Gut-gonad crosstalk in mice exposed to a "chemical cocktail" combining metabolomics and microbial profile by amplicon sequencing.

Testes are very prone to be damaged by environmental pollutants, but there is a lack of information about the impact of "chemical cocktails" (CC) on the testicular metabolome and the possible influence in the gut-gonad crosstalk. For this, BALB/c mice were given flumequine and diclofenac orally in food and potentially toxic trace elements (Cd, Hg, As) in drinking water. A mice group was supplemented with selenium, a well-known antagonist against many pollutants. Our results revealed that the steroid 5-alpha-androstan-17-beta-ol propionate, suggested as a parameter of androgenicity independent of testosterone levels, proline that improves reproductive indicators in male rabbits affected by environmental stress) among others metabolites are only present after CC exposure with rodent and selenium supplemented diet. Selenium also antagonized the up-or down-regulation of anandamide (20:l, n-9) (p < 0.001 and FC 0.54 of CC vs C but p > 0,05 and FC 0.74 of CC-Se vs C), that regulates gonadotropin-releasing hormones in mammals, 2,3-dinor-11b-PGF2a (p < 0.001 and FC 0.12 of CC vs C but p > 0,05 and FC 0.34 of CC-Se vs C), which has been related with reproductive hormones, besides others testicular metabolites altered by the exposure to the CC and reversed the levels to control. Moreover, numerous significant associations between gut microbes and testicular metabolites indicated a possible impact of pollutants in the testes mediated by gut microbiota due to a gut-gonad crosstalk.

Community pharmacy is the key to improving vitamin D levels.

Introduction: Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient that participates in the body's fundamental physiological processes. The pharmacist should involve the patient in his medication adherence, leading to a change in the patient's attitude towards his medication and towards his health problem, in order to achieve the pharmacological objective set. Methods: Quasi-experimental multicenter study design with non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A pharmacist-led intervention in health education was carried out, divided in two groups, face-to-face interview and on-line survey, and the results were evaluated 3 months later to observe if there was any change in the patient's health status or in their vitamin D levels. Results: The study was conducted in four pharmacies through face-to-face interviews (n = 49 patients) and online surveys (n = 23). Pharmaceutical intervention improved habits of exercise (0.81 ± 1.44 days/week face-to-face interviews vs -0.09 ± 2.35 days/week online surveys (p = 0.048)). In face-to-face interviews, consumption of vitamin D-rich foods was increased (0.55 unit of tuna/week; p = 0.035 and 0.56 unit of avocado/week; p = 0.001) and was improved correct intake of vitamin D supplements (32.5% baseline to 69.8% at 3 months). The increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (11.5 ng/mL after 3 months (p = 0.021)) was correlated to salmon consumption (0.951; p = 0.013) and the improvement of quality of life was correlated to avocado consumption (1; p < 0.001). Conclusion: There are habits that improve vitamin D production such as increased physical activity, the correct use of vitamin D supplements and the consumption of foods with high vitamin D levels. The role of the pharmacist is crucial, involving the patient in the treatment making aware of the benefits for his/her health status of increasing vitamin D levels.

Ceftazidime-avibactam treatment in bacteremia caused by OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Therapeutic options for bacteremia caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) OXA-48-type are limited. The objective of this study was to analyze clinical success of CAZ-AVI compared with best available therapy (BAT) in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing OXA-48-type bacteremia (CRKp-OXA-48). We conducted a retrospective, single-center observational study in adult patients with CRKp-OXA-48 between December 2015 and May 2019. We collected the patients' clinical and epidemiological characteristics, antibiotic treatment (CAZ-AVI vs. BAT), and evolution. Factors associated with clinical success were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The study included 76 patients with CRKp-OXA-48-type bacteremia 33 received CAZ-AVI and 43 BAT. CAZ-AVI was mainly used in monotherapy (91%). Clinical success was more common in patients < 70-year-old (OR 4.79, 95% CI [1.435-16.002], p = 0.011) and CAZ-AVI treatment (OR 6.69, 95% CI [1.68-26.604], p = 0.007). Kaplan-Meier survival curve of 14-day mortality showed a lower mortality in patients who received CAZ-AVI (log rank 0.013). However, CAZ-AVI did not achieve statistical difference in IPTW for 14- and 30-day mortality (aOR 0.1, 95% CI [0.02-1.22], p = 0.076 and aOR 1.7, 95% CI [0.48-5.98], p = 0.413, respectively). CAZ-AVI treatment might be associated with a greater clinical success in CRKp-OXA-48 bacteremia.

