Sexual behavior and seminal characteristics of fertile mature New Zealand White male rabbits of different body weights.

Body weight in different mammalian species influences reproductive potential. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of body weight at the time of semen collection with libido, seminal characteristics and number of semen doses for artificial insemination (AI) in New Zealand White mature fertile male rabbits. Data came from 728 semen collections of 14 rabbits, 15-months of age that were sexually experienced with proven semen quality and fertility. Semen collection was performed twice a week with two ejaculates at each collection time and lasted 14 weeks. A second ejaculation was collected at 1-2h after the first. Data from each male from first and second ejaculates from 1 day of semen collection throughout the trial were averaged (n=324) and partial correlation coefficients and regression equations were estimated to describe the relationship of male body weight to ejaculation reaction time and 12 semen and sperm characteristics. As body weight increased there was a linear (P<0.05) increase in reaction time, abnormal sperm with an intact membrane and abnormal sperm with a damaged membrane and a linear (P<0.05) decrease in semen volume, sperm concentration per ejaculate, normal sperm with an intact membrane, number of normal motile sperm with an intact membrane and suitable semen doses for AI. Body weight of the mature male rabbit at semen collection had some influence on libido, semen and sperm characteristics, with a general trend toward a lesser reproduction potential as body weight increases.

Implementation of quality systems by Mexican exporters of processed meat.

Requirements of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) are becoming essential for international trade in food commodities as a safety assurance component. This research reports the level of the adoption of ISO 9000 and the HACCP system by Federal Inspection Type (TIF) pork-exporting enterprises. Implementation and operating costs are reported as well as the benefits involved in this food industry process. In Mexico, there are 97 companies classified as TIF enterprises, and 22 are registered as exporters of processed pork with the National Services for Safety and Quality and Animal Health of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food. Surveys were administered to 22 companies, with a 95.2% response rate. Enterprise characteristics were evaluated, as well as their operating activities. Fieldwork consisted of administering structured questionnaires to TIF exporters. All the surveyed enterprises had implemented HACCP, whereas the ISO 9000 regulation was applied in only 30%. Of total production, 75% is exported to 13 countries, and 25% goes to the Mexican market niche. Results indicate that the main factors for adopting HACCP are related to accessibility to international markets, improving quality, and reducing product quality audits by customers. The results also indicated that staff training was the most important issue. Microbiological testing was the highest cost of the operation. The main benefits reported were related to better access to international markets and a considerable reduction in microbial counts. This study shows the willingness of Mexican pork processors to implement food safety protocols for producing safe and quality products to compete in the international food trade.

Interleukin-6 as a predictor of cardiovascular events in troponin-negative non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome patients.

AIM: Risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation (NSTE-ACS) and troponin-negative remains a challenge. We evaluated the value of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the prognosis assessment of low-moderate risk NSTE-ACS and troponin-negative, and whether these biomarkers could improve the predictive performance of the established thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score. METHODS: A total of 212 low-moderate risk patients with NSTE-ACS and troponin-negative were prospectively studied. Clinical follow up at 6 months was performed for adverse endpoints. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients (13.5%) presented adverse clinical events. Those with adverse clinical events were associated with higher levels of IL-6 [8.58 (5.13-20.95) ng/l vs. 6.12 (4.16-9.14) ng/l, p = 0.043] and NT-proBNP [275.3 (108.6-548.2) ng/l vs. 126.8 (55.97-430.20) ng/l, p = 0.046]. In moderate risk group, we observed a higher event rate in patients with troponin-negative but elevated levels of IL-6 (p = 0.024). Only elevated IL-6 (> 12.40 ng/l) was an independent predictor of adverse outcomes [hazard ratios: 3.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69-7.75, p = 0.001]. The addition of IL-6 and history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) to TIMI risk score significantly improved both the discrimination (integrated discrimination improvement, p = 0.003) and reclassification (Clinical Net reclassification improvement, p = 0.010) of the model for adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-6 is an independent predictor of adverse events in low-moderate risk patients with NSTE-ACS and troponin-negative. Its use identifies a higher risk population in moderate-risk patients. This provides together with history of IHD a better discrimination and reclassification beyond that achieved with clinical risk variables from TIMI risk score in these patients.

