Increasing shade area in feedlot heifers during heat stress: physiological and performance parameters.

Heat stress is a great challenge for feedlot operations established in arid zones. The aim of this study was to evaluate if increasing shade area in the pen improved physiological and productive variables in feedlot heifers under hot climate. A total of 510 European and Zebu heifers were randomly assigned to six pens which were divided in two treatments: (1) three pens with 100 heifers each with a shade area of 2.7 m2/head (control group [C]); and (2) three pens with 70 heifers each with a shade area of 3.7 m2/head (treated group [T]). Physiological variables respiratory frequency (RF) and body surface temperature (BST) of several anatomic regions were taken from 30 heifers per treatment (i.e., 10 heifers/pen). Feed intake on pen basis was recorded weekly and heifers were individually weighted on days 1, 26, and 66 of the study to calculate performance variables. Relative humidity (RH) and ambient temperature (AT) were recorded and used to estimate the temperature-humidity index (THI). Data was analyzed with analysis of variance. The average THI during the study was 81.7 units, which was categorized as dangerous heat stress. In both shaded areas, European heifers showed higher (P < 0.05) RF than Zebu heifers. In the afternoon, the temperature of head, neck, loin, paddle, and belly was higher (P < 0.05) in C compared with T. Heifers under T showed better (P < 0.05) daily weight gain (DWG), total weight gain (TWG), feed conversion (FC), and feed efficiency (FE) than heifers in C, with no effect on dry matter intake (DMI). Results indicate that during hot summer months, Zebu showed more tolerance to heat stress than European heifers; however, heifers under a shade area of 3.7 m2/head had better productive performance than those under a shade area of 2.7 m2/head during the finishing phase of the feedlot. Increasing the shade area in the finishing phase of beef cattle on feedlot improved some physiological and productive responses during heat stress.

Dynamics of allograft fibrosis in pediatric liver transplantation.

Progressive liver allograft fibrosis (LAF) is well known to occur long term, as shown by its high prevalence in late posttransplant liver biopsies (LBs). To evaluate the influence of clinical variables and immunosuppression on LAF progression, LAF dynamic was assessed in 54 pediatric liver transplantation (LT) recipients at 6 months, 3 and 7 years post-LT, reviewing clinical, biochemical data and protocol LBs using METAVIR and the liver allograft fibrosis score, previously designed and validated specifically for LAF assessment. Scoring evaluations were correlated with fibrosis quantification by morphometric analysis. Progressive LAF was found in 74% of long-term patients, 70% of whom had unaltered liver enzymes. Deceased grafts showed more fibrosis than living-related grafts (p = 0.0001). Portal fibrosis was observed in correlation with prolonged ischemia time, deceased grafts and lymphoproliferative disease (p = 0.001, 0.006 and 0.012, respectively). Sinusoidal fibrosis was correlated with biliary complications (p = 0.01). Centrilobular fibrosis was associated with vascular complications (p = 0.044), positive autoantibodies (p = 0.017) and high gamma-globulins levels (p = 0.028). Steroid therapy was not associated with reduced fibrosis (p = 0.83). LAF could be viewed as a dynamic process with mostly progression along the time. Peri- and post-LT-associated factors may condition fibrosis development in a specific area of the liver parenchyma.

Novel histologic scoring system for long-term allograft fibrosis after liver transplantation in children.

The existing systems for scoring fibrosis were not developed to evaluate transplanted livers. Our aim was to design and validate a novel fibrosis scoring system specifically adapted to assess liver allograft fibrosis (LAF). Clinical data, histology, transient elastography (TE) and AST/platelet ratio index (APRI) were reviewed in 38 pediatric liver transplant (LT) recipients. Protocol liver biopsies performed at 6 months and 7 years post-LT were reviewed by three pathologists who assessed LAF using the METAVIR and Ishak systems. LAF was also scored separately in portal (0-3), sinusoidal (0-3) and centrolobular areas (0-3). Scoring evaluations were correlated with fibrosis quantification using morphometry, and also with TE and APRI. Statistical correlations between morphometry and METAVIR were 0.571 (p < 0.000) and 0.566 (p < 0.000) for the Ishak system. The novel score (0-9) for separate assessment of portal, sinusoidal and centrolobular fibrosis showed a better correlation with morphometry (0.731; p < 0.000) and high intra-/interobserver agreement (0.966; p < 0.000 and 0.794; p < 0.000, respectively). No correlation was found between TE or APRI and morphometry or the three histologic scores. In conclusion, this novel semiquantitative fibrosis scoring system seems to more accurately reflect LAF than the existing scoring system and may become a practical tool for staging fibrosis in LT.

