Exploring Breed-Specific Milk Coagulation in Spanish Dairy Sheep: A Canonical Correlation Approach.

The transformation of milk into cheese largely depends on the technological properties of the raw material, with breed being a crucial factor that influences both the composition and coagulation properties of the milk used for cheesemaking. This study uses canonical correlation analysis to explore the relationships between physicochemical traits and coagulation properties in milk from various Spanish breeds, aiming to identify both common and breed-specific patterns that impact milk technological aptitude. A total of 832 milk samples from Manchega, Assaf, Merino de Grazalema, and Merino de Los Pedroches breeds were analyzed. The milk characteristics investigated included pH, composition (fat, protein, lactose, total solids), and coagulation properties (curd firmness-A60, rennet clotting time-RCT, curd firming time-k20, and individual laboratory curd yield-ILCY). The results reveal a shared correlation structure across breeds and unique covariation patterns in some breeds that deviate from the general trend. While Assaf and Merino de Los Pedroches follow the common correlation pattern, Manchega and Merino de Grazalema exhibit distinct patterns. This research underscores the need for in-depth study and suggests that the dairy industry could benefit from shifting from the traditional focus on maximizing fat and protein for higher curd yields to considering technological traits for selective breeding.

Associations between Milk Coagulation Properties and Microbiological Quality in Sheep Bulk Tank Milk.

This study conducted a seasonal analysis of bulk tank milk from 77 sheep farms to establish relationships between the concentration of major microbial groups and milk coagulation properties. The investigated milk traits included composition (pH, fat, casein, lactose), coagulation properties (curd firmness: A60-, rennet clotting time: RCT-, curd firming time: k20-, curd yield: CY-), and somatic cell score (SCS). The main microbial groups analyzed were total mesophilic bacteria (SPC), thermodurics (THERMO), psychrotrophs (PSYCHRO), Pseudomonas spp. (PSEUDO), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), catalase-negative gram-positive cocci (GPCNC), Escherichia coli (ECOLI), coliforms other than Escherichia coli (COLI), coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), and spores of lactate-fermenting Clostridium (BAB). Mixed linear models were used to explore associations between coagulation properties and the aforementioned variables. Results demonstrated that incorporating microbial loads into the models improves their fit and the relative quality of the outcomes. An important seasonality is demonstrated by an increase in CY and A60, along with a decrease in RCT and k20 during autumn and winter, contrasting with spring and summer. BAB concentration resulted in a reduction of A60 and an increase in RCT, whereas SPC concentration led to an enhancement of A60 and a reduction in RCT. An increase in GPCNC concentration was associated with an increase in k20 and a decrease in CY.

Exploring Interrelationships between Colour, Composition, and Coagulation Traits of Milk from Cows, Goats, and Sheep.

This study explores the interrelationships between the composition, coagulation, and colour of sheep, goat, and cow milk to identify their similarities and differences and to assess whether the relationships between the variables are common to all species or whether they emerge from species-specific relationships. For this purpose, 2400 individual milk samples were analysed. The differences and similarities between the species were determined using discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. The results show a clear differentiation between species. Sheep milk stands out for its cheesemaking capacity and shows similarities with goat milk in composition and coagulation. Nonetheless, colorimetry highlights a greater similarity between sheep and cow milk. Composition and colorimetry were more discriminating than coagulation, and the variables that differed the most were fat, protein, curd yield, lightness, and red-green balance. Using canonical correlation, the interrelationships between the different sets of variables were explored, revealing patterns of common variation and species-specific relationships. Colorimetric variables were closely related to milk solids in all species, while in sheep milk, an inverse relationship with lactose was also identified. Furthermore, a strong relationship was revealed for all species between colour and curd yield. This could be modelled and applied to estimate the technological value of milk, proving colorimetry as a useful tool for the dairy industry.