Soluble TNFα receptor type I and hepcidin as determinants of development of anemia in the long-term follow-up of heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is associated with a worse prognosis. This study aims to identify the biological mechanisms which reflect evolutionary changes in the hemoglobin concentrations in heart failure patients who are still not anaemic. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (54 ± 14 years, 83% males) with CHF (LVEF 28 ± 10%), who did not have anemia, and had not received any previous transfusions, were included. The parameters studied were: iron metabolism (ferritin, iron, transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin); inflammation (C-reactive protein, soluble TNFα receptor I (sTNFRI), interleukin 6); and myocardial stress (NT-proBNP, high sensitivity TnT, growth differentiation factor 15). All parameters were measured on inclusion and 1 year after inclusion. RESULTS: Baseline hemoglobin (g/dL) was 14.7 ± 1.5 and at 1 year of follow-up it showed a significant decrease of -0.4 (RIC: -0.7 to -0.06) (p=0.02). At baseline, only the sTNFRI was a predictor of a decrease in hemoglobin 1 year later (p=0.007). During follow-up, the increase in sTNFRI (p=0.002, r=-0.39) and hepcidin (p=0.006, r=-0.35) were both associated with a decrease in hemoglobin. Similarly, the patients who became anemic (13%) had higher levels of hepcidin (p=0.001) and sTNFRI (p=0.008). The remaining parameters did not show any relationship with the evolution in the hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: In CHF patients without anemia, the increase in the inflammatory state (sTNFRI) and the following deterioration in the iron metabolism (hepcidin) were the main determinants of a decrease in hemoglobin and the appearance of anemia in the long term follow-up period.

Rabbit sexual behavior, semen and sperm characteristics when supplemented with sprouted wheat.

The sprouted wheat (SW) contains the 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (6-MBOA), a phenol compound that stimulates reproduction in certain small wild herbivorous mammals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of short-term supplemental dietary SW on libido, semen and sperm characteristics of rabbit bucks. Five-month old New Zealand White pubertal rabbits (n=18) were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: supplementation or not (control) supplemented with SW. The experimental design was completely random with nine replications, experimental unit was one buck. Semen collection for each male was conducted once a week with two ejaculations during 20 weeks. The SW was given during four consecutive days prior to each semen collection. Analysis of variance was under a mixed model: treatment, ejaculate number and season were fixed and rabbit random effects. There was no effect of treatment (P>0.05) on reaction time, gel presence, volume, pH, sperm motility, sperm number per ml and sperm number per ejaculate. The percentage of normal alive spermatozoa was 13.5% greater in SW-supplemented bucks than in the control and the percentage of abnormal alive spermatozoa was 44.1% greater in the control than in the SW-supplemented bucks. The morphology of dead spermatozoa, integrity of acrosome, number of normal alive motile sperm and semen doses per ejaculate were not influenced (P>0.05) by SW supplementation. The proportion of presence of gel and semen volume in the first ejaculate was greater than the second ejaculate (+140% and +56.4%). However, the semen quality in the latter was greater (P=0.0001) than the former in terms of an increase in motility (+29.7%). Reproductive traits were more desirable (P<0.05) in winter than autumn. Dietary wilted SW as a source of biological 6-MBOA enhanced sperm characteristics in terms of a greater percentage of normal alive and lesser percentage of abnormal alive spermatozoa but did not affect the number of normal motile live sperm and suitable semen doses in rabbit bucks in autumn and winter.

Controlled doe exposure as biostimulation of buck rabbits.

