Long-term outcome of redo discectomy for recurrent lumbar disc herniations.

PURPOSE: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) is an important cause of morbidity and healthcare costs. The goal of this investigation is to assess surgical outcomes and their predictors in patients who underwent revision discectomy for RLDH, with a minimum follow-up of ten years, to shed light on the best treatment to offer to these patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent revision discectomy to treat RLDH between 2004 and 2011 in our Department were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected. The need of third intervention for RLDH was the primary outcome. Patient's satisfaction, Core Outcome Measures Index, Oswestry Disability Index, and EuroQoL-5D scores were also evaluated. RESULTS: This study includes 55 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 144 months [112-199]. In this period, a third intervention was needed in 30.9% (n = 17) of patients. Most recurrences took place in the first 2 years after the second surgery (58.8%, n = 10) and the risk of needing a third surgery decreased over time. After 5 years, the probability of not having surgery for recurrence was 71% [CI 95%: 60-84%], with a tendency to stabilize after that. An interval between the first discectomy and the surgery for recurrence shorter than 7.6 months was identified as a predictor for a second recurrence. CONCLUSION: The risk of needing a third surgery seems to stabilize after five years. Patients with an early recurrence after the first discectomy seem to have a higher risk of a new recurrence, so an arthrodesis might be worth considering.

Early atypical malignant transformation of diffuse low-grade astrocytoma: The importance of genotyping / Transformación maligna atípica temprana de astrocitoma difuso de bajo grado: la importancia de genotipificar

Diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II) has classically been considered a slow growing tumour, typically affecting young adults, with tendency for late malignant conversion. We describe a case of early atypical malignant transformation of diffuse astrocytoma seventeen months after complete surgical removal, as an intraventricular high-grade glioma (HGG). Retrospective laboratory findings for the presence of IDH 1/2 (isocitrate dehydrogenase) mutations were negative. There is growing evidence that IDH-wildtype (wt) astrocytomas behave more aggressively, therefore identifying IDH-mutation status should be mandatory in order to determine disease prognosis and guide treatment course (AU)

Clásicamente, el astrocitoma difuso (OMS II) se clasificaba como neoplasia de crecimiento lento, afectando a adultos jóvenes y con tendencia para conversión maligna tardía. Reportamos un caso de transformación maligna temprana de astrocitoma difuso de grado bajo 17 meses después de remoción tumoral completa, como glioma intraventricular de grado alto. Un análisis retrospectivo para la presencia de la mutación IDH 1/2 fue negativo. La creciente evidencia demuestra que los astrocitomas IDH-wildtype se comportan de forma más agresiva, así que identificar la mutación IDH debería ser mandatorio para determinar el pronóstico y redireccionar el tratamiento de los astrocitomas (AU)

Fibrotic alterations in human annulus fibrosus correlate with progression of intervertebral disc herniation.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is characterized by annulus fibrosus failure (AF) in containing the nucleus pulposus (NP). IVD herniation involves cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations that have been associated with tissue fibrosis, although still poorly investigated. METHODS: Here, fibrotic alterations in human AF were evaluated, by characterizing the herniated ECM. Human AF samples (herniated lumbar IVD (n = 39, age 24-83) and scoliosis controls (n = 6, age 15-21)) were processed for transmission electron microscopy and histological/immunohistochemical analysis of fibrotic markers. Correlations between the fibrotic markers in AF ECM and the degree of NP containment (protused, contained and uncontained) and patients' age were conducted. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that with herniation progression, i.e. loss of NP containment, human AF presents less stained area of sulphated glycosaminoglycans and collagen I, being collagen I fibres thinner and disorganized. On the other hand, fibronectin stained area and percentage of α-smooth muscle actin+ cells increase in human AF, while matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12) production and percentage of macrophages (CD68+ cells) remain constant. These structural and biochemical fibrotic alterations observed in human AF with herniation progression occur independently of the age. CONCLUSIONS: The characterization of human AF here conducted evidence the presence of fibrosis in degenerated IVD, while highlighting the importance of considering the herniation progression stage, despite the patients' age, for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind AF failure and IVD herniation.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for post-traumatic neuropathic limb pain: Efficacy at five years' follow-up and effective volume of activated brain tissue.

