.1%), three non-unions (1.1%), one avascular necrosis (0.4%) and one secondary hip osteoarthritis (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Short nail with dynamic distal locking offers good clinical, radiological and functional results in all types of AO/OTA patterns, without increasing the complication rate, as long as there is an appropriate tip-to-the-apex distance and good medial cortical support.

Exogenous application of salicylic acid induces salinity tolerance in eggplant seedlings / Aplicação exógena de ácido salicílico induz tolerância à salinidade em mudas de berinjela

Abstract Under salt stress conditions, plant growth is reduced due to osmotic, nutritional and oxidative imbalance. However, salicylic acid acts in the mitigation of this abiotic stress by promoting an increase in growth, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, synthesis of osmoregulators and antioxidant enzymes. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid doses on the growth and physiological changes of eggplant seedlings under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, where the treatments were distributed in randomized blocks using a central composite matrix Box with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (CEw) (0.50; 1.08; 2.50; 3.92 and 4.50 dS m-1), associated with five doses of salicylic acid (SA) (0.00; 0.22; 0.75; 1.28 and 1.50 mM), with four repetitions and each plot composed of three plants. At 40 days after sowing, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, and total dry mass were determined. ECw and SA application influenced the growth and physiological changes of eggplant seedlings. Increasing the ECw reduced growth in the absence of SA. Membrane damage with the use of SA remained stable up to 3.9 dS m-1 of ECw. The relative water content independent of the CEw increased with 1.0 mM of SA. The use of SA at the concentration of 1.0 mM mitigated the deleterious effect of salinity on seedling growth up to 2.50 dS m-1 of ECw.

Resumo Em condições de estresse salino, o crescimento das plantas é reduzido, em virtude, do desequilíbrio osmótico, nutricional e oxidativo. Contudo, o ácido salicílico atua na mitigação desse estresse abiótico por promover incremento no crescimento, fotossíntese, metabolismo do nitrogênio, síntese de osmorreguladores e enzimas antioxidantes. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de doses de ácido salicílico sobre o crescimento e alterações fisiológicas de mudas de berinjela sob estresse salino. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, onde os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso utilizando uma matriz composta central Box com cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa) (0,50; 1,08; 2,50; 3,92 e 4,50 dS m-1), associada a cinco doses de ácido salicílico (AS) (0,00; 0,22; 0,75; 1,28 e 1,50 mM), com quatro repetições e cada parcela composta por três plantas. Aos 40 dias após a semeadura, foram determinados a altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, área foliar, vazamento de eletrólito, teor relativo de água e massa seca total. A CEa e a aplicação de AS influenciaram no crescimento e nas alterações fisiológicas das mudas de berinjela. O aumento da CEa reduziu o crescimento na ausência de AS. O dano de membrana com o uso de AS manteve-se estável até 3,9 dS m-1 de CEa. O conteúdo relativo de água independentemente da CEa aumentou com 1 mM de SA. O uso de AS na concentração de 1 mM mitigou o efeito deletério da salinidade no crescimento das mudas até 2,50 dS m-1 de CEa.

Exogenous application of salicylic acid induces salinity tolerance in eggplant seedlings

Abstract Under salt stress conditions, plant growth is reduced due to osmotic, nutritional and oxidative imbalance. However, salicylic acid acts in the mitigation of this abiotic stress by promoting an increase in growth, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, synthesis of osmoregulators and antioxidant enzymes. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid doses on the growth and physiological changes of eggplant seedlings under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, where the treatments were distributed in randomized blocks using a central composite matrix Box with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (CEw) (0.50; 1.08; 2.50; 3.92 and 4.50 dS m-1), associated with five doses of salicylic acid (SA) (0.00; 0.22; 0.75; 1.28 and 1.50 mM), with four repetitions and each plot composed of three plants. At 40 days after sowing, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, and total dry mass were determined. ECw and SA application influenced the growth and physiological changes of eggplant seedlings. Increasing the ECw reduced growth in the absence of SA. Membrane damage with the use of SA remained stable up to 3.9 dS m-1 of ECw. The relative water content independent of the CEw increased with 1.0 mM of SA. The use of SA at the concentration of 1.0 mM mitigated the deleterious effect of salinity on seedling growth up to 2.50 dS m-1 of ECw.