Mice brain metabolomics after the exposure to a "chemical cocktail" and selenium supplementation through the gut-brain axis.

Several environmental pollutants have been shown to damage brain and affect gut microbiota. Limited evidence is available about the impact of "chemical cocktails" (CC) of xenobiotics on brain metabolome and their possible influence in the gut-brain crosstalk. To this end, BALB/c mice were exposed to heavy metals (As, Hg, Cd) and pharmaceuticals (diclofenac and flumequine) under regular rodent diet or supplemented with selenium (Se). Selenium, an antioxidant well-known for its antagonism against the neurotoxicity of several pollutants, modulated several brain metabolic impairments caused by CC (e.g., brain levels of the excitatory amino acid N-acetyl aspartic acid) by influencing mainly the metabolisms of purine, glycosylate and dicarboxylate, glutamate, glycerophospholipid, alanine and aspartate. Numerous associations were obtained between brain metabolites and gut microbes and they changed after Se-supplementation (e.g., Lactobacillus was positively associated with a brain ceramide, phosphoserine, phosphocholine, vitamin D3 derivative, fatty acids, malic acid, amino acids, and urea after the exposure, but not after Se-supplementation). Our results showed numerous evidences about the impact of CC on brain metabolome, the potential role of Se as an antagonist and their impact on the gut-brain axis. Further research is needed to understand the complex mechanism of action implied on CC-brain-microbiota interactions.

Bioaccumulation of mercury and selenium in tissues of the mesopelagic fish Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) from the northern Gulf of California and the risk assessment on human health.

With the aim of evaluating health risk to hake consumers, mercury and selenium were measured in muscle, liver, gonads, kidney, and gills of 62 specimens of Merluccius productus from northern Gulf of California. Means ± confidence interval (95% confidence level) concentrations (mg kg-1 wet weight) of Hg in tissues were: gonads (1.01 ± 0.25) > muscle (0.44 ± 0.06) > gills (0.29 ± 0.04) > kidneys (0.20 ± 0.07) > liver (0.02 ± 0.004). No significant differences between sexes were found for Hg. The distribution of mean concentrations of Se (mg kg-1 wet weight) were: kidneys (4.61 ± 1.27) > liver (1.66 ± 0.22) > gonads (1.66 ± 0.75) > gills (0.86 ± 0.04) > muscle (0.40 ± 0.09). Se in gonads showed a significant difference between sex (females > males). Positive significant correlations with total length (p < 0.05) and total weight (p < 0.05) were found in the same tissue for both morphological variables: Hg in muscle, Se in muscle and Se in liver. An excess of Se over Hg (molar ratio Se:Hg > 1) was found in all tissues. The Hazard Quotient health risk index was evaluated for humans that consume muscle and gonads. The recommended Hg safe intake for adults and children were 110.0 and 33.0 g week-1, respectively for muscle; for gonads weekly consumption portions of 35.0 and 14.0 g for adults and children represent no Hg risk. There was no risk of exposure to Se.

Supplemental progesterone during early pregnancy exerts divergent responses on embryonic characteristics in sows and gilts.

Progesterone (P4) plays a key role in pregnancy establishment and maintenance; during early pregnancy, P4 stimulates the production and release of uterine secretions necessary for conceptus growth prior to implantation; therefore, exogenous P4 supplementation may improve embryo development. This study evaluated the effects of supplementation during early pregnancy with long-acting injectable progesterone or altrenogest on embryonic characteristics of sows and gilts. Thus, a total of 32 sows and 16 gilts were used. On day 6 of pregnancy sows and gilts were allocated to one of the following groups: non-supplemented; supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest, orally, from days 6 to 12 of pregnancy; supplemented with 2.15 mg/kg of long-acting injectable progesterone on day 6 of pregnancy. Animals were killed on day 28 of pregnancy, and ovulation rate, embryo survival, embryo weight, crown-to-rump length, uterine glandular epithelium and endometrial vascularization were assessed. Treatments had no effect on pregnancy rate, embryo survival or endometrial vascular density (P > 0.05). Non-supplemented gilts presented larger and heavier embryos compared to gilts from supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Sows in the altrenogest group presented larger and heavier embryos compared to non-supplemented sows and sows supplemented with long-acting injectable progesterone. In conclusion, supplementation of sows and gilts with progestagen from day 6 of pregnancy can be used as a means to improve embryo survival without deleterious effects.

