Factors affecting N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase as an indicator for mastitis detection in dairy sheep.

The study of new indirect methods for mastitis detection is of great relevance both at the economic level of the farm and dairies, and in terms of consumer health, and animal welfare. These methods help us to monitor the disease and speed up the decision-making process on treatment of the affected animal and the destination of the milk. The main aim of this work was to study the effect of intramammary infection and other non-infectious factors on the activity of the enzyme N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk, in order to evaluate its use as an indicator for the early diagnosis of mastitis in sheep that could be less expensive, easier to measure and a better marker of inflammation or complementary to existing methods such as somatic cell count (SCC). Seven biweekly samplings were carried out, in which NAGase activity, SCC and milk were analyzed. Glands were classified according to their sanitary status based on the results of the SCC and bacteriological analysis. Non-infectious factors such as lactation stage, parity number and milking session had a statistically significant effect on NAGase values, finding the highest NAGase values at the onset and end of the study, in infectious mastitic glands of multiparous females and at morning milking. However, among the NAGase variation factors studied, the health status of the gland was the factor that caused the highest variation in enzyme levels, with infectious mastitic glands showing higher values than healthy glands. The predictive ability of NAGase was also studied by means of several logistic regression models, with the one that included NAGase together with lactation stage and parity obtaining the best results if sensitivity is to be prioritized, or the model that included NAGase, lactation stage, parity, milking and production if specificity is to be prioritized. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of NAGase as an intramammary infection detection method in sheep can be useful when non-infectious factors that cause changes in the concentration of the enzyme are also considered.

Functional immune boosters; the herb or its dead microbiome? Antigenic TLR4 agonist MAMPs found in 65 medicinal roots and algae's.

Background: Humans have been consuming medicinal plants (as herbs/ spices) to combat illness for centuries while ascribing beneficial effects predominantly to the plant/phytochemical constituents, without recognizing the power of obligatory resident microorganism' communities (MOCs) (live/dead bacteria, fungus, yeast, molds etc.) which remain after industrial microbial reduction methods. Very little is known about the taxonomic identity of residual antigenic microbial associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) debris in our botanical over the counter (OTC) products, which if present would be recognized as foreign (non-self) antigenic matter by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) provoking a host immune response; this the basis of vaccine adjuvants. As of today, only few research groups have removed the herbal MAMP biomass from herbs, all suggesting that immune activation may not be from the plant but rather its microbial biomass; a hypothesis we corroborate. Purpose: The purpose of this work was to conduct a high through put screening (HTPS) of over 2500 natural plants, OTC botanical supplements and phytochemicals to elucidate those with pro-inflammatory; toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) activating properties in macrophages. Study Design: The HTPS was conducted on RAW 264.7 cells vs. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) E. coli 0111:B4, testing iNOS / nitric oxide production (NO2-) as a perimeter endpoint. The data show not a single drug/chemical/ phytochemical and approximately 98 % of botanicals to be immune idle (not effective) with only 65 pro-inflammatory (hits) in a potency range of LPS. Method validation studies eliminated the possibility of false artifact or contamination, and results were cross verified through multiple vendors/ manufacturers/lot numbers by botanical species. Lead botanicals were evaluated for plant concentration of LPS, 1,3:1,6-ß-glucan, 1,3:1,4-ß-D-glucan and α-glucans; where the former paralleled strength in vitro. LPS was then removed from plants using high-capacity endotoxin poly lysine columns, where bioactivity of LPS null "plant" extracts were lost. The stability of E.Coli 0111:B4 in an acid stomach mimetic model was confirmed. Last, we conducted a reverse culture on aerobic plate counts (APCs) from select hits, with subsequent isolation of gram-negative bacteria (MacConkey agar). Cultures were 1) heat destroyed (retested/ confirming bioactivity) and 2) subject to taxonomical identification by genetic sequencing 18S, ITS1, 5.8 s, ITS2 28S, and 16S. Conclusion: The data show significant gram negative MAMP biomass dominance in A) roots (e.g. echinacea, yucca, burdock, stinging nettle, sarsaparilla, hydrangea, poke, madder, calamus, rhaponticum, pleurisy, aconite etc.) and B) oceanic plants / algae's (e.g. bladderwrack, chlorella, spirulina, kelp, and "OTC Seamoss-blends" (irish moss, bladderwrack, burdock root etc), as well as other random herbs (eg. corn silk, cleavers, watercress, cardamom seed, tribulus, duckweed, puffball, hordeum and pollen). The results show a dominance of gram negative microbes (e.g. Klebsilla aerogenes, Pantoae agglomerans, Cronobacter sakazakii), fungus (Glomeracaea, Ascomycota, Irpex lacteus, Aureobasidium pullulans, Fibroporia albicans, Chlorociboria clavula, Aspergillus_sp JUC-2), with black walnut hull, echinacea and burdock root also containing gram positive microbial strains (Fontibacillus, Paenibacillus, Enterococcus gallinarum, Bromate-reducing bacterium B6 and various strains of Clostridium). Conclusion: This work brings attention to the existence of a functional immune bioactive herbal microbiome, independent from the plant. There is need to further this avenue of research, which should be carried out with consideration as to both positive or negative consequences arising from daily consumption of botanicals highly laden with bioactive MAMPS.

