Dietary supplementation of rumen native microbes improves lactation performance and feed efficiency in dairy cows.

Objectives were to determine the effects of 2 dietary microbial additives supplemented to diets of Holstein cows on productive performance and feed efficiency. One-hundred and 17 Holstein cows were enrolled at 61 d (31 to 87 d) postpartum in a randomized complete block design experiment. Cows were blocked by parity group, as nulliparous or multiparous cows and, within parity, by pre-treatment energy-corrected milk yield. Within block, cows were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments administered as top-dress for 140 d. Treatments consisted of either 100 g of corn meal containing no microbial additive (CON; 15 primiparous and 25 multiparous), 100 g of corn meal containing 5 g of a mixture of Clostridium beijerinckii and Pichia kudriavzevii (G1; 4 × 107 cfu of C. beijerinckii and 1 × 109 cfu of P. kudriavzevii; 14 primiparous and 24 multiparous), or 100 g of corn meal containing 5 g of a mixture of C. beijerinckii, P. kudriavzevii, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Ruminococcus bovis (G2; 4 × 107 cfu of C. beijerinckii, 1 × 109 cfu of P. kudriavzevii, 1 × 108 cfu of B. fibrisolvens, and 1 × 108 cfu of R. bovis; 15 primiparous and 24 multiparous). Intake of DM, milk yield, and BW were measured daily, whereas milk composition was analyzed at each milking 2 d a week, and body condition was scored twice weekly. Milk samples were collected on d 60 and 62 in the experiment and analyzed for individual fatty acids. The data were analyzed with mixed-effects models with orthogonal contrast to determine the impact of microbial additive (MA; CON vs. 1/2 G1 + 1/2 G2) and type of microbial additive (TMA; G1 vs. G2). Results are described in sequence as CON, G1, and G2. Intake of DM (22.2 vs. 22.4 vs. 22.4 kg/d), BW (685 vs. 685 vs. 685 kg) and the daily BW change (0.40 vs. 0.39 vs. 0.39 kg/d) did not differ among treatments; however, feeding MA tended to increase BCS (3.28 vs. 3.33 vs. 3.36). Supplementing MA increased yields of milk (39.9 vs. 41.3 vs. 41.5 kg/d), ECM (37.9 vs. 39.3 vs. 39.9 kg/d), fat (1.31 vs. 1.37 vs. 1.40 kg/d), total solids (4.59 vs. 4.75 vs. 4.79 kg/d), and ECM per kg of DMI (1.72 vs. 1.76 vs. 1.80 kg/kg). Furthermore, cows fed MA increased yields of pre-formed fatty acids in milk fat (>16C; 435 vs. 463 vs. 488 g/d), particularly unsaturated fatty acids (367 vs. 387 vs. 410 g/d), such as linoleic (C18:2 cis-9, cis-12; 30.9 vs. 33.5 vs. 35.4 g/d) and α-linolenic acids (C18:3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15; 2.46 vs. 2.68 vs. 2.82 g/d) on d 60 and 62 in the experiment. Collectively, supplementing G1 and G2 improved productive performance of cows with no differences between the 2 MA.

Effect of source and amount of rumen-protected choline on hepatic metabolism during induction of fatty liver in dairy cows.