Female exposure of males could be a low-cost biostimulation option that benefits AI in commercial rabbit operations by improving buck rabbits reproductive performance. The objective of the study was to evaluate exposure of buck rabbits to females as a biostimulation option to improve reproductive potential. Treatments were: exposure (biostimulated) or not (control) of bucks to does. Bucks were New Zealand White, 15-month-old, sexually experienced and fertile. Experimental design was completely random with nine replications, experimental unit was one buck. Doe exposure was permanent using replacement pubertal does housed in an adjacent wire-mesh cage and changed for new ones every other week. Semen collection lasted 14 weeks (late winter and early spring) twice a week with two ejaculates at each collection. Analyses of variance were under a mixed model: treatments, ejaculate number and season were fixed and rabbit random effects and buck weight at each collection as covariable. Biostimulated bucks showed greater (P<0.05) reproductive potential due to: 7% lesser reaction time (greater libido); and increased semen volume (40%), sperm motility (29%), sperm per ejaculate (31%), normal alive motile sperm (65%) and number of semen doses (64%). Semen characteristics differed by season in control bucks but not in doe exposed bucks (treatment × ejaculate number, P<0.05). Reproductive potential in spring was greater (P<0.05) than in winter in both treatments. Doe exposure is a biostimulation method that improves sexual drive and sperm production and quality of buck rabbits.

[Spontaneous infectious spondylodiscitis in an internal medicine department: epidemiological and clinical study in 41 cases]. / Espondilodiscitis infecciosa espontánea en un servicio de medicina interna: estudio epidemiológico y clínico de 41 casos.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients who were diagnosed of spontaneous infectious spondylodiscitis (SIS) in our Internal Medicine Department are analyzed and the related factors associated with the increase of the incidence are evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective study of patients diagnosed of SIS from 1996 to 2005 was conducted. The study was divided in two periods: A (1996-2000) and B (2001-2005) and two main etiologic groups (pyogenic SIS and mycobacterial SIS) were compared. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were diagnosed of SIS: 13 (31.7%) in period A and 28 (68.3%) in period B. Mean age was 58.5 +/- 17.6 years (range: 29-89). There were 73.2% men and all women presented in period B (0 vs 11, p = 0.008). Backgrounds were: 28 (68.3%) predisposing factors for SIS, 22 (53.6%), previous infections and 23 (56.1%) spinal diseases. There were not changes in the backgrounds during the study. The etiology of SIS was: 26 (63.4%) pyogenic, 12 (29.3%) mycobacterial and 3 (7.3%) brucellar. Patients with pyogenic SIS were older (63.6 +/- 3.2 vs 51.2 +/- 5.1 years, p = 0.035) and had less from onset of symptoms to diagnosis (62 +/- 12 vs 291 +/- 66 days, p = 0.0001) than patients with mycobacterial SIS. Total incidence of SIS and incidence of pyogenic SIS increased significantly during the study: (1.7/1000 admissions/year, p = 0.0057) and (1/1000 admissions/year, p = 0.0476). In the multivariate analysis, time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was the only variable independently associated with the pyogenic etiological group (OR: 0.985, 95% CI: 0.975, 0.996, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the increasing incidence of SIS was related to an increase in pyogenic SIS incidence. Although older age and some backgrounds could be orientative of SIS etiology, these factors did not increase during the study.

Influence of supplemental dietary sprouted wheat on reproduction in artificially inseminated doe rabbits.