Effects of ionizing radiation and temperature on uranyl silicates: soddyite (UO2)2(SiO4)(H2O)2 and Uranophane Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·5H2O.

The stability of soddyite under electron irradiation has been studied over the temperature range of 25-300 °C. At room temperature, soddyite undergoes a crystalline-to-amorphous transformation (amorphization) at a total dose of 6.38 × 10(8) Gy. The electron beam irradiation results suggest that the soddyite structure is susceptible to radiation-induced nanocrystallization of UO(2). The temperature dependence of amorphization dose increases linearly up to 300 °C. A thermogravimetric and calorimetric analysis (TGA-DSC) combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that soddyite retains its water groups up to 400 °C, followed by the collapse of the structure. Based on thermal analysis of uranophane, the removal of some water groups at relatively low temperatures provokes the collapse of the uranophane structure. This structural change appears to be the reason for the increase of amorphization dose at 140 °C. According to the results obtained, radiation field of a nuclear waste repository, rather than temperature effects, may cause changes in the crystallinity of soddyite and affect its stability during long-term storage.

[Long-term outcomes of lumbar microdiscectomy in a working class sample]. / Resultados a largo plazo de la microdiscectomía lumbar en una población labo- ralmente activa.

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of the lumbar disc herniaton (LDH) microdiscectomy constitutes one of the standard procedures. In the present study we have analyzed the clinical outcome of the lumbar microdis- cectomy in a series of worker patients who underwent surgery in our service. METHODS: Retrospective analysis and a 5-year follow up, of a series of 142 patients operated on by means of lumbar microdiscectomy in the 2004-2005 period. The clinical outcome was analyzed according to the "Herron and Turner" outline: pain reduction, use of medical treatment, restriction in the ability to perform physical activities, and return to work. RESULTS: 116 men and 26 women, with an average age of 37.9 and 45.4 years respectively, underwent surgery because of LDH. In the clinical aspect, sciatica was predominant over low back pain in a ratio of three to one. The L5-S1 discal level was operated on in 68.3% of the cases. It was considered that occupational activities gave rise to damage in 107 patients (75.3%). Besides a symptomatic disc, there was an additional injured disc in 44.3% of the cases. An initial unfavourable outcome was seen in 42 patients (33%), 15 of which recovered from in an interval of 3 months, and another fifteen within a one year period. A re-operation was necessa ry in 16 patients because of recurrent lumbar disc herniation (11%). Work reintegration was achieved in 83.3% (119/142) of the cases. After a 5-year follow up, we stated the consistency of the clinical result. DISCUSSION: We analyzed the intervertebral disc behaviour as regards sex, age, variety of discal herniation, additional disc, outcome and re-operation variables. After the analysis of the type of discal herniation and additional disc we defined three disc injury patterns. We consider microdiscectomy as the technique of choosing for the treatment of recurrence disc herniation. CONCLUSIONS: Between the working class, discal injury predominates in young men, as a consequence of the annulus breakage, or an annulus plus posterior longitudinal ligament breakage (traumatic herniae). Frequently it was observed that more than one disc was involved, and a left lateralization.

[Cespace. Cervical interbody fusion system. Preliminary retrospective study in 104 cases (120 implants)]. / Técnicas de reconstrucción nerviosa en cirugía del plexo braquial traumatizado. Parte 2: Transferencias nerviosas intraplexuales.

Cespace is a cervical implant designed to obtain intervertebral fusion without bone grafting. The implant is built in titanium and coated with plasmapore (a sort of pure titanium powder). Bone growing through titanium microstructure is induced by the plasmapore, and fusion is progressively obtained once this boneinduction is completed. From January 2002 to December 2008 we operated upon 104 patients employing this implant at one or two cervical spine levels. The more frequent condition was radiculopathy caused by disc herniation or spondilosis (N= 85; 81.7%), followed by mielopathy (N=13; 12.5%). Six cases (5.7%) corresponded to cervical fractures or dislocations. In these latter ones Cespace was implanted as a method of spinal stabilization combined with Caspar plates, avoiding bone grafting. The total number of Cespace implants placed was 120. Clinical results were good in 85.5% of patients. Primary stability was obtained in all cases. Secondary stability (fusion) was evident after 1 to 2 years in all cases, confirming the bone-induction capability of plasmapore without bone grafting. No specific implant complications (pseudoartroses, settling, instability, etc) were registered. We conclude that radical microdiscectomy and Cespace box implant constitutes a good procedure for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy or mielopathy caused by disc herniation or spondylosis, avoiding bone grafting and providing high rates of vertebral fusion. In some cervical fractures associated to instability, Cespace can be used as a reliable substitute of intervertebral bone grafting in combination with anterior plate fixation.