Dietary ractopamine supplementation of pregnant sows: what are the impacts on the neonate?

The use of additives such as ractopamine (Rac) in pregnant sows during early-mid pregnancy is an alternative to increase foetal and progeny growth and development. However, Rac supplementation in finishing pigs can lead to behavioural and physiological changes similar to the typical stress responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Rac in pregnant sows from day 25 to 50 of gestation (pre-hyperplastic stage) on piglet's vitality, blood parameters, number, diameter and perimeter of muscle fibres in semitendinosus muscle and developmental characteristics of piglets at birth to weaning. Forty-one hybrid sows were divided into three dietary treatments: (1) control diet without Rac (control), (2) addition of 10 mg/kg of Rac (Rac10) and (3) addition of 20 mg/kg of Rac (Rac20). Higher numbers of low-vitality piglets (P<0.05) were observed in Rac-fed sows, regardless of dose, compared with the control group. Very low-density lipoprotein levels were lower in the Rac10 group when compared with the Rac20 group at day 21. Haematocrit was greater, and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was lower in piglets from Rac-fed sows. No significant statistical differences were detected regarding piglets body weight, average daily gain, blood gasometry, complete blood count and muscle fibre measurements in semitendinosus muscle. The use of Rac in pregnant sows reduced the vitality parameters of piglets but did not improve the performance from birth until weaning and did not negatively influence the haematological parameter and lipid metabolism.

[The heart team : definition and organization. Point of view of the cardiologist]. / Le «Heart Team¼ : définition et organisation. Point de Vue du Cardiologue.

The management of complex cardiovascular disease has changed considerably with the development of new care strategies. In cardiology, the «Heart Team¼ or literally «Equipe du cœur¼ occupies a prominent place in the latest European and American recommendations, particularly in the management of complex coronary or valvular diseases and in heart failure patients. The concept of «Heart Team¼ is based on the need for a multidisciplinary holistic approach based on evidence (respect of the recommendations of the scientific societies), the patient as a whole (comorbidities, preferences), risks and long-term benefits of the treatment selected and performed, as well as on the level of local expertise. It aims to determine the best management strategy for the patient, and perhaps to guarantee a better result (prognosis).

La gestion des maladies cardiovasculaires complexes a considérablement changé avec le développement de nouvelles stratégies de soins. En cardiologie, le « Heart Team ¼, littéralement « Equipe du cœur ¼, occupe une place prépondérante au sein des dernières recommandations européennes et américaines, notamment dans la prise en charge des maladies coronaires, des pathologies valvulaires et de l'insuffisance cardiaque. Le concept de « Heart Team ¼ se base sur la nécessité d'une approche multidisciplinaire holistique fondée sur l'évidence (respect des recommandations des sociétés savantes), le patient dans sa globalité (comorbidités, préférences), les risques et bénéfices à long terme du traitement choisi, ainsi que sur le niveau d'expertise locale. Il a pour but de déterminer la meilleure stratégie de prise en charge pour le patient et, peut-être ainsi, de lui garantir un meilleur résultat (pronostic).

[Transcatheter aortic valve replacement : from a concept to a medical revolution]. / Remplacement valvulaire aortique par voie transcathéter : du concept au changement de paradigme dans le traitement des sténoses aortiques.