Goal-directed therapy in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment causes significant hemodynamic, metabolic, and hematological alterations. Studies on the anesthetic intraoperative management are heterogeneous and scarce. There is a great heterogeneity in the anesthetic management of CRS and HIPEC. The aim of this study is to analyze perioperative hemodynamic goal-directed management and to evaluate the complications arisen until the seventh postoperative day. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of all CRS and HIPEC patients from March 2014 to May 2017. Hemodynamic and clinical parameters were registered during surgery and the first 3 postoperative days. We correlated intraoperative data with the postoperative course until the seventh day. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included in the study (age 58.5 ± 10.9 years, 47% colorectal carcinoma, and 38% ovarian carcinoma). Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) (median and ranges) was 10 [0-39]. Cardiac Index (CI) 3.15 l/min-1/m-2 [1.79-5.60]) and Systolic Volume Variation (SVV) (10% [3%-17%]) remained within the values of normality in all surgery phases. A large difference was observed between the minimum and maximum ranges of fluid therapy administered (median 9.8 ml/kg/h [5.3-24.3]), showing a great interindividual variation in the fluids requirement. A direct relationship was observed between PCI and surgery duration, fluid therapy, and intraoperative transfusion percentage (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There is a great variability in the intraoperative fluid therapy needs of the patients. SVV monitoring makes it possible to adjust the fluid therapy needs in each surgery phase. The use of a hemodynamic goal-directed anesthetic protocol in CRS and HIPEC enables to individually adjust the fluid therapy, avoiding over-hydration and ensuring hemodynamic stability in all surgery phases.

Psoriasis en el embarazo: qué sabemos hoy de las terapias delpasado y del futuro? / Psoriasis in pregnancy: what do we know today about the therapies of the past and the future?

La psoriasis es una enfermedad sistémica que puede ocurrir de múltiples formas durante el embarazo, con severidad variable, incluso con formas que amenazan la vida. Las variantes severas se han asociado a mayores riesgos maternos y fetales, y la mayor parte de los tratamientos tópicos y sistémicos disponibles están contraindicados durante el embarazo por el riesgo de toxicidad fetal. Los tratamientos de primera línea son los emolientes y los corticoides tópicos de baja-moderada potencia y en casos severos la fototerapia nbUVB es el tratamiento de elección. En pacientes con formas muy severas y refractarias otras alternativas de tratamiento son la ciclosporina, los corticoides sistémicos y los agentes biológicos, especialmente los anti-TNF-α, sin embargo, la información disponible sobre el uso de estas moléculas en embarazadas es muy limitada, y sólo deberían considerarse en casos muy seleccionados. El impétigo herpetiforme es una forma propia de psoriasis pustular severa durante el embarazo y las principales alternativas terapéuticas son la inducción del parto o el uso de corticoides sistémicos.

Psoriasis is a systemic disease that can be present during pregnancy in different clinical forms and variable severity; some forms can be life threatening. Severe clinical forms are associated with greater maternal and fetal risks, and topical and systemic treatments available are mainly contraindicated during pregnancy because of fetal toxicity risks. First line treatments are emollients and low-medium potency topical steroids; in severe cases nUVB phototherapy is the preferred treatment. In patients with more severe and recalcitrant clinical forms cyclosporine, systemic steroids and biologics agents specially anti-TNF-α are the options. Nevertheless the available information of the use of these treatments in pregnant women is limited and these drugs should be considered only in very special cases. Herpetiformis impetigo is a proper form of severe pustular psoriasis in pregnancy and the treatments for this entity should be delivery induction or systemic steroids.