Resumo Em condições de estresse salino, o crescimento das plantas é reduzido, em virtude, do desequilíbrio osmótico, nutricional e oxidativo. Contudo, o ácido salicílico atua na mitigação desse estresse abiótico por promover incremento no crescimento, fotossíntese, metabolismo do nitrogênio, síntese de osmorreguladores e enzimas antioxidantes. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de doses de ácido salicílico sobre o crescimento e alterações fisiológicas de mudas de berinjela sob estresse salino. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, onde os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso utilizando uma matriz composta central Box com cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa) (0,50; 1,08; 2,50; 3,92 e 4,50 dS m-1), associada a cinco doses de ácido salicílico (AS) (0,00; 0,22; 0,75; 1,28 e 1,50 mM), com quatro repetições e cada parcela composta por três plantas. Aos 40 dias após a semeadura, foram determinados a altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, área foliar, vazamento de eletrólito, teor relativo de água e massa seca total. A CEa e a aplicação de AS influenciaram no crescimento e nas alterações fisiológicas das mudas de berinjela. O aumento da CEa reduziu o crescimento na ausência de AS. O dano de membrana com o uso de AS manteve-se estável até 3,9 dS m-1 de CEa. O conteúdo relativo de água independentemente da CEa aumentou com 1 mM de SA. O uso de AS na concentração de 1 mM mitigou o efeito deletério da salinidade no crescimento das mudas até 2,50 dS m-1 de CEa.

Enfermedad podal en bovinos: prevalencia y asociación con algunas variables / Podal disease in cows: prevalence and association with some variables

RESUMEN La enfermedad podal constituye uno de los síndromes más difíciles de controlar en la industria lechera. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo cuantificar la prevalencia de enfermedad podal, evaluando su asociación con factores como raza, orden de parto y peso. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo que utiliza los registros sanitarios y productivos de un hato lechero ubicado en el trópico alto de Colombia. Los componentes raciales presentes fueron Fl Holstein x Blanco Orejinegro, 3/4 Holstein 1/4 Blanco Orejinegro, 5/8 Holstein 3/8 Blanco Orejinegro y Holstein 100%. Se consideraron 6 órdenes de parto. La variable enfermedad podal presenta una distribución binomial. El efecto de los factores se verificó utilizando un modelo lineal generalizado, por medio de una regresión logística (PROC GENMOD SAS versión 9.4). En caso de existir diferencias significativas, se aplicó el procedimiento LSMEANS del SAS (versión 9.4) y un Odds Rattio entre los niveles que presentaron significancia. La prevalencia de enfermedad podal en el hato fue de 10,55%. Los factores de riesgo considerados fueron estadísticamente significativos: componente racial (p < 0,0009), orden parto (p < 0,0001) y peso medio de las vacas (p < 0,0001). Se observó un incremento en la prevalencia de la enfermedad asociado a la raza Holstein, orden de parto alto y bajo peso corporal. La prevalencia de enfermedad podal fue mayor en vacas Holstein puras y menor en vacas Holstein cruzadas con Blanco Orejinegro, debido a la resistencia por heterosis que la raza criolla aporta. El incremento del orden de parto al igual que el bajo peso se relacionan con una mayor prevalencia de esta enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Foot disease is one of the most difficult syndromes to control in the dairy industry. The goal of this study was to quantify the prevalence of foot disease, evaluating its association with factors such as race, calving order and weight. This is a retrospective study using the health and production records of a dairy herd located in the high tropics of Colombia. The racial components present were F1 Holstein x Blanco Orejinegro, 3/4 Holstein 1/4 Blanco Orejinegro, 5/8 Holstein 3/8 Blanco Orejinegro, Holstein 100%. 6 delivery orders were considered. The variable foot disease presents a binomial distribution. The effect of the factors was verified using a generalized linear model, by means of a logistic regression (PROC GENMOD SAS version 9.4). In the event of significant differences, the SAS LSMEANS procedure (version 9.4) and an Odds Ratio were applied between the levels that presented significance. The prevalence of foot disease in the herd was 10,55%. The risk factors considered were statistically significant: racial component (p < 0,0009), calving order (p < 0,0001) and average weight of the cows (p < 0,0001). An increase in the prevalence of the disease was observed associated with the Holstein breed, high calving order and low body weight. The prevalence of foot disease was higher in pure Holstein cows and lower in Holstein cows crossed with Blanco Orejinegro due to the resistance due to heterosis that the creole breed contributes. The increase in the delivery order as well as the low weight are related to a higher prevalence of this disease.