The sprouted wheat contains great amounts of 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone (6-MBOA) a phenol compound that stimulates reproduction in certain small wild herbivorous mammals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary sprouted wheat as supplement on reproduction in artificially inseminated doe rabbits. Two-month-old New Zealand White doe rabbits (n = 48) were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: (1) pelleted diet plus sprouted wheat for 6 consecutive days prior to service, (2) pelleted diet only (control). First insemination occurred when does reach 3200g body weight and bred 6 days after parturition across 6 months period during summer and autumn. Records from 41 does completing the experiment accounted for 192 inseminations and 142 kindlings equivalent to 4.6 +/- 0.15 and 3.5 +/- 0.15 litters per doe, respectively. Mean daily intake of sprouted wheat on wet and dry matter bases were 196.1 +/- 7.5 and 75.4 +/- 2.9g, respectively. The number of young born produced per doe during the trail was significantly (P = 0.02) greater in does fed sprouted wheat (28.1 +/- 1.2 versus 23.6 +/ -1.3 control). Does fed sprouted wheat had 0.65 +/- 0.06 receptivity rate at AI over 28 per cent greater (P = 0.001) than does in the control treatment. Sexual receptivity was not influenced by physiological status of does and season (P > 0.05). Diet and season had no effect (P>0.05) on kindling rate. However, physiological status had an effect (P = 0.002) on this variable. Kindling rates for nulliparous, lactating and non-lactating does were 0.95 +/- 0.08, 0.63 +/- 0.04 and 0.78 +/ -0.11, respectively. Sexually receptive does had a greater (P = 0.0001) kindling rate (0.95 +/- 0.05) than non-receptive females (0.63 +/-0.05). Does fed sprouted wheat produced larger (P = 0.02) litters than those in the control group: 7.7 +/- 0.30 and 6.8 +/- 0.32, respectively. There was an effect of season (P = 0.04) on the size of the litter at birth. Largest litters were born during autumn (7.9 +/- 0.37) than during summer (6.6 +/- 0.41). Receptive does had more (P = 0.002) young in the litter (7.9 +/- 0.28) than non-receptive (6.6 +/- 0.35). Feeding sprouted wheat as a source of biological 6-MBOA enhanced sexual receptivity and prolificacy in artificially inseminated doe rabbits bred in summer and autumn.

Novel light-regulated genes in Trichoderma atroviride: a dissection by cDNA microarrays.

The influence of light on living organisms is critical, not only because of its importance as the main source of energy for the biosphere, but also due to its capacity to induce changes in the behaviour and morphology of nearly all forms of life. The common soil fungus Trichoderma atroviride responds to blue light in a synchronized manner, in time and space, by forming a ring of green conidia at what had been the colony perimeter at the time of exposure (photoconidiation). A putative complex formed by the BLR-1 and BLR-2 proteins in T. atroviride appears to play an essential role as a sensor and transcriptional regulator in photoconidiation. Expression analyses using microarrays containing 1438 unigenes were carried out in order to identify early light response genes. It was found that 2.8 % of the genes were light responsive: 2 % induced and 0.8 % repressed. Expression analysis in blr deletion mutants allowed the demonstration of the occurrence of two types of light responses, a blr-independent response in addition to the expected blr-dependent one, as well as a new role of the BLR proteins in repression of transcription. Exposure of T. atroviride to continuous light helped to establish that the light-responsive genes are subject to photoadaptation. Finally, evidence is provided of red-light-regulated gene expression and a possible crosstalk between the blue and red light signalling pathways.

[The use of a simple algorithm to improve proteinuria diagnosis in clinical laboratories]. / Implantación en el laboratorio de un algoritmo para el diagnóstico diferencial de la proteinuria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: When proteinuria appears, a differential diagnosis must determine its origin. The object of this work has been to evaluate the results after the laboratory implantation of an algorithm for the screening and diagnosis of proteinuria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a total of 30,718 processed urines, a 30 mg/dl or higher protein concentration was obtained in 639, recommending a new sample to confirm and differentiate proteinuria. We received 207, to which total protein, creatinine, albumin and alpha-1-microglobulin were quantified, together with pseudoperoxidase and leukocyte esterase from dipstick. The results were introduced in an expert system (UPES and its application Protis), allowing differentiate hematuria, leukocyturia and proteinuria and suggesting the assessment of other parameters, like IgG, alpha-2-macroglobulin, light chain kappa/lambda, when necessary. RESULTS: From 207 urinalysis assayed for selective proteinuria, 39 were normal, 96 were classified as primary glomerulopathy, 26 as secondary glomerulopathy and 5 as tubulo-interstitial nephropathy. A differential diagnosis of hematuria was made in 58 of these urines. Besides, kappa light chains were detected in a sample from a patient with a normal serum protein graph, which were confirmed by immune fixation. CONCLUSION: With the proposed algorithm, the information obtained from a urine sample increases substantially, allowing detection and differentiation of proteinuria and providing suggestions for the clinical evaluation of the patient.