Chronic neuropathic pain affects 7%-10% of the population. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown variable but promising results in its treatment. This study prospectively assessed the long-term effectiveness of DBS in a series of patients with chronic neuropathic pain, correlating clinical results with neuroimaging. Sixteen patients received 5 years' post-surgical follow-up in a single center. Six had phantom limb pain after amputation and 10 had deafferentation pain after traumatic brachial plexus injury. Patient-reported outcome measures were completed before and after surgery, using VAS, UWNPS, BPI and SF-36 scores. Neuroimaging evaluated electrode location and effective volumes of activated tissue (VAT). Two subgroups were created based on the percentage of VAT superimposed upon the ventroposterolateral thalamic nucleus (eVAT), and clinical outcomes were compared. Analgesic effect was assessed at 5 years and compared to preoperative pain, with an improvement on VAS of 76.4% (p=0.0001), on UW-NPS of 35.2% (p=0.3582), on BPI of 65.1% (p=0.0505) and on SF-36 of 5% (p=0.7406). Eight patients with higher eVAT showed improvement on VAS of 67.5% (p=0.0017) while the remaining patients, with lower eVAT, improved by 50.6% (p=0.03607). DBS remained effective in improving chronic neuropathic pain after 5 years. While VPL-targeting contributes to success, analgesia is also obtained by stimulating surrounding posterior ventrobasal thalamic structures and related spinothalamocortical tracts.

Anxiety and depression risk in patients with allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases appear to be associated with mood disorders. However, particularly regarding allergic rhinitis (AR), such association has not been adequately systematically reviewed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the association between AR and depression and anxiety. METHODOLOGY: We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for observational studies assessing the association between AR and depression and anxiety. Such association was quantified by means of random-effects meta-analysis, with estimation of pooled odds ratio (OR). Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis. RESULTS: We included a total of 24 primary studies, of which 23 assessed depression and 11 assessed anxiety. Of these, 12 studies presented OR from multivariable regression models and were included in our meta-analysis. AR was associated with higher odds of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: AR appears to be associated with high risk of depression and anxiety. While our results point to the importance of mental comorbidities among patients with AR, longitudinal studies are needed adopting uniform definitions and presenting results stratified by AR severity.

Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens Reared on two Different Litter Materials and at two Stocking Densities.

1. This study evaluated the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens reared on two litter materials and at two stocking densities.2. The chicks were allotted in a completely randomised design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two litter materials (wood shavings or rice straw) and two stocking densities (24 or 30 kg/m2), with six replicates per treatment. Broiler performance, carcase yield, prime cuts, blood plasma proteins, the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, edible viscera, immune organs, intestine weight and length, abdominal fat, breast meat colour, pH, weight loss by defrosting, weight loss by cooking and shear force were evaluated.3. The density of 24 kg/m2 positively influenced feed consumption and weight gain. The type of litter had a positive influence on feed conversion, with a lower value for birds raised on wood shavings.4. Breast production was improved in birds reared at a density of 24 kg/m2 when compared to birds reared at a density of 30 kg/m2. The rice straw bedding negatively affected abdominal fat (resulting in higher percentages) when compared to birds reared on wood shavings.5. The types of litter affected the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase in birds raised on wood shavings, although these values were not increased to the point of influence on the physiological functions of broilers.6. The colour of the breast meat, pH, temperature, weight loss after thawing or cooking, shear force, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, total proteins, glucose or alanine aminotransferase content were not influenced by the stocking densities or bedding.7. The use of wood shavings as poultry bedding at a stocking density of 24 kg/m2resulted in the best performance for broiler chickens at 42 days of age.