Since the first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in 2002, the paradigm for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis has changed. In the recent past, medical therapy with or without balloon aortic valvuloplasty was the only option for inoperable patients but now, TAVI has become the treatment of choice for these patients and the preferred alternative for high-risk operable patients. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) currently remains the gold standard for patients at low operative risk. As randomized trials have demonstrated comparable (or better results with TAVI) between TAVI and SAVR in the high-risk population, there is now a clear trend towards performing TAVI even in intermediate-risk. Nevertheless, there are still questions regarding TAVI involving paravalvular leak, stroke, pacemaker requirements, and durability, which remain to be more definitively answered before TAVI can routinely be performed in lower risk and younger population. Improvements in patient selection, multimodal imaging, and third generation devices have significantly decreased the incidence of TAVI complications. A role for post-procedure antithrombotic or anticoagulant management remains unanswered. Waiting for current studies to provide us with clear answers to these questions, it is the Heart Team's task to determine the optimal treatment for each patient based on risk scores, frailty metrics, comorbidities, patient's preference, and potential for improvement in quality of life.

Depuis la première implantation chez l'homme d'une prothèse aortique via un cathéter percutané en 2002 (TAVI, «Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation¼), nous avons assisté à un changement de paradigme en ce qui concerne le traitement des sténoses aortiques. Dans un passé récent, le traitement médical, avec ou sans valvuloplastie au ballonnet, était la seule option thérapeutique pour les patients inopérables, mais, actuellement, le TAVI s'est imposé comme le traitement de choix pour ces patients et ceux à haut risque chirurgical. Le remplacement valvulaire aortique chirurgical classique reste le traitement de choix pour les patients symptomatiques à faible risque opératoire. Des études randomisées ont démontré des résultats équivalents, voire supérieurs, du TAVI comparé à la chirurgie chez les patients à haut risque et il y a actuellement de solides arguments en faveur de l'approche transcathéter chez les patients à risque intermédiaire. Cependant, avant d'élargir les indications du TAVI aux patients plus jeunes ou à faible risque, certaines questions relatives aux points faibles de cette technique telles les insuffisances paravalvulaires, les complications neurologiques, les implantations de pacemakers et la longévité des prothèses sont en attente de réponses plus précises. L'amélioration de la sélection des patients, de l'imagerie multimodale, les troisièmes générations de prothèses ont permis de réduire considérablement l'incidence des complications liées au TAVI. Il reste encore à définir un protocole efficace de traitement antithrombotique ou anticoagulant en post-procédure. En attendant que les études en cours nous apportent des réponses claires à ces questions, c'est le rôle du «Heart Team¼ de déterminer, au travers d'une discussion collégiale entre experts de différentes disciplines, le traitement de choix pour chaque patient, en tenant compte des scores de risque, de l'évaluation des fonctions cognitives, des comorbidités, des préférences du patient et de l'impact du traitement sur la qualité de vie.

Patterns of mercury and selenium in tissues and stomach contents of the dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus from the SE Gulf of California, Mexico: Concentrations, biomagnification and dietary intake.

Selenium and mercury were evaluated in tissues and stomachs of the dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus from two sites in the Southeastern Gulf of California. Hg levels were consistently low and exhibited the following patterns: muscle (0.14 ±â€¯0.01 µg/g wet weight) followed by kidney (0.12 ±â€¯0.02 µg/g), liver (0.11 ±â€¯0.01 µg/g), and gonads (0.04 ±â€¯0.00 µg/g). The maximum of Se was found in the kidney (5.60 ±â€¯0.40 µg/g) and the minimum in muscle (0.60 ±â€¯0.01 µg/g). All the Se:Hg molar ratios were between 3.7 and 697.1, with the minimum in muscle and the highest in gonads. The results indicate a contrasting behavior biomagnification of Hg and Se; smaller fish (<80 cm FL) did not exhibit biomagnification, in contrast with larger fish (>90 cm FL: 100% for Hg; 65% for Se). These results appear to be related to different feeding habits and availability of prey.

Exogenous ascorbic acid enhances vitrification survival of porcine in vitro-developed blastocysts but fails to improve the in vitro embryo production outcomes.