Prácticas de cuidado y promoción de salud mental en una cooperativa de trabajo de la cárcel de máxima seguridad de Batán, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. El caso de la Cooperativa Liberté

En el presente trabajo se analizarán los resultados parciales de una investigación en curso "Proceso de construcción de una cooperativa en la cárcel de máxima seguridad de Batán: contexto, actores, facilitadores y obstáculos. El caso de la Cooperativa Liberté" en el marco de la Especialización en Gestión de la Economía Social y Solidaria de la Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. La experiencia de la Cooperativa Liberté permite dar cuenta de la relación existente entre el cooperativismo y la promoción de salud/salud mental. Identificaremos a lo largo del trabajo, el modo en que las asociaciones solidarias - mediante la construcción de ciudadanía e identidades con sentido de comunidad -, posibilitan escenarios creativos para el cuestionamiento de contextos opresores y la construcción de posibilidades de acciones colectivas, aspectos centrales para la promoción de la salud mental. Metodológicamente se trabajó con análisis de documentos y registros, observación participante con triangulación de fuentes. Se realizó un análisis de fuentes secundarias (materiales escritos y audiovisuales elaborados por la propia cooperativa), observación participante y registros de diferentes actividades llevadas adelante por la cooperativa, y entrevistas a informantes claves.

No presente trabalho serão analisados os resultados parciais de uma pesquisa em andamento no âmbito da Especialização em Gestão da Economia Social e Solidária da Universidade Nacional de Quilmes. A experiência da Cooperativa Liberté permite compreender a relação entre o cooperativismo e a promoção da saúde/saúde mental. Ao longo do trabalho, identificaremos a forma como as associações solidárias - através da construção de cidadania e de identidades com sentido de comunidade - possibilitam cenários criativos para o questionamento de contextos opressivos e a construção de possibilidades de ações coletivas, aspectos centrais para a promoção de saúde mental. Metodologicamente, trabalhamos com análise de documentos e registros, observação participante com triangulação de fontes. Foi realizada análise de fontes secundárias (materiais escritos e audiovisuais elaborados pela própria cooperativa), observação participante e registros de diversas atividades realizadas pela cooperativa e entrevistas com informantes-chave.

This paper will analyze the partial results of an ongoing research within the framework of the Specialization in Management of the Social and Solidarity Economy of the National University of Quilmes. The experience of the Liberté Cooperative allows us to understand the relationship between cooperativism and health promotion/mental health. Throughout the articule, we will identify the way in which solidarity associations - through the construction of citizenship and identities with a sense of community - enable creative scenarios for the questioning of oppressive contexts and the construction of possibilities for collective actions, central aspects for mental health promotion. Methodologically, we worked with analysis of documents and records, participant observation with triangulation of sources. An analysis of secondary sources was carried out (written and audiovisual materials prepared by the cooperative itself), participant observation and records of different activities carried out by the cooperative, and interviews with key informants.

The impact of cell-based therapy on female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a complex issue affecting women of all ages; it involves several overlapping body systems and profoundly affects quality of life. The use of cell-based therapy, such as mesenchymal stem cells, has recently been investigated as a potential treatment for FSD. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess FSD outcomes following cell-based therapy. METHODS: We evaluated peer-reviewed articles from multiple online databases through November 2022 to identify studies that used cell-based therapy and reported sexual function outcomes in women. We performed a meta-analysis using data pooled from 3 clinical trials at our institution: CRATUS (NCT02065245), ACESO (NCT02886884), and CERES (NCT03059355). All 3 trials collected data from the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire as an exploratory outcome. RESULTS: Existing literature on this topic is scarce. Five clinical studies and 1 animal study were included in the systematic review, and only 2 clinical studies were considered good quality: 1 reported significant SQOL-F improvement in women 6 months after cell therapy, and 1 reported posttherapy sexual satisfaction in all women. When individual patient data were pooled in a meta-analysis from 29 women across 3 trials at our institution, the SQOL-F was not significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Despite growing interest in cell-based therapy for women's sexual health, this important issue is understudied in the literature. The optimal route, source, and dose of cell therapy to produce clinically meaningful change have yet to be determined, and further research is needed in larger randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Efficiency of Manchega Sheep Milk Intended for Cheesemaking and Determination of Factors Causing Inefficiency.