Performance of calves born in different periods of the calving season in intensive beef cattle farming / [Desempenho em pecuária de corte intensiva de progênies nascidas em diferentes períodos da estação de parição]

The objective of this study was to evaluate, for two years, the performance of 124 female and 105 male Braford calves born during the first and second halves of the same calving season and the effects of birth period on the development of males until slaughter, as yearlings, and of females until calving, after having mated at 13-15 months of age. Early-born females were heavier than those born late at weaning (119.3 vs 109.9kg; P<0.05), at the start of the breeding season (275.0 vs 263.0kg; P<0.05), and at the end of the breeding season (300.0 vs 289.5kg; P<0.05), in addition to being more fertile (70 vs 50% pregnancy rate). There was no difference (P>0.05) in the development of males born early in relation to those born late, except for weaning weight, which was higher in the former. Steers born early were ready for slaughter at a younger age (459.6 vs 490.1 days; P<0.05), and both groups (early- and late-born) had a body condition classified as fat (4.21 points). In intensive production systems, both male and female calves perform better if they are born during the first half of the calving season.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, por dois anos, o desempenho de 124 bezerras e 105 bezerros Braford nascidos durante a primeira e segunda metades da mesma estação, bem como os efeitos do período de nascimento no desenvolvimento dos machos até o abate e das fêmeas até o primeiro parto, após serem acasalados entre 13/15 meses de idade. As fêmeas nascidas precocemente foram mais pesadas do que as nascidas tardiamente ao desmame quando bezerras (119,3 vs. 109,9kg; P<0,05), no início da estação reprodutiva (275,0 vs. 263,0kg; P<0,05) e no final da estação reprodutiva (300,0 vs. 289,5kg; P<0,05), além de terem maior fertilidade (taxa de prenhez 70 vs. 50%). Não houve diferença (P>0,05) no desenvolvimento de bezerros nascidos precocemente em relação aos nascidos mais tardiamente, exceto no peso ao desmame, com superioridade dos primeiros. Os novilhos nascidos mais cedo ficaram prontos para o abate à idade mais jovem (459,6 vs. 490,1 dias; P<0,05), e ambos os grupos (nascidos precoce e tardiamente) tinham uma condição corporal classificada como gordura (4,21 pontos). Em sistemas de produção intensiva, os bezerros machos e fêmeas nascidos precocemente, na primeira metade da estação de parição, possuem melhor desempenho.(AU)

Sex determination in a Brazilian sample from cranial morphometric parameters - a preliminary study.

Sex determination, which is based on the existence of dimorphism between specimens of the same species, plays an important role in the process of human identification. In the absence of pelvic elements, the skull appears to be the best sex indicator, and can also be submitted to quantitative or metric assessments. Eleven measurements were taken for this study, four in the sagittal plane and seven in the horizontal, in two groups of 186 skulls each, with 101 from males and 85 from females for those of the sagittal plane, and 100 and 86, respectively, for those concerning the horizontal, of subjects aged between 18 and 94 years at the time of death. The sample belongs to the Osteological and Tomographic Biobank Professor Doctor Eduardo Daruge of the Piracicaba Dental School of the University of Campinas. The aim of this research was to establish a reliable method to determine sex and elaborate mathematical prototypes capable of assisting in investigation or identification activities, in a preliminary study. Of the measures implemented (Lambda-Nasion, Lambda-Rhinion, Lambda-Nasospinale, Rhinion-Nasospinale, Zygomaxillare-Zygomaxillare, Lambda-Incisive Foramen, Lambda-Right Zygomaxillare, Lambda-Left Zygomaxillare, Basion-Incisive Foramen, Basion-Right Zygomaxillare and Basion-Left Zygomaxillare), only the Lambda-Nasospinale and Rhinion-Nasospinale in the sagittal plane, and the Zygomaxillare-Zygomaxillare and Lambda-Incisive Foramen in the horizontal plane, were significantly dimorphic. Two predictive mathematical models of sex were conceived for each pair of them: one of logistic regression and another of conditional inference trees, displaying accuracy rates of 78.5% and 77.42%, and of 68.28% and 72.04%, respectively. The authors concluded that there is the possibility to apply the aforementioned data in forensic anthropology as an auxiliary tool in investigation or identification tasks.

Some similarity solutions for three-dimensional boundary layers.