In this study, the effects of addition of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (AsA) were evaluated during porcine in vitro embryo production (IVP) and vitrification. In experiment 1, the effects of AsA supplementation during IVM, IVF and IVC were evaluated, using a total of 2744 oocytes in six replicates. The IVM, IVF and embryo IVC media were supplemented or not (control) with 50 µg/mL AsA in all possible combinations. No significant effects of AsA were detected in any of the maturation, fertilization or embryo development parameters assessed. In experiment 2, we evaluated the effects of adding AsA to vitrification-warming media on the post-warming survival and quality of blastocysts. Day-6 in vitro-produced blastocysts (N = 588) from six replicates were randomly divided in two groups, with vitrification and warming media either supplemented with 50 µg/mL AsA (VW + group) or un-supplemented (VW- control). Addition of AsA increased (P < 0.05) blastocyst survival rate after vitrification compared with that of VW- control embryos. Vitrification and warming increased (P < 0.05) the production of oxygen species (ROS) and reduced (P < 0.05) the glutathione levels in blastocysts. Although VW + blastocysts displayed higher (P < 0.05) ROS levels than those of fresh control blastocysts, the levels were lower (P < 0.05) than those found in VW- control blastocysts. In conclusion, under the experimental conditions, supplementation of IVM/IVF/IVC media with AsA did not improve the embryo production in vitro. By contrast, the addition of AsA to chemically defined vitrification and warming media increased the survival of in vitro-produced porcine blastocysts by decreasing ROS production.

In vivo study of teratogenic and anticonvulsant effects of antiepileptics drugs in zebrafish embryo and larvae.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Since AEDs are administered in women in childbearing age, it is critical to study if drugs are capable of inducing developmental toxicity. Along the bibliography available, there is no research comparing teratogenicity and anticonvulsant effect within the same study. In the present study, we evaluated the teratogenic and anticonvulsant effects of six different AEDs: carbamazepine, levetiracetam, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproic acid. Zebrafish was the selected animal model because of its small size, rapid external development and similar neurophysiology to mammals. Zebrafish embryo and larvae were exposed to AEDs. Embryo development was monitored by their hatching and morphology. In larvae, locomotor activity was measured as a parameter of neurotoxicity. Finally, anticonvulsant effect was determined after exposure to AEDs in zebrafish larvae treated with the proconvulsant drug pentylenetetrazole. Our results suggest that lamotrigine and phenytoin could be suitable non-teratogenic and efficient anticonvulsant options for epilepsy treatment.

Importance of oil overlay for production of porcine embryos in vitro.

Technologies to edit the zygote genome have revolutionized biomedical research not only for the creation of animal models for the study of human disease but also for the generation of functional human cells and tissues through interspecies blastocyst complementation technology. The pig is the ideal species for these purposes due to its great similarity in anatomy and physiology to humans. Emerging biotechnologies require the use of oocytes and/or embryos of good quality, which might be obtained using in vitro production (IVP) techniques. However, the current porcine embryo IVP systems are still suboptimal and result in low monospermic fertilization and blastocyst formation rates and poor embryo quality. During recent years, intensive investigations have been performed to evaluate the influence of specific compounds on gametes and embryos and to avoid the use of undefined supplements (serum and serum derivate) in the incubation media. However, little consideration has been given to the use of the mineral oil (MO) to overlay incubation droplets, which, albeit being a routine component of the IVP systems, is a totally undefined and thus problematic product for the safety of gametes and embryos. In this review, we provide an overview on the advantages and disadvantages of using MO to cover the incubation media. We also review one important concern in IVP laboratories: the use of oils containing undetected contamination. Finally, we discuss the effects of different types of oils on the in vitro embryo production outcomes and the transfer of compounds from oil into the culture media.

Análisis del DRCR Network sobre coste-efectividad de aflibercept, bevacizumab y ranibizumab para el tratamiento de edema macular diabético y su aplicación en España / The diabetic retinopathy clinical research network analysis of the cost-effectiveness of aflibercept, bevacizumab and ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema and its application in Spain

No disponible

Evaluation of the composition effect of harvested coffee in the organoleptic properties of coffee drink / Evaluación del efecto de la composición del café cosechado en las propiedades organolépticas de la bebida de café