Evaluación de un método de ultracentrifugación en gradiente de densidad para la cuantificación de colesterol y triglicéridos en las lipoproteínas HDL, LDL y VLDL / Quantification of cholesterol and triglycerides in HDL, LDL and VLDL lipoproteins using a density gradient ultracentrifugation method

OBJETIVO: Adaptación de un método de ultracentrifugaciónen gradiente de densidad isopícnico para la separación analíticade de las tres principales lipoproteínas de interés clínico.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se procesaron 337 muestras, enuna ultracentrífuga Beckman L-80 con un rotor Vti 65.2, a416.000g durante 55 minutos a 10ºC. Los tubos de ultracentrifugación(5.1ml), se prepararon introduciendo 1ml de suero,previamente ajustado a una densidad de 1.210 Kg/l con BrK, yse rellenaron con una solución de BrK de densidad 1.006Kg/l.RESULTADOS: La fracción de HDL se recogió en los primeros1.7 ml, la de LDL en los siguientes 2.5 ml y la de VLDL enlos últimos 0.9 ml del volumen total. Los CV intraensayo oscilaronentre 0.71 y 11.41% y los CV interensayo entre 1.53 y11.11%. Los coeficientes de correlación fluctuaron entre0.707 y 0.982.CONCLUSIONES: El método de ultracentrifugación en gradientede densidad isopícnico propuesto es sencillo y fiable,permite separar las tres principales lipoproteínas (HDL, LDL yVLDL) y cuantificar independientemente en cada una de ellascolesterol y triglicéridos, en un único paso, en sólo 55 minutosy con un volumen de muestra mínimo (1ml). Lo consideramosun método útil cuando los métodos directos no son suficientementeexactos y cuando se necesita cuantificar los triglicéridos

OBJECTIVE, Adaptation of the ultracentrifugation metodologyin isopicnic density gradient with a vertical rotor to get theanalytical isolation of the three main lipoproteins for clinicaluse.DESIGN AND METHOD, Blood samples were obtained from337 subjects admitted at our Hospital. Sera were adjusted to1.210 kg/L density with KBr and filled with a 1.006 kg/L densityKBr solution. Tubes were processed in L-80 Beckman ultracentrifugeusing a VTi 65.2 rotor at 416 000g for 55 min at10ºC. RESULTS, HDL fraction was collected from initial until upto 1.7 mL, LDL fraction in the following 2.5 mL and VLDL fractionin the last 0.9 mL.The intraassay CVw were 0.71-11.41% and the interassayCVb, 1.53-11.11%. The correlation coefficients fluctuatedbetween 0.707-0.982.CONCLUSIONS, We propose a modified isopicnic densitygradient ultracentrifugation method that is both an easy and reliable technique, which separates and quantifies cholesteroland triglycerides in the three main lipoproteins (HDL, LDL andVLDL) independently, in one step, in a short time (55 min) andwith a minimal sample volume (1 mL).Therefore it is an useful method when direct methods are notaccurate enough and when quantification of triglycerides is needed

Implantación en el laboratorio de un algoritmo para el diagnóstico diferencial de la proteinuria / The use of a simple algorithm to improve proteinuria diagnosis in clinical laboratories