[Pseudomonas and acute external otitis. Results of a microbiological study in patients without previous antibiotic treatment]. / Pseudomonas y otitis externa aguda. Resultados de un estudio microbiológico en pacentes sin tratamiento antibiótico previo.

We report the results of a microbiological clinic study that was performed by our ENT Department between years 2000 and 2001 whose main objective was to determine, in Badajoz Area of Health, which bacteria were involved in the acute diffuse external otitis of patients without previous antibiotic treatment (two weeks before obtaining the samples). Of 79 isolated microorganisms in 62 patients that fulfilled the requirements established Pseudomonas, mainly P. Aeruginosa, represented a 46.83% altogether followed by Staphylococcus (18.98%). In almost one fourth part of the cases strains of associated fungi were identified.

Psoriasis y enfermedades afines: experiencia con Re-PUVA en el manejo de psoriasis moderada-severa / Psoriasis and related diseases: experience with Re-PUVA in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis

Introducción: El manejo de la psoriasis moderada-severa es complejo, y un importante número de pacientes considera que el tratamiento indicado por su médico tratante no es suficientemente agresivo. El uso de tratamientos combinados ha demostrado mayor efectividad que las monoterapias, logrando aclaración de las lesiones en menor tiempo, con dosis más bajas de agentes terapéuticos y menos efectos adversos. Objetivos: Presentar nuestra experiencia con terapia combinada de retinoides más PUVA (Re-PUVA) en pacientes con psoriasis moderada-severa. Pacientes y Métodos: Se trató a nueve pacientes con psoriasis moderada-severa, mayores de 18 años, con terapia combinada de acitretín+PUVA, evaluando respuesta clínica bajo protocolo y seguimiento fotográfico al inicio 8ª y 16ª semana de tratamiento. Se estimaron dosis requeridas, costos, y efectos adversos del tratamiento. Resultados: El tiempo de tratamiento requerido para conseguir aclaración en el 90 por ciento de los pacientes fue de siete semanas. La dosis promedio de acitretín fue de 033 mg/kg/ día y la dosis acumulada de UVA fue de 139 J/cm². El costo estimado para conseguir aclaramiento en el 90 por ciento de los pacientes fue de US$ 634. No se observaron efectos adversos severos. Conclusión: La terapia combinada Re-PUVA demostró ser una excelente opción terapéutica para psoriasis moderada-severa, lográndose óptimos resultados en un corto plazo, a un costo razonable, y sin efectos adversos severos.

Evaluación de las infiltraciones realizadas en atención primaria / Evaluation of filtrations practised in primary care

Objetivos. Describir la evolución del dolor y de la impotencia funcional en la patología articular y periarticular tras infiltrar con corticoide y anestésico local; analizar el número de altas que se pueden dar en estos pacientes en situación de incapacidad laboral transitoria (ILT) durante la primera semana postinfiltración. Diseño. Estudio de intervención sin grupo control. Emplazamiento. Consultas de un centro de salud semiurbano (ABS Piera). Participantes. Sesenta y cinco pacientes mayores de 18 años de ambos sexos, con afección articular y periarticular. Intervención. Se infiltró localmente con acetónido de triamcinolona y bupivacaína al 2% a 65 pacientes. Mediciones principales. Factores sociodemográficos, diagnóstico, respuesta, número de infiltraciones por paciente, efectos secundarios y número de altas de ILT durante la primera semana postinfiltración. Resultados. Se infiltró predominantemente a varones (57%) con 31-65 años (67,7%), activos (70,7%) en trabajos manuales (78,4%). La tendinitis del manguito de los rotadores (46,2%) y la epicondilitis (27,7%) fueron los diagnósticos más frecuentes. Las medias y el intervalo de confianza (IC) obtenidos en la escala analógica visual (EAV) para el dolor fueron: inicialmente, 8,6 (7,4-9,8); a la semana, 1,4 (1-1,8); a los 3 meses, 2,2 (1,3-3,1), y al año, 2,3 (1,1-3,5). Las medias y el IC del 95% hallados para la impotencia funcional fueron: inicialmente, 8,2 (6,7-9,7); a la semana, 0,9 (0,7-1,1); a los 3 meses, 1,2 (0,9-1,5), y al año, 1,6 (1,4-1,8). El número de infiltraciones por paciente fue 1,6. No hubo efectos secundarios importantes. Se dieron 19 altas en 25 pacientes que estaban en ILT durante la primera semana postinfiltración. Conclusiones. Los pacientes mostraron disminución del dolor y de la impotencia funcional en la afección articular y periarticular después de la infiltración, permitiendo dar un número elevado de altas durante la primera semana postinfiltración