Electrical Cochlear Response as an Objective Measure of Hearing Threshold and Hearing Performance Evaluation in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users / Respuesta Coclear Eléctrica como Medida Objetiva del Umbral Auditivo y la Evaluación del Rendimiento Auditivo en Usuarios Pediátricos de Implante Coclear

ABSTRACT The difficulties of applying the audiometry in pediatric populations and its methodological limitations in implanted patients have spurred the development of new alternative auditory evaluation methods. This study aimed to show an objective method to estimate hearing thresholds in pediatric cochlear implanted patients through Electrical Cochlear Response (ECR) and to quantify the hearing performance by using an Auditory Skills Questionnaire (ASQ) and a Calibrated Sounds Test (CST) designed on purpose. Eighteen implanted patients, 1-6 years old underwent standard audiometry, ECR, and ASQ in two evaluation sessions T1 and T2. At T2, in addition, patients underwent CST. For patients ≤3 years old (G1), Pure Tone Averages (PTA and PTAECR)showed a statistically significant difference between them at T1 and T2. At T2 improvements in audiometric and ECR thresholds were observed (p<0.05), regarding T1. Patients older than 3 years (G2) had significantly better ASQ and CST scores. CST detection scores at 40 dBHL for groups G1 and G2, 36% and 70% respectively, showed a better relationship to ECR thresholds. The relationship observed between ECR thresholds and CST detection scores seems to confirm that ECR brings the feasibility of objective hearing threshold estimation and provides a better frequency resolution than audiometry.

RESUMEN Las dificultades para la aplicación de la audiometría en la población pediátrica además de sus limitaciones metodológicas en pacientes usuarios de implante coclear, señalan la necesidad de métodos audiométricos alternos. En el presente trabajo se utiliza el potencial eléctrico, denominado Respuesta Coclear Eléctrica (ECR) observado solamente en usuarios de implante coclear, para la estimación de umbrales auditivos prescindiendo de la participación consiente del paciente, además de evaluar el desempeño auditivo mediante un Cuestionario de Habilidades Auditivas (ASQ) y la Prueba de Sonidos Calibrados (CST). A dieciocho participantes de 1 a 6 años, se les practicó Audiometría, ECR y ASQ en dos sesiones, T1 y T2; adicionalmente, en T2 se aplicó CST. En T1 y T2 los promedios de tonos puros, PTA y PTAECR, de pacientes ≤ 3 años (G1), mostraron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre ellos. En T2 los umbrales audiométricos y ECR (p <0.05), mejoraron respecto de T1. Pacientes > 3 años (G2) lograron puntuaciones ASQ y CST significativamente mejores. Los puntajes de detección CST a 40 dBHL, G1(36%) y G2(70%), mostraron mejor relación con los umbrales ECR. Esta relación entre los umbrales ECR y los puntajes de detección CST indican que la ECR permite estimar el umbral de audición, logrando adicionalmente mayor resolución en frecuencia que la audiometría.