Background: The current flourishing of the specialty coffee market has motivated the development of this research on the basis that the harvested coffee fruits are a determining factor in drink quality. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the composition of harvested coffee (Coffea arabica L.) regarding the organoleptic quality of the coffee drink for the varieties Caturra and Colombia. Methods: Treatments for the assessed varieties were defined with different percentage compositions of coffee fruits M1 (100R), M2 (80R, 13OV, 7SR), M3 (60R, 26OV, 12SR, 2UR) and the control M4, which included fruits in different ripening stages, ripe (R), overripe (OV), semi-ripe (SR) and unripe (UR), in different proportions in experimental units of 10 kg of harvested coffee. The experimental design envisaged 3 rounds (repetitions) of harvest. The harvested coffee was classified manually according to its ripening stage using a previously developed scale based on colorimetry and recording the degrees Brix of 50 fruits in each ripening stage. The standardized wet processing method was carried out; a Q Grader cupping panel of five members was used for the sensory analysis of the coffee drink. Results: The results showed that for the variety Caturra statistical differences in cup quality between treatments were not found, whereas for the variety Colombia, treatments M1 and M3 showed similar behavior, with statistically significant differences regarding M2 and M4. Finally, the mathematical modeling obtained to predict the cup score depending on the coffee ripening stages composition, counted with coefficients of determination R2 of 0.946 and 0.852 with an error of 1.40 and 1.03% for the varieties Caturra and Colombia, respectively. Conclusions: The model developed with fuzzy logic and validated with information from other farms, presented an error of less than 2% in the estimation of the cup as a function of the ripening stages composition of the coffee varieties Caturra and Colombia.

Antecedentes: El progreso en el mercado de los cafés especiales, ha motivado el desarrollo de la presente investigación tomando como base que los frutos de café cosechados son un factor determinante en la calidad de la bebida. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue la evaluación del efecto de la composición del café (Coffea arabica L.) cosechado respecto a la calidad organoléptica de la bebida para las variedades Caturra y Colombia. Métodos:, se definieron los tratamientos (composiciones en porcentaje) de café cereza M1 (100M), M2 (80M, 13SM, 7P), M3 (60M, 26SM, 12P, 2V) y testigo M4, las cuales contemplan para los estados de maduración maduro (M), sobremaduro (SM), pintón (P) y verde (V) en proporciones diferentes en unidades experimentales de 10 kg de café cereza. El diseño experimental contempló 3 pases (replicas) de cosecha. Una vez cosechado al café se realizó la clasificación manual de los estados de maduración con ayuda de una escala previamente elaborada, así como la verificación objetiva por colorimetría y el registro de los grados Brix para 50 frutos en cada estado de maduración. Se realizó un proceso de beneficio húmedo estandarizado; se utilizó un panel de catación Q Grader de cinco integrantes para el análisis sensorial de la bebida. Un análisis de varianza fue empleado para comparar los resultados y se usó lógica difusa para elaborar un modelo matemático predictivo de la calidad en taza en las dos variedades. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que para la variedad Caturra no se encontraron diferencias estadísticas de calidad en taza entre los tratamientos, mientras que para variedad Colombia los tratamientos M1 y M3 presentaron igual efecto con diferencias estadísticas significativas respecto a M2 y M4. Finalmente, el modelamiento matemático obtenido para predecir la puntuación de la taza en función de la composición de los estados de maduración del café, contó con coeficientes de determinación R2 de 0,946 y 0,852 con errores de 1,40 y 1,03% en variedad Caturra y variedad Colombia, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El modelo desarrollado con lógica difusa validado con información de otras fincas presentó un error menor al 2% en la estimación de la taza en función de la composición de los estados de maduración del café variedad Caturra y Colombia.

Mercury and selenium concentrations in marine shrimps of NW Mexico: health risk assessment.

We determined total Hg and Se contents of hepatopancreas, exoskeleton, and muscle, and the Se:Hg molar ratios in the muscle of shrimps Farfantepenaeus californiensis and Litopenaeus stylirostris caught in NE Pacific Mexican waters. Total Hg mean values in muscle, hepatopancreas, and exoskeleton were 0.31 ± 0.26, 0.28 ± 0.29, and 0.24 ± 0.06 µg g-1, and 0.46 ± 0.46, 0.41 ± .034, and 0.24 ± 0.06 µg g-1 for F. californiensis and L. stylirostris, respectively. In all tissues, the mean concentrations of Se tended to be close to one order of magnitude higher than the respective Hg values. In F. californiensis, the hepatopancreas of the larger commercial size had significantly (p < 0.05) higher Hg content than smaller sizes, but correlations size-Hg concentration calculated for each tissue of either species were not significant. The Hg content of the muscle of all commercial sizes of both species was lower than the permissible limit and their Se:Hg ratios in all sizes were higher than 1, indicating low risk for human consumption.