[Ganglioneuroma coinciding with a lumbar disk herniation]. / Ganglioneuroma coincidente con una extrusión discal lumbar.

INTRODUCTION. Ganglioneuromas or gangliomas are tumours of the sympathetic ganglia that contain cells of the neural crest, so they can appear in all body localizations. They are generally benign, more frequent between 10 and 40 years, may secrete hormones and, sometimes, Neurofibromatosis type I and other genetic disorders can be associated. OBJECTIVE. To review the scientific literature related to the topic and to present a case treated in our service. DISCUSSION. The symptoms depend on location and vasoactive secreted hormones. In spite of that, they are generally benign tumours, although sometimes they can spread out. Since laboratory and image test are of limited usefulness, the conclusive diagnosis is anatomopathologic. In symptomatic patients the best procedure is surgical removing. CONCLUSION. Ganglioneuroma and disk herniation association constitute an exceptional disorder. Its treatment implies surgery resection.

[Biological cement extravasation into the spinal canal following kyphoplasty. Long-term follow-up. Report of one case and review of the literature]. / Fuga intrarraquídea de cemento biológico tras cifoplastia. Evolución a largo plazo.Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive percutaneous techniques indicated in the treatment of some somatic vertebral fractures. Both are based on the introduction of a substance, called cement, inside the vertebral body. We can choose acrylic or biological cement. These techniques are not risk-free, cement extravasation being the main complication. Due to the short experience in the use of the biological cements, nowadays there are a lot of unresolved doubts about the long-term behaviour of these materials, especially in the case of leakage. PURPOSE: We report a case of biologic cement extravasation into the spinal canal during a kyphoplasty in a 23 year old man and its long-term follow-up (3 years), performing a review of the scientific literature related to the topic. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the papers in the literature discuss the behaviour of the reinforcement material inside a bony environment, but they do not refer to the evolution of the cement outside the vertebral space. We have appreciated in our case that the leaked cement is not being substituted for bone but it suffers a process of progressive resorption. The extravasation of the vertebral reinforcement material is an important and potentially serious complication of the vertebral augmentation techniques. To avoid this, a very precise chirurgical technique is necessary, under radiological guidance. Biocompatibility, biodegradability and osteoconductivity are the main advantages of biological cements. We base the choice of the cement on the balloon/trabeculae interaction.

[Spontaneous regression from intervertebral disc herniation. Propos of a series of 37 cases]. / Regresión espontánea de hernias discales intervertebrales. A propósito de una serie de 37 casos.

INTRODUCTION: The intervertebral disc disease (IDD) is one of the most common muscle-skeletal disorders, causing both high work disability and elevated healthcare costs. There are two specific origins of disk disease that should be kept in mind: degenerative (DDD) and traumatic (TDD). Concerning the TDD, nowadays it has not been determined which patients could gradually improve and which ones will require surgery. Some studies indicate that about 85% of lumbar and 90% cervical acute disc herniation will get better in an average of 6 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, prospective study, over a group of 858 patients, with the following inclusion criteria: 1. MRI imaging indicating TDD, 2. No signs or symptoms requiring urgent surgical treatment (cauda equina syndrome, progressive or serious motor deficit or unbearable pain) and 3. Development of progressively spontaneous symptoms remission. All of the patients included in our study were treated in our Department of Neurosurgery from 2006 to 2007. Patients were tested for disc herniation regression with a second MRI study. RESULTS: A spontaneous regression of their hernia was appreciated as follow: 33 cases of lumbar hernia (29 male, 4 female), 3 cervical hernia (1 male, 2 female) and 1 dorsal hernia (male). DISCUSSION: Research about other reported series was done, and the different factors that could take place in disc spontaneous regression were analyzed: a) lodgement of the herniated disc back into the intervertebral space; b) disappearance of the herniated fragment due to dehydration and retraction mechanisms; c) gradual resorption of the herniated tissue by phagocytosis and enzymatic degradation induced by an inflammatory reaction that appeared as the disc (acting the extrusion itself as an foreign body) and, d) pulsion of cephaloarchidian liquid against the herniated portion. CONCLUSIONS: Disc herniation can regress, or even disappear, in a number of patients, rendering the radiological findings not to be taken as the only surgical indication criterium. We consider that the best treatment is the one relying on a good doctor-patient relationship, suspended in a balance between conservative and surgical treatment. According to clinical data, the first one (conservative) should not exceed the estimated time beyond which the surgical result would be unsatisfactory. The second one (operative), excepting "need-to operate" situations (such as cauda equina compression, progressive or serious motor déficit, or unbearable pain), should be prudently supedited to MRI regresión control, in particular in patients in which a clinical improvement is observed. Thus, the disc herniation conservative healing, both clinical as radiological, do exist, being a concept to widespread among clinicians and patients also.

SURVEILLANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOSE RATE WITH THE COVARIANCE MATRIX.

The objective of this study is the operational verification of an environmental dose rate monitoring network composed by several sensors. The verification of the study has been tested on the CIEMAT's Radiological Network, establishing a records quality assurance of the detectors using the covariance matrix and the eigenvalues. The technique has revealed an underlying records malfunction, which have not been appreciated by applying conventional surveillance. In this sense, the malfunction has economic and security consequences, which can be minimized with an alternative methodology, which guarantees the radiological protection of a local area according to the Regulatory Agency.

[Vertebral reinforcement by means of kyphoplasty in the treatment of non-osteoporotic thoraco-lumbar fractures. Study of 40 cases and review of the literature]. / Papel del refuerzo vertebral mediante cifoplastia en el tratamiento de las fracturas dorsolumbares de índole no osteoporótico. Revisión del tema y análisis de 40 casos.

OBJECT: We present a series of patients with acute thoraco-lumbar fractures in whom we performed balloon vertebroplasty (kyphoplasty), either alone (percutaneous) or combined to posterior transpedicular fusion (open kyphoplasty). We emphasize the possibility of extending the use of kyphoplasty to non-osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and combining this method with traditional posterior fusion procedures. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2005, 138 patients suffering from thoraco-lumbar acute fractures, were treated in our Department. 87 corresponded to one vertebral level fractures; 34 to two levels, and the remaining 17 patients had more than two vertebrae affected. 65 patients (47%) received conservative therapy (rest in bed, physiotherapy, and subsequent progressive mobilization with cast). The remaining ones (73 cases; 43%) were treated invasively, performing balloon vertebroplasty alone (n=25), or kyphoplasty associated to posterior fusion in 15 cases (11%). Different kinds of screw posterior fusions were performed in the remaining patients (n=33; 24%). The latter group was not included in the present study. In the conservatively treated group (CTG), seven patients (11%) had a bad outcome, showing a persistency of hyperintensity in MRI-T2 sequences of the vertebral body, suggesting local edema. Mean hospitalization rate was 29 days in CTG. None of the 40 patients treated with kyphoplasty alone or combined with fusion showed abnormalities in neurological examination. They were classified in two groups: "Group a": Kyphoplasty alone (n=25). Mean of sagittal index in this group was 11 degrees (range: 6 degrees -15 degrees). In 9 patients, vertebral body collapse exceeded 25%. Mean hospitalization rate was 14 days. "Group b": Kyphoplasty and posterior fusion techniques (n=15): Mean sagittal index was 23 degrees (range: 13 degrees - 40 degrees). All the patients presented with a vertebral body collapse superior to 25%. All of them had posterior body wall involvement. This group was treated by surgery (decompression and fusion) and open vertebral body kyphoplasty. Mean hospitalization rate was 35 days. Clinical results of these 40 patients were measured by means of work status, restriction of physical activities and analgesic drug intake. Except for four patients of "Group b", 36 returned to their work. In 11 cases a slight reduction of physical activity was registered. Average "Group a" follow-up was 47 months (range: 10-72 months). A mean kyphosis correction of 5,3 degrees (sagittal index) was reached in this group. Average "Group b" follow-up was 26 months (range: 9-54). Mean kyphosis correction was 10,3 degrees . As for complications, we registered three balloon disruptions and five leakages into the disc. CONCLUSIONS: Kyphoplasty could constitute an alternative and/or complementary treatment of traditional spinal stabilization-fusion procedures in non osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Therefore, it should be offered, when indicated, as a substantial possible part of the treatment, to the patients suffering from vertebral fractures. Additional advantages of combining kyphoplasty and posterior fusion are the possibility of reducing the number of fused levels (shorter instrumentations), and to perform a 360 degree stabilization-remodeling through a single posterior approach.

USING THE HERMITE POLYNOMIALS IN RADIOLOGICAL MONITORING NETWORKS.

The most interesting events in Radiological Monitoring Network correspond to higher values of H*(10). The higher doses cause skewness in the probability density function (PDF) of the records, which there are not Gaussian anymore. Within this work the probability of having a dose >2 standard deviations is proposed as surveillance of higher doses. Such probability is estimated by using the Hermite polynomials for reconstructing the PDF. The result is that the probability is ~6 ± 1%, much >2.5% corresponding to Gaussian PDFs, which may be of interest in the design of alarm level for higher doses.