Understanding the factors that determine and regulate cheese yield would allow, through deterministic parametric efficiency models, the determination of the most appropriate milk characteristics for the industry, and the estimation of a technological value for these characteristics. The present study aims to evaluate coagulation performance of Manchega sheep milk intended for cheesemaking and explores two models to determine milk technological efficiency. For this purpose, 1200 Manchega sheep milk samples were collected, and analyses were performed for composition, milk coagulation properties (MCP), somatic cell count (SCC), and milk color values. A first model was built based on curd yield (CE) and a second one based on dry curd yield (DCE). GLM and MANCOVA analyses were used to identify the factors that determine curd yield efficiency, which mainly depended on pH, casein, and lactose content and, to a lesser extent, on the speed of coagulation and curd firmness. When comparing both models, differences were linked to the water retention capacity of the curd. Based on this, the DCE model was considered much more accurate for prediction of coagulation efficiency in a wider variety of cheeses, as it does not seem to be affected by moisture loss.

Efficacy of mindfulness to regulate induced emotions in the laboratory: A systematic review and meta-analysis of self-report and biobehavioral measures.

A substantial part of the research on the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on mood regulation is conducted in the laboratory. Nevertheless, a systematic review of the results is lacking. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of mindfulness as an emotion regulation (ER) strategy when using mood induction procedures. A systematic search of databases was conducted and a total of 43 studies were included in the meta-analysis. We found a small significant overall effect size of mindfulness [g= -0.15 (95% CI [-0.30, -0.01], p = 0.04)], which became non-significant after removing outliers (g=-0.15, p = 0.06). We also found high levels of heterogeneity which was not explained by the moderating variables analyzed. Thus, there is limited meta-analytic evidence of the efficacy of mindfulness strategies in down-regulating or preventing heightened or chronic effects of induced mood states in well-controlled laboratory settings. We propose that this could be partially due to some limitations in laboratory methodologies and suggest some guidelines to overcome them in future primary research.

Physicochemical, Microbiological and Technological Properties of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Milk during Lactation.

This study describes chemical, physical, microbiological and technological characteristics of red deer milk and the effect of lactation on these parameters in order to know their potential aptitude to elaborate dairy products. During 18 weeks, milk from five hinds was monitored for composition, bacteriology, somatic cell count (SCC), physical properties and rennet coagulation. Mean values (g/100 g) for fat, protein, lactose and dry matter were 10.4, 7.1, 4.3 and 24.2, respectively, and for urea, 265 mg/100 mL. Except for lactose, a significant increase in these components was observed (p < 0.01) as lactation progressed. The average values for bacteriology and SCC were 5.3 log cfu/mL and 4.7 log cells/mL, respectively. Regarding physical properties, conductivity (mean: 2.8 ms/cm), viscosity (3.1 Cp), coordinates L* (89.9) and a* (-3.1) and milk fat globule diameter (D4,3: 6.1 µm) increased along with lactation while density (1.038 g/mL) decreased (p < 0.01). The pH (6.7), acidity (22.9° Dornic), coordinate b* (8.4) and ethanol stability (66.6% v/v) were stable during the study period. The stage of lactation also has a significant impact on milk coagulation properties and mean curd yield was 3.29 g/10 mL. These results suggest that red deer milk could be a potential innovative source of milk for the dairy industry.

Influence of Environmental and Productive Factors on the Biodiversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Population from Sheep Milk.