Germination of Crotalaria and Lupinus (Fabaceae) seeds submitted to different pre-germination treatments and their effect on enzymatic activity during early germination / Germinação de sementes de Crotalaria e Lupinus (Fabaceae) submetidas a diferentes tratamentos pré-germinativos e o efeito da atividade enzimática na fase inicial da germinação

Abstract Most of the wild and native legume seeds has a hard and impermeable testa, which causes physical dormancy and prevents them from germinating even when environmental conditions are favorable. The study evaluated the effect of scarification treatments on germination and enzymatic activity of Crotalaria longirostrata (Cl) and Lupinus exaltatus (Le) seeds. After scarification treatments, germination percentage (GP) and rate (GR) were assessed during 30 days after seeding (DAS); and water absorption (WA) and specific enzymatic activity (SEA) during early germination (0, 6, 18, 36, 72, 120 h) in a growing chamber at 25 °C and photoperiod of 12 h. Scarification with 98% H2SO4 15 min increased GP and GR in both species. At 30 DAS, GP and GR of Le seeds were 34% and 0.97 seeds day-1, respectively. In Cl seeds, GP was 64% and GR 0.90 seeds day-1. Scarification with H2O at 80 °C 1 min also promoted germination in Cl (52%). At 120 h after seeding, Le and Cl seeds showed already a high GP with acid scarification (31% and 48%, respectively). In seeds of both species, scarification treatments affected WA and SEA during early germination. During this period, scarification treatments that increased GP also showed a higher α-D-galactosidase activity. The maximum enzyme activity was observed 72 h after hot water scarification in Cl (82.6 U/mg total protein), followed by acid scarification (54.5 U/mg total protein). In Le, the activity peak was 36 h after acid scarification (9.5 U/mg total protein). No relationship was observed between β-glucosidase activity and GP in both species. In conclusion, during early germination of both species, the increase in GP is accompanied by a rise in α-D-galactosidase activity between 36 and 72 h after seeding; and in Cl seeds, an alternative scarification treatment to increase GP may be the use of hot water.

Resumo A maioria das sementes de leguminosas nativas e selvagens têm um tegumento rígido e impermeável, ​​o que causa dormência física e impede a germinação, mesmo se as condições ambientais forem favoráveis. O estudo avaliou o efeito de tratamentos de escarificação sobre a germinação e a atividade enzimática de sementes de Crotalaria longirostrata (Cl) e Lupinus exaltatus (Le). Após os tratamentos de escarificação, a percentagem (PG) e a velocidade de germinação (VG) foram avaliadas durante 30 dias após a semeadura (DAS); absorção de água (AA) e atividade enzimática específica (AEE) na fase inicial da germinação (0, 6, 18, 36, 72 e 120 h) em uma câmara de crescimento a 25 °C e fotoperíodo de 12 h. A escarificação com 98% de H2SO4, durante 15 min aumentou PG e VG nas duas espécies. Aos 30 DDS, PG e VG de sementes de Le foram de 34% e 0,97 sementes dia -1, respectivamente. Em sementes de Cl, PG foi de 64% e VG 0,90 sementes dias-1. A escarificação com H2O a 80 °C 1 min também promoveu a germinação em Cl (52%). A 120 h após a semeadura, as sementes de Cl e Le já tinha atingido uma alta PG com escarificação ácida (31% e 48%, respectivamente). Nas sementes das duas espécies, os tratamentos de escarificação afetaram a AEE e a AA nafase inicial da germinação. Durante este período, os tratamentos de escarificação que aumentaram PG, também mostraram a atividade mais elevada de α-D-galactosidase. A atividade enzimática máxima foi observada 72 h após o tratamento com água quente em Cl (82,6 U/mg de proteína total), seguido por escarificação ácida (54,5 U/mg de proteína total). Em Le, o pico de atividade foi de 36 h após a aplicação do tratamento ácido (9,5 U/mg de proteína total). Em contraste, não foi observado nenhuma relação entre a actividade β-glicosidase e PG. Em conclusão, durante a germinação precoce das duas espécies, o aumento da GP é acompanhado por um aumento da atividade da α-D-galactosidase entre 36 e 72 h após a semeadura; e em sementes de Cl, um tratamento de escarificação alternativo para aumentar GP pode ser o uso de água quente.

