A Polyherbal Mixture with Nutraceutical Properties for Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis and Review of BioCholine Powder.

BioCholine Powder is a polyherbal feed additive composed of Achyrantes aspera, Trachyspermum ammi, Azadirachta indica, and Citrullus colocynthis. The objective of this study was to analyze published results that support the hypothesis that the polyherbal product BioCholine Powder has rumen bypass choline metabolites through a meta-analysis and effect size analysis (ES). Using Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and university dissertation databases, a systematic search was conducted for experiments published in scientific documents that evaluated the effects of BioCholine supplementation on the variables of interest. The analyzed data were extracted from twenty-one publications (fifteen scientific articles, three abstracts, and three graduate dissertations available in institutional libraries). The studies included lamb growing-finishing, lactating ewes and goats, calves, and dairy cows. The effects of BioCholine were analyzed using random effects statistical models to compare the weighted mean difference (WMD) between BioCholine-supplemented ruminants and controls (no BioCholine). Heterogeneity was explored, and three subgroup analyses were performed for doses [(4 (or 5 g/d), 8 (10 g/d)], supplementation in gestating and lactating ewes (pre- and postpartum supplementation), and blood metabolites by species and physiological state (lactating goats, calves, lambs, ewes). Supplementation with BioCholine in sheep increased the average daily lamb gain (p < 0.05), final body weight (p < 0.01), and daily milk yield (p < 0.05) without effects on intake or feed conversion. Milk yield was improved in small ruminants with BioCholine prepartum supplementation (p < 0.10). BioCholine supplementation decreased blood urea (p < 0.01) and increased levels of the liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT; p < 0.10) and albumin (p < 0.001). BioCholine doses over 8 g/d increased blood glucose, albumin (p < 0.10), cholesterol, total protein, and globulin (p < 0.05). The ES values of BioCholine in retained energy over the control in growing lambs were +7.15% NEm (p < 0.10) and +9.25% NEg (p < 0.10). In conclusion, adding BioCholine Powder to domestic ruminants' diets improves productive performance, blood metabolite indicators of protein metabolism, and liver health, showing its nutraceutical properties where phosphatidylcholine prevails as an alternative that can meet the choline requirements in ruminants.

Effect of the Supplementation Using an Herbal Mixture as a Choline Source during Early Gestation in Rambouillet Ewes.

Previous research indicates that adequate choline nutrition during late gestation improves fetal development. However, there is a lack of studies describing choline's role during early gestation. Thus, the current study hypothesizes that an herbal mixture as a source of choline (Biocholine) positively affects offspring development from ewes supplemented during early gestation. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the impact of biocholine on the programming of the offspring early in life through the evaluation of dams and newborn performance. Twenty-eight four-year-old Rambouillet ewes were assigned randomly to two treatments: non-supplementation and 4 gd-1 of biocholine during the early gestation. Compared with the dams without supplementation, the ewes supplemented using biocholine showed no increase in parameters such as birth and weaning weight (p > 0.05). Additionally, the milk yield and quality of colostrum and milk did not present statistical differences (p > 0.05). However, the placental membrane development was reduced in the ewes that received supplementation with biocholine; interestingly, those dams increased the weight of the newborns during the lambing period (p < 0.05). Finally, the current study proposes necessary elucidation of how placental size is programmed and if less placental development has potential benefits in the fetus's development.

Influence of a Polyherbal Choline Source in Dogs: Body Weight Changes, Blood Metabolites, and Gene Expression.

Choline chloride is used to provide choline in dog foods; however, in other domestic species, it has been replaced with a polyherbal containing phosphatidylcholine. A polyherbal containing Achyrantes aspera, Trachyspermum ammi, Citrullus colocynthis, Andrographis paniculata, and Azadirachta indica was evaluated in adult dogs through body weight changes, subcutaneous fat thickness, blood metabolites, and gene expression. Forty dogs (4.6 ± 1.6 years old) who were individually housed in concrete kennels were randomly assigned to the following treatments: unsupplemented diet (377 mg choline/kg), choline chloride (3850 mg/kg equivalent to 2000 mg choline/kg diet), and polyherbal (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) for 60 days. Blood samples were collected on day 59 for biochemistry, biometry, and gene expression analysis through microarray assays. Intake, final body weight, and weight changes were similar for the two choline sources. Feed intake variation among dogs (p = 0.01) and dorsal fat (p = 0.03) showed a quadratic response to herbal choline. Dogs that received the polyherbal diet had reduced blood cholesterol levels (Quadratic, p = 0.02). The gene ontology analysis indicated that 15 biological processes were modified (p ≤ 0.05) with implications for preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer prevention, inflammatory and immune response, and behavior and cognitive process. According to these results that were observed in a 60 day trial, the polyherbal form could replace choline chloride in dog diets at a concentration of 400 mg/kg.

[Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and associated factors in residents from hospital centers during COVID-19 pandemic]. / Prevalencia de depresión, ansiedad y factores asociados en médicos residentes de centros hospitalarios durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To determine anxiety and depression frequency in residents from hospital centers during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out from June to December 2020. Residents from hospitals of Secretary of Health, Puebla, were identified. The sample included 247 residents, who had an individual interview and answered a questionnaire through CEMEVI (Virtual Medical Center of High Specialty). RESULTS: 17 % of anxiety and 45 % of depression were reported. The most frequent age group was 26 to 31 years; 124 women and 123 men; anesthesiology, internal medicine and pediatrics were the medical specialties with greater depression; internal medicine and pediatrics were the medical specialties with greater anxiety. The risk factors for depression were anxiety (OR = 36.9), record of contact with COVID-19 patients (OR = 2.49 p = 0.035), and parental anxiety record (OR = 2.6, p = 0.009). The medical history of parents with anxiety was risk factor for anxiety (OR = 2.3, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression and anxiety should alert to seek answers to the problem.

OBJECTIVO: Determinar la frecuencia de ansiedad y depresión en médicos residentes en centros hospitalarios en México durante la pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Se realizó estudio transversal observacional de junio a diciembre de 2020. Se identificaron médicos residentes de diferentes hospitales de la Secretaría de Salud en Puebla. La muestra incluyó a 247 médicos residentes, quienes fueron entrevistados individualmente y a través de un cuestionario de CEMEVI (Centro Médico Virtual de Alta Especialidad). RESULTADOS: La frecuencia de ansiedad fue de 17 % y de depresión, de 45 %. El grupo etario más frecuente fue el de 26 a 31 años: 124 médicos fueron mujeres y 123 hombres; los médicos de las especialidades que mostraron mayor frecuencia de depresión fueron anestesiología, medicina interna y pediatría; y de ansiedad, medicina interna y pediatría. Los factores de riesgo para depresión fueron ansiedad (RM = 36.9), historia de contacto con paciente con COVID-19 (RM = 2.49, p = 0.035) e historia de ansiedad en los padres (RM = 2.6, p = 0.009). La ansiedad se asoció con historia de padres con este trastorno (RM = 2.3, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia de depresión y ansiedad en la población de médicos residentes debe alertar a buscar respuestas al problema.

La validez discriminante como criterio de evaluación de escalas: ¿teoría o estadística? / Discriminant validity as a scale evaluation criterion: theory or statistics?

La validez discriminante es uno de los criterios habituales para evaluar las escalas de medida de constructos latentes en ciencias sociales. Este artículo muestra como se pueden obtener resultados contradictorios si se aplican diferentes procedimientos estadísticos, por lo que se recomienda evaluar de forma teórica la divergencia entre escalas que representan conceptos. De este modo, la validez de contenido actúa como criterio robusto frente a determinados análisis estadísticos basados en covarianzas.

Discriminant validity is one of the usual criteria for evaluating measurementscales that define latent constructs in social sciences. This article shows howdifferent statistical procedures frequently used for accomplishing this aim can yield misleading results. Authors recommend a theoretical judgement about divergence among scales that are manifestation of latent concepts. Therefore, content validity represents a robust condition against certain covariance statistical based analysis.

Use of Pleurotus Pulmonarius to change the nutritional quality of wheat straw. I: Effect on chemical composition / Uso de Pleurotus Pulmonarius para cambiar la calidad nutritiva de la paja de trigo. I: Efecto en la composición química / Uso de Pleurotus Pulmonarius para mudar a qualidade nutritiva da palha de trigo. I: Efeito na composição química

The effect of Pleurotus pulmonarius on the chemical composition of wheat straw was evaluated. Wheat straw, treated and untreated with P. pulmonarius, was obtained from a commercial facility. Ten samples plastic bags of wheat straw used previously as substrate to culture edible fungus were collected at random. The negative control group consisted of the pasteurized wheat straw untreated with P. pulmonarius. All samples were analyzed to determine dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and hemicellulose of each wheat straw. Data were analyzed by mean comparison using a t-Student test. No differences (P>0.05) between treatments were found for dry matter, crude protein and hemicellulose; however, straw treated with P. pulmonarius showed higher percentages (P<0.05) of organic matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber. It is concluded that growing P. pulmonarius in wheat straw improves the chemical composition of the straw by increasing its organic matter content and modifies the fiber structure, which increases the soluble carbohydrates content.