Milk is a typical and satisfactory medium for the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These microorganisms are of vital importance in the quality of the milk since they contribute to its preservation and give differential organoleptic properties to the final product. Furthermore, LABs can act as biocontrol agents in the dairy industry by inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacteria present in milk and by improving the quality of dairy products such as cheese. In this context, knowing the transfer routes used by LABs from the livestock environment to the milk is of great importance within the dairy industry. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to expand the knowledge of the LAB population present in the milk of Manchego ewe by means of DNA sequencing techniques and to evaluate the possible transfers of LAB species based on the management of each dairy farm. Samples of bulk tank milk, air (from the milking parlour and from the livestock housing), animal feed and teat surface (taken from 10 sheep per farm) were collected in 12 traditional livestock farms in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), where each farm presented differences regarding their farming practices. A mixed-effects model was used to evaluate the effects of livestock practices on the distribution of LAB species. Results showed that the vast majority of species identified in the milk had an isolate that was also found in other matrices, which could indicate a microbial transference via the livestock environment to the milk. In addition, the mixed model showed that the factors that positively influence the LAB count were the low-line milking system and the daily use of acid detergent in cleaning the milking machine.

Dominant Yeast Community in Raw Sheep's Milk and Potential Transfers of Yeast Species in Relation to Farming Practices.

Yeasts are always present in any type of cheese, as well as in the factories where it is produced. However, the role of the yeast community in the cheese making process, as well as the routes of contamination used by yeast species to contaminate milk from the dairy farm environment, are not well known. The objectives of this study were to broaden the knowledge of the dominant yeast community in Manchega sheep's milk and to assess the contamination routes of the yeast species depending on the farm practices. Milk, teat surface (collected from ten ewes per farm), feed, and air (collected in milking parlours and livestock housing) samples were collected from 12 typical farms in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain with differences in farming practices, and the yeast species were identified using DNA sequencing methods. To evaluate whether certain farming practices have an effect on the distribution of species of yeast in the milk samples, a mixed model was used. The results showed that most of the dominant yeast species (mainly belonging to the genus Candida) found in milk were also found in the other samples, indicating a microbial transfer from the farm environment to the milk. Furthermore, the statistical model showed that factors influencing yeast counts in milk were the presence of yeasts in the milking parlour, the use of silage, and the frequency of acid treatment for cleaning the milking machines. In conclusion, milk contamination from the yeast species present in the dairy farm environment is related to certain farming practices such as the use of silage and the daily use of acid in the cleaning of the milking machines, which favours the presence of desirable microbiota in milk.

Factors Affecting Levels of Airborne Bacteria in Dairy Farms: A Review.

This review attempts to reflect the importance of different factors that affect the environmental quality of dairy farms and must, therefore, be taken into account when considering the importance of environmental microbiology as a tool in the improvement of the quality of milk and dairy products. The effect of a factor such as temperature is vital for the dairy farm environment, especially when the temperatures are extreme, because a proper choice of temperature range improves the quality of the air and, thus, animal welfare. Similarly, the appropriate level of relative humidity in the environment should be taken into consideration to avoid the proliferation of microorganisms on the farm. Air quality, well-designed livestock housing, proper hygienic practices on the farm, stocking density, and the materials used in the livestock houses are all important factors in the concentration of microorganisms in the environment, promoting better welfare for the animals. In addition, a ventilation system is required to prevent the pollution of the farm environment. It is demonstrated that proper ventilation reduces the microbial load of the environment of dairy farms, enhancing the quality of the air and, therefore, the wellbeing of the animals. All this information is very useful to establish certain standards on dairy farms to improve the quality of the environment and, thereby, achieve better quality milk and dairy products.

Updating Beliefs under Perceived Threat.