A similarity solution of a three-dimensional boundary layer is investigated. The outer flow is given by U = ( - xz, - yz, z 2), corresponding to an axisymmetric poloidal circulation with constant potential vorticity. This flow is an exact solution of the Navier-Stokes. A wall is introduced at y = 0 along which a boundary layer develops towards x = 0. We show that a similarity reduction to a system of ODEs is possible. Two distinct solutions are found, one of them through numerical path-continuation, and their stability is investigated. A second three-dimensional solution is also identified for two-dimensional outer flow. The solutions are generalized for outer flows scaling with different powers of z and similar results are found. This behaviour is related to the non-uniqueness of the Falkner-Skan flows in a three-dimensional sense, with a transverse wall-jet.

Produção e conforto térmico de bovinos da raça Nelore terminados em sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária / Production and thermal comfort of Nellore beef cattle finished in integrated crop-livestock systems

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a pastagem, o desempenho, o conforto térmico e os parâmetros hematológicos de bovinos Nelore na fase de terminação em sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária com duas densidades de árvores (ILPF-1L= 196 árvores ha-1 e ILPF-3L=448 árvores ha-1) e em pleno sol (ILP). Foram avaliados a massa e a composição morfológica da forragem, o ganho médio diário, o ganho de peso por área e a taxa de lotação no verão e no outono, bem como as variáveis climáticas dos sistemas em três horários e parâmetros hematológicos dos animais (n=60). A massa de forragem foi superior no tratamento ILP e no verão (P<0,05). Porém, a redução da massa de forragem nos sistemas ILPFs não interferiu no desempenho dos animais (P>0,05). A temperatura ambiente, a temperatura do globo e o índice de temperatura e umidade foram melhores nos tratamentos com sombreamento e no período da manhã, proporcionando maior conforto aos animais, sendo ainda confirmado pelo menor volume globular dos bovinos em ILP (P<0,05). Conclui-se que os sistemas com componente arbóreo diminuem a massa de forragem, mas essa redução não altera o desempenho dos animais na fase de terminação. Além disso, os sistemas ILPFs melhoram o conforto térmico, entretanto essa melhora não foi suficiente para favorecer o desempenho.(AU)

The objective of this work was to evaluate pasture, performace, thermal comfort, and haematological parameters of Nellore cattle in the finishing phase in integrated crop-livestock systems with two tree densities (ICLF-1L= 196 ha -1 trees and ICLF-3L= 448 ha -1 trees) and in full sun (ICL). The forage mass morphological composition of the pasture average daily gain, weight gain per area, stocking rate of the animals were evaluated in summer and autumn, and the climatic variables of systems we evaluated at three different times, and haematological parameters of the animals (n= 60). The forage mass was higher in the ICL treatment and summer (P<0.05). However, the reduction of the forage mass in the ILPFs systems did not interfere with the performance of the animals (P>0.05). Ambient temperature, globe temperature and temperature and humidity index were better in shade treatments and in the morning, providing greater comfort to the animals, and was also confirmed by the lower globular volume of the bovines in ICL (P<0.05). It is concluded that the systems with trees reduce the forage mass but this reduction does not alter the animals' performance in the finishing phase. In addition, ICLFs improve the thermal comfort of the animals, however, this improvement was not enough to favor their performance.(AU)

Long-term survival after glioblastoma resection: hope despite poor prognosis factors.

BACKGROUND: In spite of aggressive multimodal treatment, survival for patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains short. Nevertheless, some patients survive much longer than expected and become long-term survival patients. The extent of resection (EoR), Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), age and methyl-guanine methyltransferase gene (MGMT) methylation are well-defined prognostic factors, but the characteristics of patients with long-term survival (LTS, survival of at least three years after diagnosis) has not been fully determined yet. That is the reason why we analyzed the GBM patients with LTS at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients who underwent surgery for GBM between January 2002 and November 2011, including patients treated with surgical resection under neuronavigation with or without intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) and those who had stereotactic biopsy. We identified and further analyzed those patients with LTS. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients underwent surgery for GBM during the study period. 101 (79.6%) of whom had surgical resection and 26 (20.4%) of whom had stereotactic biopsy. Of the 101 patients who were treated with surgical resection, 12 had LTS. After two other pathologists reviewed the patients' cases, they confirmed that 11 (11%) of the 12 patients had a GBM (female/male ratio 4.5; average age 50 years; preoperative Karnofsky Score 82%), and one patient had an anaplastic glioma. The mean survival in the LTS patients with confirmed GBM was 74 (36-150) months. Seven of the LTS patients (63.6%) had a gross total resection (GTR), including two with an additional resection after ioMRI. Three (27.3%) had a near total resection (NTR: residue ≤5%) and one (9.1%) had a partial resection. Ten (90.9%) patients had a methylation of MGMT, only two (18.8%) had an IDH1 mutation, and seven (63.6%) received a full Stupp protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with a GBM who were treated with one or more resections, 11% had LTS with 90.9% with at least a near total resection (36% with ioMRI) and a methylated MGMT. 50% of the patients with a second surgery survived at least two years postoperatively. Those encouraging observations emphasize the importance of maximizing the resection by using, if possible, an intraoperative guidance method like ioMRI with an analysis of biomarkers such as MGMT and if necessary, multiple surgical procedures.