Effects of zinc supplementation in the prevention of respiratory tract infections and diarrheal disease in Colombian children: A 12-month randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Among the preventive strategies for lowering the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and acute diarrhoea episodes, two of the most common diseases in children, zinc supplementation has received special interest. However, there is a need for additional studies that determine the preventive effects of different doses of zinc on URTI and diarrhoeal disease episodes in children. METHODS: In a randomised, triple-blind clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of 12 months of daily zinc supplementation in the incidence of URTI and acute diarrhoea in a population of healthy children aged between 6 and 12 months living in Bogota, Colombia. The outcomes analysed were incidence of URTI, acute diarrhoeal disease episodes, and side effects of the interventions. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2013, a total of 355 children underwent randomisation, with 174 assigned to the zinc supplementation group and 181 to the control group. In the multivariate analyses, having been randomised to the non-supplemented control group (IRR 1.73, 95% CI 1.52-1.97, p<0.001), and nursery attendance (IRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.07-1.87, p=0.016) were independently linked to the number of URTI. Likewise, having been randomised to the non-supplemented group (IRR 1.43, 95% CI 1.20-1.71, p<0.001), and lower socioeconomic status (IRR 1.86, 95% CI 1.11-3.13, p=0.018) were independently associated to the number of diarrhoeal disease episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Daily supplementation of 5mg of zinc during 12 months significantly decreased the incidence of URTI and diarrhoeal disease episodes in a healthy population of children aged between 6 and 12 months.

Malrotación-vólvulo intestinal: hallazgos radiológicos / Intestinal malrotation - volvulus: imaging findings

El radiólogo debe ser capaz de reconocer los signos de la malrotación intestinal en la imagen al tratarse de una entidad patológica con complicaciones potencialmente letales, como el vólvulo de intestino medio. Para diagnosticarla correctamente, es tan importante que exista un índice de sospecha clínica elevado como que el radiólogo sepa reconocer los signos específicos de malrotación y las variantes de la normalidad que pueden conducir a un diagnóstico erróneo. Aunque la posición no retroperitoneal de la tercera porción duodenal en ecografía, TC o RM parece ser un signo fiable para el diagnóstico, el tránsito gastrointestinal continúa siendo el estándar de referencia para ver la unión duodeno-yeyunal en una posición anómala. Nuestro objetivo es revisar los principales signos radiológicos de esta enfermedad y hacer hincapié en el papel de la ecografía para diagnosticar el vólvulo de intestino medio (AU)

Radiologists must be able to recognize the imaging signs of intestinal malrotation because this condition can lead to potentially lethal complications such as midgut volvulus. The correct diagnosis depends on both high clinical suspicion and the radiologist's ability to recognize the specific signs of malrotation and the normal variants that can lead to the wrong diagnosis. Although the location of the third portion of the duodenum outside the retroperitoneal area on ultrasonography, CT, or MRI seems to be a reliable sign of malrotation, the gold standard for determining whether the duodenojejunal flexure is in an abnormal location continues to be the upper gastrointestinal series. In this article, we review the most important imaging signs of malrotation and emphasize the role of ultrasonography in diagnosing midgut volvulus (AU)

Comparative study of select biochemical markers in cerebrospinal fluid of healthy dogs before and after treatment with nutraceuticals.

BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition depend on the disease stage and reflect modification of brain energy metabolism (BEM). Also, it has been reported that a decline in cognitive functions may be mitigated by incorporating nutraceuticals in the diet. OBJECTIVE: Assuming the beneficial effect of nutraceuticals on BEM and oxidative damage, the aim of this study was to determine if the administration of a nutraceutical compound results in changes of select CSF biomarkers in healthy adult Beagle dogs. METHODS: Two separate CSF and blood samples were obtained from 11 healthy adult Beagle dogs, before and after 50 days of treatment with a veterinary combined nutraceutical. CSF analysis included a total nucleated cell count, total protein, glucose, sodium, chloride, potassium, pyruvate, and lactate concentrations, and calculation of lactate/pyruvate ratio. CBC and serum biochemistry were also performed. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the significance of the changes after nutraceutical treatment. RESULTS: All studied variables remained within reference intervals, before and after treatment. A significant increase in CSF sodium and glucose concentration, and a decrease in lactate levels, was observed after treatment (P < .05), and the lactate/pyruvate ratio was decreased after treatment (P = .05). In serum, sodium and chloride concentrations were significantly increased (P < .05), and creatinine concentration was significantly decreased (P < .05) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 50 days of treatment with a nutraceutical compound, CSF glucose, sodium, and lactate concentrations, and L/P ratio were significantly different, suggesting an influence of nutraceuticals' administration on CSF composition.