Humans are better at integrating desirable information into their beliefs than undesirable information. This asymmetry poses an evolutionary puzzle, as it can lead to an underestimation of risk and thus failure to take precautionary action. Here, we suggest a mechanism that can speak to this conundrum. In particular, we show that the bias vanishes in response to perceived threat in the environment. We report that an improvement in participants' tendency to incorporate bad news into their beliefs is associated with physiological arousal in response to threat indexed by galvanic skin response and self-reported anxiety. This pattern of results was observed in a controlled laboratory setting (Experiment I), where perceived threat was manipulated, and in firefighters on duty (Experiment II), where it naturally varied. Such flexibility in how individuals integrate information may enhance the likelihood of responding to warnings with caution in environments rife with threat, while maintaining a positivity bias otherwise, a strategy that can increase well-being.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The human tendency to be overly optimistic has mystified scholars and lay people for decades: How could biased beliefs have been selected over unbiased beliefs? Scholars have suggested that although the optimism bias can lead to negative outcomes, including financial collapse and war, it can also facilitate health and productivity. Here, we demonstrate that a mechanism generating the optimism bias, namely asymmetric information integration, evaporates under threat. Such flexibility could result in enhanced caution in dangerous environments while supporting an optimism bias otherwise, potentially increasing well-being.

[Infectious mastitis: a new solution for an old problem]. / Mastitis infecciosa: nueva solución para un viejo problema.

Mastitis is an inflammation of one or several mammal lobes accompanied or not by a mammary gland infection (WHO 2000). The most frequent etiology is infectious, and the highest prevalence period in women is breast-feeding time. The incidence varies from 2 to 33% according to different authors, being more frequent in primiparous women and during the early postpartum weeks. There are other breast inflammatory processes related etiologies, unrelated to breastfeeding, such as neoplasms or trauma to which no reference is made at this time, since the primary objective of this work is focused on infectious etiology which is caused almost exclusively in relation to postpartum and lactation factors.

La mastitis es la inflamación de uno o varios lóbulos de la glándula mamaria acompañada o no de infección1. La etiología más frecuente es la infecciosa y el periodo de mayor prevalencia es durante la lactancia. La incidencia varía del 2 al 33% según los diferentes autores, siendo más frecuente en primíparas y durante las primeras semanas postparto. Existen otros procesos inflamatorios mamarios relacionados con etiologías que no guardan relación con la lactancia, como pueden ser neoplasias o traumatismos a los cuales no vamos a hacer referencia, dado que el objetivo primordial de este trabajo está orientado a la etiología infecciosa y casi exclusivamente en relación con el puerperio y lactancia.

Chimeric infectious bursal disease virus-like particles as potent vaccines for eradication of established HPV-16 E7-dependent tumors.

Cervical cancer is caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and represents the second most frequent gynecological malignancy in the world. The HPV-16 type accounts for up to 55% of all cervical cancers. The HPV-16 oncoproteins E6 and E7 are necessary for induction and maintenance of malignant transformation and represent tumor-specific antigens for targeted cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated immunotherapy. Therapeutic cancer vaccines have become a challenging area of oncology research in recent decades. Among current cancer immunotherapy strategies, virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines have emerged as a potent and safe approach. We generated a vaccine (VLP-E7) incorporating a long C-terminal fragment of HPV-16 E7 protein into the infectious bursal disease virus VLP and tested its therapeutic potential in HLA-A2 humanized transgenic mice grafted with TC1/A2 tumor cells. We performed a series of tumor challenge experiments demonstrating a strong immune response against already-formed tumors (complete eradication). Remarkably, therapeutic efficacy was obtained with a single dose without adjuvant and against two injections of tumor cells, indicating a potent and long-lasting immune response.

Equine torovirus (BEV) induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in infected cells.

Toroviruses are gastroenteritis causing agents that infect different animal species and humans. To date, very little is known about how toroviruses cause disease. Here, we describe for the first time that the prototype member of this genus, the equine torovirus Berne virus (BEV), induces apoptosis in infected cells at late times postinfection. Observation of BEV infected cells by electron microscopy revealed that by 24 hours postinfection some cells exhibited morphological characteristics of apoptotic cells. Based on this finding, we analyzed several apoptotic markers, and observed protein synthesis inhibition, rRNA and DNA degradation, nuclear fragmentation, caspase-mediated cleavage of PARP and eIF4GI, and PKR and eIF2α phosphorylation, all these processes taking place after peak virus production. We also determined that both cell death receptor and mitochondrial pathways are involved in the apoptosis process induced by BEV. BEV-induced apoptosis at late times postinfection, once viral progeny are produced, could facilitate viral dissemination in vivo and contribute to viral pathogenesis.