Objectives. To describe the evolution of the pain and the functional impotence in the articular and periarticular pathology after to infiltrate with local corticosteroid and anaesthetic; to analize the number of discharge certificates that maybe to give in the patients with employment transitory incapacity (ETI) during the first week post-infiltration. Design. Intervention without control group. Setting. Semiurban primary care physician's practices (ABS Piera). Participants. Men and women elder than 18 years old, with articular and periarticular pathology. Intervention. Were infiltrated with local triamcinolone acetonid and bupivacain 2% 65 patients. Main measurements. Were gathered socio-demographic factors, diagnostic, response, number of infiltrations for patient, secondary effects, and number of discharge certificates that were given in the patients in ETI situation during the first week post-infiltration. Results. Were infiltrated predominantly men (57%) with 31-65 years old (67.7%), employed (70.7%) in manual works (78.4%). Rotary joint tendinitis (46.2%) and epicondylitis (27.7%) were the most common diagnostics. Mean and CI (95%) obtained in the VAS for pain were: initially, 8.8 (7.4-9.8); week, 1.4 (1-1.8); 3 months, 2.2 (1.3-3.1), and year, 2.3 (1.1-3.5). Mean and CI (95%) found for functional impotence were: initially, 8.2 (6.7-9.7); week, 0.9 (0.7-1.1); 3 months, 1.2 (0.9-1.5), and year, 1.6 (1.4-1.8). The number of infiltrations for patient was 1.6. Hadn't important secondary effects. Were given 19 discharge certificates in 25 patients with ETI in the first week post-infiltration. Conclusions. The patients diminished the pain and the functional impotence in the articular and periarticular pathology after of the infiltration, allowing to give an elevate number of discharge certificates during the first week post-infiltration

[Evaluation of infiltrations performed in primary care]. / Evaluación de las infiltraciones realizadas en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the evolution of the pain and the functional impotence in the articular and periarticular pathology after to infiltrate with local corticosteroid and anaesthetic; to analize the number of discharge certificates that maybe to give in the patients with employment transitory incapacity (ETI) during the first week post-infiltration. DESIGN: Intervention without control group. SETTING: Semiurban primary care physician's practices (ABS Piera). PARTICIPANTS: Men and women elder than 18 years old, with articular and periarticular pathology. INTERVENTION: Were infiltrated with local triamcinolone acetonid and bupivacain 2% 65 patients. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Were gathered socio-demographic factors, diagnostic, response, number of infiltrations for patient, secondary effects, and number of discharge certificates that were given in the patients in ETI situation during the first week post-infiltration. RESULTS: Were infiltrated predominantly men (57%) with 31-65 years old (67.7%), employed (70.7%) in manual works (78.4%). Rotary joint tendinitis (46.2%) and epicondylitis (27.7%) were the most common diagnostics. Mean and CI (95%) obtained in the VAS for pain were: initially, 8.8 (7.4-9.8); week, 1.4 (1-1.8); 3 months, 2.2 (1.3-3.1), and year, 2.3 (1.1-3.5). Mean and CI (95%) found for functional impotence were: initially, 8.2 (6.7-9.7); week, 0.9 (0.7-1.1); 3 months, 1.2 (0.9-1.5), and year, 1.6 (1.4-1.8). The number of infiltrations for patient was 1.6. Hadn't important secondary effects. Were given 19 discharge certificates in 25 patients with ETI in the first week post-infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The patients diminished the pain and the functional impotence in the articular and periarticular pathology after of the infiltration, allowing to give an elevate number of discharge certificates during the first week post-infiltration.