Psicosis epiléptica periictal, una causa de psicosis reversible / Epileptic peri-ictal psychosis, a reversible cause of psychosis

Introducción: Las psicosis epilépticas se dividen respecto de su relación con las crisis en periictales e interictales. Las psicosis periictales tienen una estrecha relación temporal con las crisis epilépticas y ocurren antes (preictales), durante (ictales) o después de las mismas (postictales). Generalmente, tienen un inicio y final agudo, corta duración y una remisión completa, con riesgo de recurrencia. Las psicosis interictales o crónicas no guardan relación temporal con las crisis epilépticas. Existe otro tipo de psicosis epilépticas que se relaciona con la respuesta al tratamiento de la epilepsia: psicosis epiléptica por fenómeno de normalización forzada (psicosis alternativa) y dentro de esta se encuentra la psicosis epiléptica secundaria a cirugía de la epilepsia. Aunque se ha generalizado la combinación de antiepilépticos y neurolépticos para su manejo, no existen unas pautas estandarizadas de tratamiento en las psicosis epilépticas. Casos clínicos: Presentamos 5 casos de psicosis epilépticas periictales y remarcamos la excelente respuesta al tratamiento con levetiracetam. Consiguiendo un buen control tanto de las crisis como de los episodios psicóticos. Este fármaco resultó inocuo al asociarlo con neurolépticos en nuestros pacientes y no se precisaron dosis elevadas de estos últimos. Conclusiones: La diferenciación de los estados psicóticos asociados con la epilepsia según la relación temporal con las crisis epilépticas tiene utilidad clínica y pronóstica, dado que aporta aspectos importantes respecto al tratamiento y a la evolución de la enfermedad. El tratamiento de los trastornos mentales periictales o agudos se basa en el control de las crisis epilépticas, mientras que el tratamiento de los interictales o crónicos guarda más similitud con el de los trastornos de origen puramente psiquiátrico. El control estricto de las crisis puede, además de mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente y su discapacidad, prevenir el desarrollo de una psicosis interictal, por lo que consideramos que sería necesario establecer un protocolo de tratamiento para estos casos (AU)

Introduction: Epileptic psychoses are categorised as peri-ictal and interictal according to their relationship with the occurrence of seizures. There is a close temporal relationship between peri-ictal psychosis and seizures, and psychosis may present before (preictal), during (ictal) or after seizures (postictal). Epileptic psychoses usually have acute initial and final phases, with a short symptom duration and complete remission with a risk of recurrence. There is no temporal relationship between interictal or chronic psychosis and epileptic seizures. Another type of epileptic psychosis is related to the response to epilepsy treatment: epileptic psychosis caused by the phenomenon of forced normalisation (alternative psychosis), which includes epileptic psychosis secondary to epilepsy surgery. Although combination treatment with antiepileptic and neuroleptic drugs is now widely used to manage this condition, there are no standard treatment guidelines for epileptic psychosis. Clinical cases: We present 5 cases of peri-ictal epileptic psychosis in which we observed an excellent response to treatment with levetiracetam. Good control was achieved over both seizures and psychotic episodes. Levetiracetam was used in association with neuroleptic drugs with no adverse effects, and our patients did not require high doses of the latter. Conclusions: Categorising psychotic states associated with epilepsy according to their temporal relationship with seizures is clinically and prognostically useful because it provides important information regarding disease treatment and progression. The treatment of peri-ictal or acute mental disorders is based on epileptic seizure control, while the treatment of interictal or chronic disorders has more in common with managing disorders which are purely psychiatric in origin. In addition to improving the patient’s quality of life and reducing disability, achieving strict control over seizures may also prevent the development of interictal psychosis. For this reason, we believe that establishing a treatment protocol for such cases is necessary (AU)