Factores de riesgo para la enfermedad coronaria temprana en mujeres / Risk factors for premature coronary disease in women

Introducción. La enfermedad coronaria es la causa principal de muerte en las mujeres; por esta razón, es prioritario el control del riesgo cardiovascular. Los estudios recientes sugieren una relación entre las alteraciones de la gestación y la enfermedad coronaria; sin embargo, esta hipótesis no ha sido evaluada en la población de mujeres latinoamericanas.Objetivo. Identificar la asociación de riesgo que existe entre la enfermedad coronaria prematura y las alteraciones de la gestación en una población de mujeres colombianas. Materiales y métodos. Es un estudio de casos y controles. Se consideraron casos a las mujeres menores de 55 años sometidas a nueva irrigación quirúrgica o percutánea, y los controles fueron mujeres menores de 55 años con diagnóstico de coronarias sanas por angiografía. Resultados. Se incluyeron 200 pacientes, 100 con coronarias sanas y 100 con enfermedad coronaria, con edad promedio de 46,5±4,3 y 49,5±3,7 años, respectivamente. El análisis univariado mostró asociación entre la enfermedad coronaria y los antecedentes de preeclampsia, partos prematuros, recién nacidos de bajo peso, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemia y tabaquismo. El análisis multivariado mostró persistencia de la asociación con partos pretérmino (OR=6,05; IC95% 2,3-15; p=0,00), dislipidemia (OR=4,09; IC95% 2,1-7,8; p=0,00) y tabaquismo (OR=1,7; IC95% 0,93-3,2; p=0,08). La práctica de actividad física regular se encontró como factor protector (OR=0,5; IC95% 0,27-0,97; p=0,04). Conclusiones. El presente estudio sugiere asociación entre la presencia de enfermedad coronaria prematura y el antecedente de alteraciones de la gestación.

Introduction. Coronary disease is the leading cause of death in women, and consequently, identification of cardiovascular risk factors must be a priority. Recent studies have linked pregnancy disturbances and coronary disease, but this hypothesis has remained unproved in Hispanic women.Objective. The association of traditional risk factors and pregnancy disturbances with coronary heart disease was assessed in a sample of women with premature coronary disease. Materials and methods. The case control study included only women <55 years old, who had undergone a coronary angiography. Two hundred women were included, 100 without and 100 with coronary disease, and with mean ages of 46.5±4.3 and 49.5±3.7 years, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between risk factors and coronary disease. Crude and multivariate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results. Univariate analysis showed an association between coronary disease and the past medical history of preeclampsia, premature delivery, low birth weight, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and smoking habit. Logistic regression analysis showed an association of premature delivery (OR=6.0, 95%CI 2.3-15.0, p<0.01), hypercholesterolemia (OR=4.1, 95%CI 2.1-7.8, p<0.01) and smoking habit (OR=1.7, 95%Ci 0.9-3.2, p=0.08). The practice of regular physical activity was identified as a protection factor (OR=0.5, 95%CI 0.3-1.0, p=0.04).Conclusion. Pregnancy disturbances and traditional risk factors were related to an increased risk of coronary artery disease in a Hispanic population of women with premature coronary disease.