Novel KIAA0753 mutations extend the phenotype of skeletal ciliopathies.

The skeletal ciliopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders with a significant clinical and genetic variability and the main clinical features are thoracic hypoplasia and short tubular bones. To date, 25 genes have been identified in association with skeletal ciliopathies. Mutations in the KIAA0753 gene have recently been associated with Joubert syndrome (JBTS) and orofaciodigital (OFD) syndrome. We report biallelic pathogenic variants in KIAA0753 in four patients with short-rib type skeletal dysplasia. The manifestations in our patients are variable and ranging from fetal lethal to viable and moderate skeletal dysplasia with narrow thorax and abnormal metaphyses. We demonstrate that KIAA0753 is expressed in normal fetal human growth plate and show that the affected fetus, with a compound heterozygous frameshift and a nonsense mutation in KIAA0753, has an abnormal proliferative zone and a broad hypertrophic zone. The importance of KIAA0753 for normal skeletal development is further confirmed by our findings that zebrafish embryos homozygous for a nonsense mutation in kiaa0753 display altered cartilage patterning.

Plant lectins ConBr and CFL modulate expression toll-like receptors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce the bacterial burden in macrophages infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

BACKGROUND: Plant lectins have long been used in biomedical research as immunomodulators against tumor cells and microbial infections. PURPOSE: To test the ability of plant lectins ConBr (Canavalia brasiliensis) and CFL (Cratylia argentea) to activate antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of murine peritoneal macrophages (pMØ) infected with a virulent strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm). METHODS: We incubated pMØ with non-toxic amounts of ConBr and CFL either before (preventive schedule) or after (curative schedule) exposure to STm. RESULTS: In uninfected pMØ, ConBr and CFL greatly increased levels of mRNA transcripts for IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs), but not IL-10 and IL-12. Exposure to naïve splenocytes of culture supernatants of pMØ previously stimulated with CFL resulted in expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Both preventive and curative treatment schedules significantly reduced the intracellular load of Salmonella. Experiments in infected macrophages exposed to lectins in the preventive schedule showed that mRNA transcripts for IL-6 and TNF-α were increased by CFL, whereas ConBr enhanced IL-12 (subunit p40). In the curative schedule, CFL induced significant expression of IL-12 (p40) whereas ConBr enhanced expression IL-1ß and TNF-α genes. The lectin treatments did not influence on iNOs expression in pMØ infected with STm C5 regardless of the treatment schedule. Curative treatments with CFL increased approximately 130-fold expression of TLR-4 whist expression of TLR-9 was increased by treatments with ConBr. CONCLUSION: We conclude that lectins ConBr and CFL have immunomodulatory properties that are beneficial on control of cells infected by Salmonella.

