Expression of apoptosis and myogenesis related genes during prenatal life in two divergent breeds of pigs.

We aimed to evaluate apoptosis and myogenesis related genes expression in embryos and fetuses from two divergent genetic groups of pigs: Piau breed and a commercial line. Thirty females (15 Piau and 15 commercial line) were selected at 120 days of age. Estrous cycle was observed and on the third estrus females were considered sexually mature. Gilts were inseminated with semen from males of the respective breed. Three females from each breed were slaughtered at five different gestational ages: 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days. Whole embryos (15 and 30 d) and samples of longissimus dorsi muscle from fetuses (45, 60 and 90 d) were collected for RNA extraction. Expression of apoptosis and myogenesis related genes (BAX, BCL2, FGF4, IHH, HHIP, SHH, SOX2, WNT1 and WNT4) were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR. There was significant effect of interaction between breeds and gestational ages for all genes evaluated (P < 0.05). The BCL2 gene expression differed throughout pregnancy in Piau group with lower expression on day 15. The IHH gene expression throughout pregnancy was lower on days 15 and 60 in Piau group and lower on day 90 in commercial line group; and the SHH gene expression throughout pregnancy was higher on day 30 and lower on day 60 in Piau group and lower on day 45 in commercial group. The WNT1 gene expression along pregnancy was lower on day 15 and higher on days 30 and 45 in Piau group, and it was higher on day 30 than days 15 and 60 in commercial group. WNT4 gene expression throughout pregnancy was lower on day 15 in Piau group, and it was lower on day 30 in commercial pigs. Piau group presented higher expression of the FGF4 gene on days 45, 60 and 90, and commercial group showed higher expression on day 15 and 90. SOX2 gene expression was lower on day 15 in Piau pigs and it was constant throughout pregnancy in commercial group. Overall, the expression of IHH, SHH, WNT1, WNT4 and FGF4 genes were higher in commercial than Piau pigs on day 15, besides expression of BCL2 gene in Piau embryos was lower on day 15; these results might indicate that the muscle precursor cells are allowed to proliferate for a longer time in commercial than in Piau embryos by the balance of proliferative and apoptotic genes. Therefore, the expression differential between breeds can stimulate proliferation and differentiation of cells in different ways, explaining the postnatal differences in the muscularity between pigs from Piau breed and a commercial line.

Aspects of sexual precocity and morphometry of uterus, placenta and embryos/fetuses in Piau breed and Commercial line gilts.

In view of the importance of the genetic material of local breeds in the swine industry and the lack of information about reproductive performance of Piau females, two experiments were conducted to evaluate puberty and sexual maturity as well as the morphometry of embryos/fetuses, placenta and uterus during the first 90 days of gestation in Piau breed and Commercial line gilts. In experiment I, 37 Piau and 25 commercial line gilts were used. From the 120 days of age, detection of estrus was performed using mature boars from the first to third estrus of each gilt. Data regarding to age, body weight and estrus duration were recorded. After third estrus, females were slaughtered and ovaries were collected to determine ovulation rate. In experiment II, 36 Piau and 18 commercial line gilts were distributed into three groups according to the mating: Commercial, commercial line females x commercial line male; cross-mated, Piau females x commercial line male; and Piau, Piau females x Piau male. Gilts were slaughtered at 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days of pregnancy. Piau females reached puberty and sexual maturity at the same age as commercial line females, but with lower weight; moreover, Piau group showed negative correlations of birth weight with puberty (-0.27) and sexual maturity (-0.29). Commercial gilts presented higher ovulation rate, weight and length of uterus, and length and thoracic circumference of fetuses. Nevertheless, number of fetuses was similar in all groups at 90 days of gestation suggesting that Piau females present higher survival rates of the conceptuses. The results showed differences between the genetic groups related to fetal and placental development, gestational losses, number of ovulations and uterine development. In addition, an intermediate status of fetal weight was observed in Piau/Commercial line crossbred conceptuses; thus, the selection of Piau females on reproductive traits to be mated with commercial line males would be an alternative to contribute to improvement of intramuscular fat content.

Evaluación de conocimientos sobre oxigenoterapia y lectura del flujómetro en el personal de salud de pediatría del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia / Knowledge Evaluation of Oxygen Therapy and Flowmeter's Reading among Health Workers in the Pediatric Unit at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia

Introducción: el oxígeno (O2) es un medicamento que puede generar efectos adversos. Discrepancias en la lectura del flujómetro y metas de saturación de oxígeno (SpC>2) pueden repercutir en la toma de decisiones clínicas, paraclínicas y estancia hospitalaria de pacientes pediátricos. Objetivo: evaluar conocimientos sobre SpO2, efectos adversos del O2 y lectura del flujómetro en el personal de salud del Departamento de Pediatría del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: estudio transversal, mediante encuesta autodiligenciada en una muestra por conveniencia durante diciembre de 2016 y enero de 2017. Evaluación de conocimientos sobre oxigenoterapia, SpC>2, efectos adversos y lectura del flujómetro mediante fotografías de flujómetros del hospital con diferente fracción inspirada de oxígeno (FiC>2). Resultados: de 259 personas, el 77% respondió la encuesta. El 22% de los participantes respondió que la SpC>2 aumenta o se mantiene igual cuando el niño duerme; el 78% sabía de complicaciones del uso prolongado de O2, y el 67%, las relacionadas con la administración de una FiC>2 mayor a la necesaria. Con relación a la población neonatal, el 10% consideró que se deben buscar metas de SpO2 iguales o superiores al 96%; entre el 9% y el 19% de las lecturas en las diferentes fotografías de flujómetros fueron respuestas incorrectas. Discusión: es necesario reforzar conceptos actualizados sobre oxigenoterapia, con énfasis en metas de saturación, efectos adversos y lectura de flujómetro mediante campañas educativas periódicas.

Introduction: Supplemental oxygen is considerad a pharmaceutical drug; therafora, it can produce adverse effects. Lack of consensus regarding the reading of oxygen flowmeters and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpC>2) goals can influence clinical and paraclinical decisions and hospital stay length. Objective: To assess knowledge on oxygen therapy, adverse effects, SpC>2 goals and oxygen flowmeter's reading among personnel in the Pediatric Unit at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia. Methodology: Cross-sectional study derived from convenience sampling through a self-applied poli between December 2016 and January 2017. The poli evaluated topics on supplemental oxygen therapy fundamentáis and adverse effects, SpC>2 goals and flowmeter readings through flowmeters photographs indicating a specific ffaction of inspirad oxygen (FÍO2). Results: Response rate was 77% from 259 subjects. 22% considered that the oxygen saturation either increases or remains the same during sleep periods in children. 78% participants knew at least one complication associated to prolonged oxygen therapy and 67% due to supplementary oxygen concentration greater than required amounts. In neonatal population, 10% considered oxygen saturation efectos adversos y lectura de flujómetro mediante campañas educativas periódicas.