[Lingual tonsillitis. Report of 3 cases and literature review]. / Amigdalitis lingual. Presentación de 3 casos y revisión de la literatura.

Lingual tonsillitits is a relatively uncommon pathology that affects specially patients with previous palatine tonsillectomy and its clinical behaviour is even more notorious than an acute tonsillitis. We report 3 cases hospitalized by our ENT Department analysing the initial symptoms, complementary tests, treatment and clinical evolution. In one of the patients that diagnosis probably was secondary to a complication due to an infectious mononucleosis and finally he was operated by surgical cauterization the lingual tonsils.

Changes in phosphoinositide signalling activity and levels of the alpha subunit of G(q/11) protein in rat brain induced by E-5842, a sigma(1) receptor ligand and potential atypical antipsychotic.

Changes in the phosphoinositide (PPI) signal transduction system induced by E-5842, a new sigma(1) (sigma(1)) receptor ligand and potential atypical antipsychotic, were studied in the rat frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Acute treatment with E-5842 increased phospholipase C (PLC) activity in the striatum and the hippocampus. Chronic treatment with E-5842 induced an increase in the activity of PLC in the frontal cortex and the striatum. Similar up-regulation of the activity of the enzyme was also observed in rat frontal cortex membranes in presence of GTPgammaS. After chronic treatment with E-5842, it was also observed a significant increase of the immunoreactivity levels of G(q/11)alpha in the frontal cortex. Our results suggest that part of the antipsychotic effects of E-5842 could be related to the regulation of the PPI signal transduction pathway, especially after a prolonged treatment.

Insulin mediators are the signal transduction system responsible for insulin's actions on human placental steroidogenesis.

To test the hypothesis that insulin mediators serve as the signal transduction system for insulin's steroidogenic actions in human placental cytotrophoblasts, we examined the effects of two inositolglycan insulin mediators, the insulin pH 2.0 chiro-inositol mediator (IM-pH 2.0) and the insulin pH 1.3 myo-inositol mediator (IM-pH 1.3), on cytotrophoblastic steroidogenesis. When human cytotrophoblasts were incubated in medium supplemented with androstenedione for 24 h, treatment with IM-pH 2.0 or IM-pH 1.3 suppressed aromatase activity by 15% (P less than 0.05) and 49% (P less than 0.05), respectively, compared to insulin, which suppressed aromatase activity by 21% (P less than 0.05). When cytotrophoblasts were incubated in medium supplemented with pregnenolone for 24 h, treatment with IM-pH 2.0 or IM-pH 1.3 stimulated 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) activity by 145% (P less than 0.05) and 168% (P less than 0.05), respectively, compared to insulin, which stimulated 3 beta HSD activity by 63% (P less than 0.05). Suppression of aromatase activity and stimulation of 3 beta HSD activity by inositolglycan mediators were both concentration dependent. Moreover, preincubation of cytotrophoblasts with the antiinositolglycan antibody alpha IGP completely abolished insulin's ability to either inhibit aromatase or stimulate 3 beta HSD activity. These results indicate that insulin mediators mimic insulin's effects on cytotrophoblastic aromatase and 3 beta HSD activities and suggest that inositolglycan mediators are the signal transduction mechanism responsible for insulin's regulation of human placental steroid hormone biosynthesis.

[Pharmacodynamics of alcoholic and aqueous extracts from the Casimiroa edulis seed]. / Farmacodinamia de los extractos alcohólico y acuoso de la semilla de Casimiroa edulis.

The hypnotic properties of leaves and seed of Casimiroa edulis (zapote blanco) a tropical fruit, are well known. In the present investigation, pharmacological studies on aqueous and alcoholic extracts were carried out in dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, using different experimental models. The action of the extracts upon blood pressure, cardiac activity, respiration rate, muscular tone, electroencephalographic activity, sleep and other parameters were studied too. In addition to, studies upon isolated human, cat, rabbit and guinea pig tissues gave information about the extracts effect on smooth muscle activity. It was found that both aqueous and alcoholic extract of the seed of zapote blanco produced marked hypotension in all animal species, which was followed by a sleep-like stage. Also a definitive oxitocic effect in vivo and in vitro was demonstrated suggesting the presence of a potent uterus constricting substance.