ADVANCED SURVEILLANCE OF ENVIROMENTAL RADIATION IN AUTOMATIC NETWORKS.

The objective of this study is the verification of the operation of a radiation monitoring network conformed by several sensors. The malfunction of a surveillance network has security and economic consequences, which derive from its maintenance and could be avoided with an early detection. The proposed method is based on a kind of multivariate distance, and the verification for the methodology has been tested at CIEMAT's local radiological early warning network.

Refractory Pseudomonas Bacteremia in a 2-Year-Old Sterilized by Bacteriophage Therapy.

Here, we report a complex case that involved a pediatric patient who experienced recalcitrant multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection complicated by bacteremia/sepsis; our antibacterial options were limited because of resistance, allergies, and suboptimal source control. A cocktail of 2 bacteriophages targeting the infectious organism introduced on 2 separate occasions sterilized the bacteremia.

Effect of ultrasound pre-treatment on the physicochemical composition of Agave durangensis leaves and potential enzyme production.

Approximately 1 million tons of agave plants are processed annually by the Mexican tequila and mezcal industry, generating vast amounts of agroindustrial solid waste. This type of lignocellulosic biomass is considered to be agroindustrial residue, which can be used to produce enzymes, giving it added value. However, the structure of lignocellulosic biomass makes it highly recalcitrant, and results in relatively low yield when used in its native form. The aim of this study was to investigate an effective pre-treatment method for the production of commercially important hydrolytic enzymes. In this work, the physical and chemical modification of Agave durangensis leaves was analysed using ultrasound and high temperature as pre-treatments, and production of enzymes was evaluated. The pre-treatments resulted in modification of the lignocellulosic structure and composition; the ultrasound pre-treatment improved the production of inulinase by 4 U/mg and cellulase by 0.297 U/mg, and thermal pre-treatment improved ß-fructofuranosidase by 30 U/mg.

[Prevalence of restless legs syndrome at the office in primary health care]. / Prevalencia del síndrome de piernas inquietas en las consultas de atención primaria.

INTRODUCTION: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a usual neurologic disorder, often undiagnosed and treatable, usually associated with sleep disturbance. Our goal was to study prevalence of RLS in our practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, in a Primary care center. 283 patients 50 years old or older, which come to the office for any reason, were evaluated with a questionnaire about the four essential criteria stated by the international RLS study group in 1995. RESULTS: Prevalence of RLS was 11.6% (95% CI: 7.9-15.3%). 73.5% were women and 26.5% men (ratio 3:1). Only 15% reported major repercussion in their quality of life, them we estimated that RLS clinically significant is present in 1.9% of our patients. By means of logistic regression only high number of consults at the office, daily sleepiness and use of hypnotics were associated to RLS. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of RLS in more than 50 years old patients is high: 11.6% but 1.9% of medically significant RLS. Must be suspected specially in women, frequent consultants or with sleep disorders in treatment with hypnotics.

The Influence of Radon (Gas and Progeny) and Weather Conditions on Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate.

The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of radon (gas and progeny) on the ambient dose equivalent rate measured at the reference station ESMERALDA, where continuous measurements of the ambient dose equivalent rate (every 10 min) combined with activity concentration measurements of radon gas and radon progeny as well as meteorological parameters have been collected. This study has been performed using a correlation study based on a principal components analysis and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Oak kombucha protects against oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.

Black tea infusion is the common substrate for preparing kombucha; however other sources such as oak leaves infusions can be used for the same purpose. Almost any white oak species have been used for medicinal applications by some ethnic groups in Mexico and could be also suitable for preparing kombucha analogues from oak (KAO). The objective of this research was to investigate the antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of KAO by examining its modulation ability on macrophage-derived TNF-alpha and IL-6. Herbal infusions from oak and black tea were fermented by kombucha consortium during seven days at 28 °C. Chemical composition was determined by LC-ESI-MS/MS. The antioxidant activity of samples against oxidative damage caused by H2O2 in monocytes activated (macrophages) was explored. Additionally, it was determined the anti-inflammatory activity using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated macrophages; in particular, the nitric oxide (NO), TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production was assessed. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly reduced by the sample treatment. Likewise, NO production was lower in treatment with kombucha and KAO compared with LPS-stimulated macrophages. Fermented beverages of oak effectively down-regulated the production of NO, while pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in macrophages were stimulated with LPS. Additionally, phytochemical compounds present in KAO decrease oxidative stress.