Fundamento y objetivo: El hallazgo de proteinuria debe ir seguido de un diagnóstico diferencial para determinar su origen. Nuestro objetivo ha sido valorar los resultados de la implantación por el laboratorio de un algoritmo para el cribado y diagnóstico de la proteinuria. Material y métodos: De un total de 30.718 orinas procesadas, se obtuvo una concentración de proteínas igual o superior a 30 mg/dl en 639, recomendándose el envío de una nueva muestra para confirmación y estudio diferencial de proteinuria. Se recibieron 207, a las que, además de las proteínas totales, se les cuantificaron creatinina, albúmina y alfa-1-microglobulina, junto con los parámetros de la tira reactiva pseudoperoxidasa y esterasa leucocitaria. Estos resultados se incorporaron a un sistema experto (UPES y su aplicación Protis), que permite la diferenciación de hematuria, leucocituria y proteinuria, solicitando la medida de otras pruebas (IgG, alfa-2-macroglobulina, cadenas ligeras kappa/lambda) cuando es necesario. Resultados: De las 207 peticiones recibidas para estudio de proteinuria selectiva, 39 fueron normales, 96 se clasificaron como glomerulopatía primaria, 26 como glomerulopatía secundaria y 5 como nefropatía túbulo-intersticial. Se pudo diferenciar el origen de la hematuria en 58 de estas orinas. Además, detectamos cadenas ligeras libres tipo kappa, confirmadas por inmunofijación, en una muestra de orina de un paciente con un proteinograma normal en suero. Conclusión: Con el algoritmo propuesto, la información obtenida de una muestra de orina aumenta mucho, permitiendo la detección y diferenciación de la proteinuria y aportando sugerencias para la evaluación clínica del paciente

Background and objective: When proteinuria appears, a differential diagnosis must determine its origin. The object of this work has been to evaluate the results after the laboratory implantation of an algorithm for the screening and diagnosis of proteinuria. Material and methods: From a total of 30,718 processed urines, a 30 mg/dl or higher protein concentration was obtained in 639, recommending a new sample to confirm and differenciate proteinuria. We received 207, to which total protein, creatinine, albumin and alpha-1-microglobulin were quantificated, together with pseudoperoxidase and leucocite esterase from dipstick. The results were introduced in an expert system (UPES and its application Protis), allowing differenciate hematuria, leucocituria and proteinuria and suggesting the assessment of other parameters, like IgG, alpha-2-macroglobulin, light chain kappa/lambda, when necessary. Results: From 207 urinalysis assayed for selective proteinuria, 39 were normal, 96 were classified as primary glomerulopathy, 26 as secondary glomerulopathy and 5 as tubulo-interstitial nephropathy. A differential diagnosis of hematuria was made in 58 of these urines. Besides, kappa light chains were detected in a sample from a patient with a normal serum protein graph, which were confirmed by inmune fixation. Conclusion: With the proposed algorithm, the information obtained from a urine sample increases substantially, allowing detection and differentiation of proteinuria and providing suggestions for the clinical evaluation of the patient

La proteína C reactiva como marcador del riesgo cardiovascular / C-reactive protein as an indicator of cardiovascular risk

Se han publicado un gran número de estudios epidemiológicos que asocian distintos factores de inflamación, como la proteína C reactiva (PCR), y la enfermedad cardiovascular. Con la disponibilidad de sistemas de ensayo altamente sensibles, la medida de la concentración plasmática de la PCR puede proporcionar un método para la detección de individuos con alto riesgo de ruptura de placa y de eventos cardiovasculares. El límite superior del rango bajo-normal de la PCR podría ser un predictor independiente del riesgo de futuro infarto e ictus en individuos sin historia de enfermedad cardiovascular. La incorporación de la PCR al perfil del estudio lipídico puede mejorar la predicción del riesgo global tanto en individuos normolipidémicos como en hiperlipidémicos. La PCR también puede ser de utilidad en la monitorización de la respuesta antiinflamatoria de fármacos como el ácido acetilsalicílico y las estatinas, sobre todo en la prevención primaria de eventos vasculares. Por tanto, la PCR puede desempeñar un papel importante en la valoración del riesgo global en la prevención primaria de la enfermedad vascular (AU)