Se midió el efecto en la composición química de la paja de trigo usada como sustrato en la producción de Pleurotus pulmonarius. Las pajas de trigo, tanto tratadas con P. pulmonarius como no tratadas, fueron obtenidas de una empresa comercial. Para obtener muestras representativas para el análisis químico se tomaron al azar diez bolsas de la paja usada como sustrato para cultivar el hongo. El grupo testigo consistió en las pajas esterilizadas sin tratamiento con P. pulmonarius. A todas las muestras se les determinó materia seca, materia orgánica, proteína cruda, fibra detergente neutro, fibra ácido detergente, celulosa y hemicelulosa. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados mediante una comparación de medias utilizando una prueba de t-Student. No se encontraron diferencias (P>0,05) para el porcentaje de materia seca, proteína cruda y hemicelulosa; sin embargo, se presentó un mayor (P<0,05) porcentaje de materia orgánica, fibra detergente neutro y ácido para la paja tratada en comparación con la no tratada. Se concluye que el crecimiento del P. pulmonarius en paja de trigo mejora la composición química de las pajas aumentando el contenido de materia orgánica y modifica la estructura de la fibra, con lo que se incrementa el contenido de carbohidratos solubles.

Mede-se o efeito na composição química da palha de trigo usada como substrato na produção de Pleurotus pulmonarius. As palhas de trigo, tanto tratadas com P. pulmonarius como não tratadas, foram obtidas de uma empresa comercial. Para obter amostras representativas para a análise química se tomaram aleatoriamente dez sacolas da palha usada como substrato para cultivar o fungo. O grupo testemunha consistiu em palhas esterilizadas sem tratamento com P. pulmonarius. Determinou-se, em todas as amostras, matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína crua, fibra detergente neutro, fibra ácido detergente, celulose e hemicelulose. Os dados obtidos foram analisados mediante uma comparação de médias utilizando uma prova de t. Não se encontraram diferenças (P>0,05) para a porcentagem de matéria seca, proteína crua e hemicelulose; no entanto, se apresentou uma maior (P<0,05) porcentagem de matéria orgânica, fibra detergente neutra e ácida para a palha tratada em comparação com a não tratada. Conclui-se que o crescimento do P. pulmonarius na palha de trigo melhora a composição química das palhas aumentando o conteúdo de matéria orgânica e modifica a estrutura da fibra, com o que se incrementa o conteúdo de carboidratos solúveis.

[Determining the most unfavourable variance to calculate the Measurement Scale Imprecision Factor, and extension to other types of sampling methods]. / Determinación de la máxima varianza para el cálculo del factor de imprecisión sobre la escala de medida, y extensión a diferentes tipos de muestreo.

The precision of estimates must be adequately reported in survey research, where ordinal and interval measurement scales are commonly used. Regarding mean estimate, absolute and relative errors exist as a function of the measurement scales. This manuscript discusses some assumptions underlying the development of the Measurement Scale Imprecision Factor--MSIF--, a tool to assess the degree of imprecision of estimates, regardless of the scale rank considered. Specifically, we propose a new method for determining the most unfavourable variance, which is consistent with the normal distribution assumption, unlike the original assumption based on the bimodal distribution. This method reduces the value of the most unfavourable variance, which is easily computed using the cumulative normal standard distribution function. In addition, we show the relationship between MSIF and other types of probabilistic sampling methods, such as stratified and cluster sampling.

[Prevention of thromboembolism in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation in primary health care]. / Prevención de la enfermedad tromboembólica en pacientes con fibrilación auricular crónica en atención primaria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the appropriateness of antithrombotic treatment administration in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) attended in a health primary center. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Transverse and descriptive study; 416 patients diagnosed with CAF were included out of a population of 28,447. Age, sex, embolism risk factors, antithrombotic therapy, contraindications to anticoagulation and stratification risk variables were collected. After a bivariate analysis, a logistic regression model was done to analyze the variable associated with an incorrect antithrombotic therapy. RESULTS: 81% patients were given a correct antithrombotic therapy: 96.8% with a valvular-CAF pattern and 78.2% with a non-valvular CAF pattern. Older the patient, higher the percentage of incorrect antithrombotic administration (t = 3.184; p = 0.002). A greater embolic risk was associated with a better antithrombotic treatment (p < 0.001). The existence of at least one risk factor was also associated with a correct administration (p < 0.001). Hypertension, mitral valvular heart disease and valvular prosthesis were factors associated with a correct antithrombotic therapy. In a multivariate analysis, limited quality of life, mitral valvular heart disease, hypertension and previous systemic embolism behaved all as protective factors of a wrong treatment. An age older than 80 years was associated with a risk of treatment which was 2.89 times higher than that of individuals with the same age or youngers (OR = 2.89; 95% CI, 1.68-4.95). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with CAF, both valvular and non-valvular, were properly given antithrombotic therapy. The main factor associated with an incorrect antithrombotic therapy was advanced age.