Amendoim forrageiro manejado com baixos resíduos de pastejo por ovinos / Perennial peanut handled with low grazing waste by sheep

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o comportamento produtivo do amendoim forrageiro (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) sob diferentes intensidades de pastejo por ovinos em ambiente rotativo. Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro intensidades de pastejo (muito leniente - ML, leniente - L, moderado - M e severo - S) representadas pelas alturas de resíduo de 11,2; 8,4; 5,9 e 3,2cm, que foram alocadas segundo um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As variáveis estudadas no pré e no pós-pastejo foram: massa de forragem, percentual de folhas e caules e índice de área foliar. Ao final do experimento, foi calculada a massa de forragem total acumulada, a taxa de acúmulo e a massa de forragem desaparecida. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de comparação de médias de Tukey (P< 0,05). Foi verificado que a intensidade de pastejo modifica a composição dos componentes morfológicos e a massa de forragem acumulada pelo amendoim forrageiro, todavia o índice de área foliar no pré-pastejo não é alterado. O amendoim forrageiro não deve ser utilizado sob pastejo intenso. Intensidades de pastejo de moderada a muito leniente proporcionam maior massa de forragem pré-pastejo e total acumulada, associada a menores intervalos entre pastejos.(AU)

This research aimed to study the productive behavior of perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) under different grazing intensities by sheep in a rotation environment. The treatments consisted of four grazing intensity levels (very lenient - VL, lenient - L, moderate - M, and severe - S) represented by the residues 11.2; 8.4; 5.9 and 3.2cm, and allocated randomly with four replications. The variables studied in the pre-grazing and post-grazing were: forage mass, percentage of leaves and stems and leaf area index. At the end of the experiment, total accumulated forage mass, accumulation rate, and mass of missing forage were calculated. The data was submitted to a variance analysis and comparison to a Tukey's test, with a 5% significance level. Grazing intensity was found to modify the composition of morphological components and the forage mass accumulated by peanuts; however, the leaf area index in pre-grazing remained constant. Perennial peanut should not be used under intensive grazing. Grazing intensity from moderate to very lenient provides greater mass of pre-grazing forage and total accumulated forage, combined with shorter intervals between grazing.(AU)

Genetic models for breed quality and navel development scores and its associations with growth traits in beef cattle.

Estimation and prediction ability of linear and threshold models for yearling breed quality score (BQ) and navel development score at weaning (WN) and yearling (YN), considering variances, heritabilities, and rank correlations based on the breeding values predicted for bulls, were compared. Furthermore, it was determined whether BQ, WN, and YN are genetically associated with growth traits (BWG: birth to weaning weight gain, WH: weaning height, WYG: weaning to yearling weight gain, YH: yearling height) to field data of Nelore cattle. For BQ, similar heritabilities were estimated using linear (0.14 ± 0.01) and threshold (0.15 ± 0.02) models. For navel development scores, higher heritability was estimated with threshold (WN 0.22 ± 0.03; YN 0.42 ± 0.03) rather than linear (WN 0.16 ± 0.01; YN 0.29 ± 0.01) models. Rank correlations between sires breeding values predicted for visual scores with linear and threshold models ranging from 0.53 to 0.98, indicating that different sires would be selected using these models, mainly for higher selection intensities. The BQ showed little genetic variability and was not associated with WH and YH. However, low and positive genetic correlations were obtained between BQ with BWG (0.27 ± 0.02) and WYG (0.25 ± 0.02). In general, they are expected low genetic gains for BQ as correlated response to selection based on any of the growth traits studied. The WN showed higher genetic correlation with BWG (0.63 ± 0.02) and WH (0.53 ± 0.02) rather than WYG (-0.06 ± 0.02) and YH (0.26 ± 0.02), indicating that selection for increased growth at weaning (height and weight gain) should lead to longer and most pendulous navels at this age. Weak genetic correlations were obtained between yearling navel and growth traits.