[Risk factors for premature coronary disease in women]. / Factores de riesgo para la enfermedad coronaria temprana en mujeres.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary disease is the leading cause of death in women, and consequently, identification of cardiovascular risk factors must be a priority. Recent studies have linked pregnancy disturbances and coronary disease, but this hypothesis has remained unproved in Hispanic women. OBJECTIVE: The association of traditional risk factors and pregnancy disturbances with coronary heart disease was assessed in a sample of women with premature coronary disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case control study included only women <55 years old, who had undergone a coronary angiography. Two hundred women were included, 100 without and 100 with coronary disease, and with mean ages of 46.5±4.3 and 49.5±3.7 years, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between risk factors and coronary disease. Crude and multivariate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed an association between coronary disease and the past medical history of preeclampsia, premature delivery, low birth weight, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and smoking habit. Logistic regression analysis showed an association of premature delivery (OR=6.0, 95%CI 2.3-15.0, p<0.01), hypercholesterolemia (OR=4.1, 95%CI 2.1-7.8, p<0.01) and smoking habit (OR=1.7, 95%Ci 0.9-3.2, p=0.08). The practice of regular physical activity was identified as a protection factor (OR=0.5, 95%CI 0.3-1.0, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy disturbances and traditional risk factors were related to an increased risk of coronary artery disease in a Hispanic population of women with premature coronary disease.

Improving recombinant MVA immune responses: potentiation of the immune responses to HIV-1 with MVA and DNA vectors expressing Env and the cytokines IL-12 and IFN-gamma.

Recombinants based on vaccinia virus vectors, especially on the highly attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strain, are now being tested in clinical trials for safety and immunogenicity, using prime/boost heterologous regimes of vaccination. Due to the limited replication capacity of MVA, it is necessary to develop procedures that can enhance the specific cellular immune responses to the recombinant antigen delivered by the MVA vector. In this investigation, we have characterized the systemic immune responses in BALB/c mice using interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or interleukin-12 (IL-12) in an adjuvant-like manner elicited by MVA recombinants or naked DNA vectors expressing one of those cytokines in combination with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) as antigen. In infected mice, virus gene expression in splenocytes and levels of cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-12 in serum were maximal by 6h post-infection (hpi) with MVA recombinants expressing IFN-gamma (MVAIFN-gamma) or IL-12 (MVAIL-12). In the infected animals, co-expression of HIV-1 env (MVAENV) and either IFN-gamma or IL-12 from MVA recombinants produced a two and three-fold increase of anti-env CD8+ T cell response, respectively. When priming was carried out with DNA vectors expressing HIV-1 env and either IFN-gamma or IL-12, the magnitude of the specific anti-env CD8+ T cell stimulation after MVAENV booster was further enhanced. Our findings revealed that IFN-gamma or IL-12 can be used to potentiate the cellular immune response to HIV-1 env, when delivered either from a single MVA recombinant or from a DNA vector. The increment of the CD8+ T cell response was higher in a DNA/MVA prime/boost protocol. Thus, the immune response of MVA vectors can be improved with the co-delivery of the cytokines IFN-gamma or IL-12.

Visión de las IPS de Medellín sobre la labor del odontólogo egresado del CES / Perspective of Health Services Institutions about the performance of dentists graduated from CES University

Se identificó la visión de las IPS que ejecutan labores odontológicas y se determinaron los parámetros que manejan las diferentes IPS de la ciudad de Medellín para elegir sus odontólogos y se analizaron las ventajas y desventajas en el campo laboral que tiene el odontólogo egresado del CES, al compararlo con los egresados de otras universidades. La recolección de datos se hizo por medios de encuestas a las personas encargadas de la contratación del personal para elaborar en el área odontológica de las IPS seleccionas. Se encontró que a nivel general el odontólogo del CES goza de una buena aceptación en las diferentes IPS, a su vez, se identificó que dicho odontólogo posee fortalezas como la disciplina, la preparación académica y ser un profesional integral. Estas características hacen que el odontólogo egresado del CES sea un Profesional competitivo, ubicándose en los primeros lugares de selección en una IPS. También se analizaron las debilidades de los odontólogos y las áreas en que este debe enfatizar; entre ellas se encontró el diagnóstico clínico, la aspiración salarial, la humildad y la dificultad para relacionarse en los equipos e trabajo. Se puede concluir que el odontólogo egresado del CES se encuentra posicionado en los primeros lugares en el momento de la selección de personal para laborar en las IPS de la ciudad de Medellín, convirtiéndolo en un profesional idóneo aunque con falencias que de cierto modo influyen en el momento de su contratación...