Recuperação anestésica e analgesia residual da infusão continua intravenosa de fantanil, lidocaína, cetamina e fentanyl-lidocaína-cetamina associados à anesthesia total intravenosa com Propofol em cadelas submetidas à ovariossalpingo-histerectomia eletiva / Anesthetic recovery and residual analgesia of constant rate infusion intraoperative of fentanyl, lidocaine, ketamine or fentanyl-lidocaine-ketamine associated with total intravenous anesthesia with propofol in bitches submitted to elective ovariohysterectomy

Avaliou-se a recuperação anestésica e a analgesia residual da infusão contínua (IC) de fentanil (F), lidocaína (L), cetamina (K) e fentanil-lidocaína-cetamina (FLK), associados à anestesia total intravenosa com o propofol, em cadelas submetidas à ovariossalpingo-histerectomia. Foram utilizados 32 animais pré-medicados com acepromazina, distribuídos em quatro grupos de acordo com o tratamento analgésico: F: bolus de 0,0036mg/kg de fentanil e IC de 0,0036mg mg/kg/h; L: bolus de 3mg/kg de lidocaína e IC de 3mg/kg/h; K: bolus de 0,6mg/kg de cetamina e IC de 0,6mg/kg/h; e FLK: bolus e IC dos três fármacos nas doses supracitadas. Após o bolus do tratamento analgésico, foi realizada a indução e o início da IC do tratamento analgésico e do propofol. Para avaliação da recuperação anestésica, foram considerados os tempos de extubação, decúbito esternal, posição quadrupedal e os efeitos adversos. A avaliação da analgesia foi realizada por meio da escala visual analógica e modificada de Glasgow, durante seis horas. Os efeitos adversos observados foram vômito, sialorreia e tremor muscular. Receberam analgesia de resgate 100% dos animais do grupo F, 87,5% do K, 50% do L e 12,5% do FLK. O FLK demonstrou maior analgesia, e a recuperação anestésica foi semelhante em todos os grupos.(AU)

The anesthetic recovery and residual analgesia of continuous rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl (F), lidocaine (L), ketamine (K) and fentanyl-lidocaine-ketamine (FLK) associated with total intravenous anesthesia with propofol in bitches submitted to ovariohysterectomy were evaluated. 32 animals were used, pre-medicated with acepromazine and distributed into four groups according to analgesic treatment: F loading dose (LD) of 0.0036mg/kg fentanyl, and CRI of 0.0036mg/kg/h, L: LD of 3mg/kg lidocaine, and CRI of 3mg/kg/h; K: LD of 0.6mg/kg ketamine, and CRI of 0.6mg/kg/h and FLK: LD and CRI of the three drugs in the above mentioned doses. After the LD of analgesic treatment, the induction was performed and the CRI of the analgesic treatment and propofol started. To evaluate the anesthetic recovery, the time of extubation, sternal decubitus, quadrupedal position and adverse effects were considered. The analgesia evaluation was performed using the visual scale and modified Glasgow for six hours. The adverse effects observed were vomiting, sialorrhea and muscle tremor. 100% of the animals in group F, 87.5% of K, 50% of L and 12.5% of FLK received rescue analgesia. FLK demonstrated greater analgesia, and anesthesia recovery was similar in all groups.(AU)

Otitis media en el perro: diagnóstico, tratamiento quirúrgico y posibles complicaciones. Revisión / Otitis media in dogs: diagnosis and surgical treatment, and possible complications. Review

RESUMEN El propósito de este artículo es discutir los aspectos relativos al tratamiento y diagnóstico de la otitis media en el perro, haciendo énfasis en las complicaciones más frecuentes observadas luego de una ablación total del canal auditivo con osteotomía de la bulla timpánica, procedimiento que en la actualidad se considera el tratamiento de elección. Además, se expone el ámbito clínico en el cual se indica esta intervención considerando otras condiciones diferentes de la otitis media. Se contrasta de manera crítica la experiencia de los autores con la literatura publicada referente a este tema en algunos aspectos que conciernen a la técnica quirúrgica y el diagnóstico.

SUMARY The purpose of this article is to discuss the aspects related to the treatment and diagnosis of otitis media in dogs, emphasizing the most frequent complications observed after a total ablation of the auditory canal with osteotomy of the tympanic bulla, a procedure that is currently considered the treatment of choice. Additionally, the clinical setting in which this intervention is indicated is exposed, considering other conditions other than otitis media. The experience of the authors with the published literature regarding this topic is critically contrasted in some aspects that concern the surgical technique and the diagnosis.