Profiling the immunity status of children with non-polio acute flaccid paralysis who had not received any doses of oral polio vaccine in the South-South region, Nigeria 2011-2014.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the immunity status of children with non-polio acute flaccid paralysis (NP AFP) reported through the AFP surveillance system in the South-South region of Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted using AFP surveillance data collected routinely between January 2011 and December 2014 by the Disease Surveillance Department of the regional health service and the World Health Organization (WHO)-accredited regional reference polio laboratory. All cases of AFP reported to the Disease Surveillance Network from all six zones during this period were included in the study. METHODS: In total, 5111 cases of AFP in children aged ≤15 years were reported between 2011 and 2014. These cases were investigated and verified by WHO surveillance officers using a standard questionnaire, which captured the number of doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) received by the child. Two stool samples were collected for each case, 24-48 h apart, within 14 days of the onset of paralysis, and transported to the national polio laboratory under reverse cold chain storage. Data retrieved were stored in an AFP database hosted by the WHO server. EPIINFO software was used to query the database and extract the information required for analysis in this study. RESULTS: The percentage of children who had received at least three doses of OPV (which serves as a threshold to measure immunity status) decreased from 87% in 2011 to 82% in 2014. The percentage of children who had not received any doses of OPV decreased from 2% in 2011 to 1% in 2014. Forty-eight percent of the children who had not received any doses of OPV were aged <1 year. CONCLUSION: Given the decrease in OPV immunity status, the region risks re-introduction of poliovirus. Swift steps should be taken to improve the immunization coverage, which would boost immunity status in Nigeria.

Development of UV cross-linked gelatin coated electrospun poly(caprolactone) fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among industrialized countries. Vascular grafts are often required for the surgical treatments. Considering the limitations associated with the use of autografts and with the currently available synthetic materials, a growing demand in tissue engineered vascular grafts has been registered. During the work here described, electrospinning technique was used to prepared fibrous matrices to be applied as vascular implants. For that purpose, electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibrous mats were produced and afterwards coated with different hydrogel formulations based in photocrosslinkable gelatin (GelMA) and the macromers poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (PEGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). These were further photocrosslinked under UV irradiation using Irgacure® 2959 (by BASF) as the photoinitiator. The suitability of the coated scaffolds for the intended application, was evaluated by assessing their chemical/physical properties as well as their interaction with blood and endothelial cells.

Principal component analysis of breeding values for growth and reproductive traits and genetic association with adult size in beef cattle.

Principal component analysis was applied to evaluate the variability and relationships among univariate breeding values predicted for 9 weaning and yearling traits, as well as suggest functions of the traits that would promote a particular breeding objective. Phenotypic and pedigree information from 600,132 Nelore animals was used. Genetic parameters and breeding values were obtained from univariate analyses of birth to weaning weight gain; weaning to yearling weight gain; conformation, finishing precocity, and muscling scores at weaning and at yearling; and yearling scrotal circumference. The principal component mainly associated with maturity (precocious vs. late animals) was used as a pseudophenotype in bivariate analyses with either adult weight or adult height of cows. Direct heritability estimates ranging from 0.19 ± 0.01 to 0.41 ± 0.01 indicate that these 9 traits are all heritable to varying degrees. Correlations between the breeding values for the various traits ranged from 0.14 to 0.88. Principal component analysis was performed on the standardized breeding values. The first 3 principal components attained the Kaiser criterion, retaining 48.06%, 18.03%, and 12.97% of the total breeding value variance, respectively. The first component was characterized by positive coefficients for all traits. The second component contrasted weaning traits with yearling traits. The third component represented a contrast between late maturity animals (better for weight gain and conformation) and early maturity animals (better for finishing precocity, muscling, and scrotal circumference). Thus, the first 3 components represent 3 different potential selection criteria. Selecting for the first principal component would identify animals with positive breeding values for all studied traits. The second principal component may be used to identify animals with higher or lower maturation rates (precocity). Animals with negative values in the third principal component are regarded as early maturing. Genetic correlations between maturity (third principal component) with adult weight and adult height were 0.19 ± 0.02 and 0.32 ± 0.02, respectively. These results showed that the weaning and yearling bovine maturity is genetically associated with the adult size of the cows used in reproduction.

Highly sensitive and simple SERS substrate based on photochemically generated carbon nanotubes-gold nanorods hybrids.

We report a simple and easy formation of hybrids between multi-wall carbon nanotubes and gold nanorods by one-pot in situ photochemical synthesis. Measurements of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) through the effect "coffee ring" in visible and near infrared (NIR) show high sensitivity with detection of nanomolar concentrations of aromatic dyes. The formation of nanocomposites between carbon nanotubes and gold nanorods without chemical binders simplifies the preparation. Photochemical synthesis is an advance over the techniques previously published.