Objectives were to determine the effect of supplementing increased amounts of rumen-protected choline (RPC) from sources with low (L, 28.8%) or high (H, 60.0%) concentration of choline chloride on hepatic metabolism when cows were subjected to feed restriction to develop fatty liver. It was hypothesized that increased supplementation of RPC reduces hepatic triacylglycerol and enhances glycogen concentrations. Pregnant, nonlactating multiparous Holstein cows (n = 110) at mean (± standard deviation) 232 ± 3.9 d of gestation were blocked by body condition (4.01 ± 0.52) and assigned to receive 0 (CON), 12.9 (L12.9 or H12.9), or 25.8 (L25.8 or H25.8) g/d of choline ion. Cows were fed for ad libitum intake on d 1 to 5 and restricted to 50% of the NEL required for maintenance and pregnancy from d 6 to 13. Intake of metabolizable methionine was maintained at 19 g/d during the feed restriction period by supplying rumen-protected methionine. Hepatic tissue was sampled on d 6 and 13 and analyzed for triacylglycerol, glycogen, and mRNA expression of genes involved in choline, glucose, and fatty acids metabolism, cell signaling, inflammation, autophagy, lipid droplet dynamics, lipophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Blood was sampled and analyzed for concentrations of fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and haptoglobin. Orthogonal contrasts evaluated the effect of supplementing RPC [CON vs. (1/4·L12.9 + 1/4·L25.8 + 1/4·H12.9 + 1/4·H25.8)], source of RPC [(1/2·L12.9 + 1/2·L25.8) vs. (1/2·H12.9 + 1/2·H25.8)], amount of RPC [(1/2·L12.9 + 1/2·H12.9) vs. (1/2·L25.8 + 1/2·H25.8)], and interaction between source and amount [(1/2·L12.9 + 1/2·H25.8) vs. (1/2·H12.9 + 1/2·L25.8)]. Least squares means and standard error of the means are presented in sequence as CON, L12.9, L25.8, H12.9, H25.8. Supplementation of RPC reduced hepatic triacylglycerol (9.3 vs. 6.6 vs. 5.1 vs. 6.6 vs. 6.0 ± 0.6% as-is) and increased glycogen contents (1.8 vs. 2.6 vs. 3.6 vs. 3.1 vs. 4.1 ± 0.2% as-is) on d 13 of the experiment. Feeding RPC reduced serum haptoglobin (136.6 vs. 85.6 vs. 80.6 vs. 82.8 vs. 81.2 ± 4.6 µg/mL) during the feed restriction period; however, blood concentrations of fatty acids, BHB, glucose, triacylglycerol, and total cholesterol did not differ among treatments. During feed restriction, supplementation of RPC enhanced the mRNA expression of genes related to choline metabolism (BHMT), uptake of fatty acids (CD36), and autophagy (ATG3), and reduced the expression of a transcript associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERN1). An increase in the amount of choline ion from 12.9 to 25.8 g/d enhanced the mRNA expression of genes associated with synthesis and assembly of lipoproteins (APOB100), and inflammation (TNFA), whereas it reduced the expression of genes linked to gluconeogenesis (PC), oxidation of fatty acids (ACADM, MMUT), ketogenesis (ACAT1), and synthesis of antioxidants (SOD1) on d 13 of the experiment. Feeding RPC, independent of the product used, promoted lipotropic effects that reduced hepatic lipidosis in dairy cows.

Induced endometritis in early lactation compromises production and reproduction in dairy cows.

Objectives of this experiment were to study the effect of infusing utero-pathogenic bacteria to induce endometrial inflammation on productive performance in early lactation and subsequent reproduction. Although endometritis is associated with perturbed reproduction, numerous factors may contribute to the observed association. It was hypothesized that induced endometrial inflammation, resulting in localized and systemic inflammatory responses, compromises production and reproduction. Holstein cows without clinical disease and with less than 18% polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in endometrial cytology on d 31 ± 3 postpartum had their estrous cycle synchronized. Cows were blocked by parity and genomic breeding value for cow conception rate and, within block, assigned randomly to remain as untreated controls (CON; n = 37) or to receive an intrauterine infusion of 5.19 × 108 cfu Escherichia coli and 4.34 × 108 cfu Trueperella pyogenes during the luteal phase to induce endometrial inflammation (INF; n = 48). Endometrial cytology was taken on d 2 and 7 after treatment to evaluate the proportion of PMN. Rectal temperature, dry matter intake, and yields of milk and components were measured in the first 7 d after treatment. Blood serum was analyzed for concentration of haptoglobin. Leukocytes were isolated from blood on d 2 and 7 after treatment and on d 19 after artificial insemination (AI) and mRNA was quantified for a select group of genes. Cows received AI and reproduction was followed for 300 d postpartum. Bacterial infusion induced endometrial inflammation with increased proportions of PMN in the endometrial cytology on d 2 (4.4 ± 0.7 vs. 26.3 ± 2.8%) and 7 (10.9 ± 1.7 vs. 17.4 ± 2.1%) after treatment, resulting in increased mean prevalence of subclinical endometritis (>10% PMN; 23.3 ± 6.3 vs. 80.9 ± 5.1%). Rectal temperature did not differ between CON and INF, but the concentration of haptoglobin in serum tended to increase in INF compared with CON (113 ± 14 vs. 150 ± 16 µg/mL). Induced endometrial inflammation reduced yields of milk (44.9 ± 0.8 vs. 41.6 ± 0.8 kg/d), protein (1.19 ± 0.03 vs. 1.12 ± 0.03 kg/d), and lactose (2.17 ± 0.04 vs. 2.03 ± 0.04 kg/d) and tended to reduce dry matter intake (20.7 ± 0.5 vs. 19.4 ± 0.6 kg/d) in the first 7 d after treatment. Indeed, the reduction in milk yield lasted 4 wk. However, treatment did not affect yields of energy-corrected milk or fat because treatment with INF increased the concentration of fat in milk (3.54 ± 0.10 vs. 3.84 ± 0.10%). Induced endometrial inflammation reduced pregnancy per AI at all inseminations (33.4 ± 5.1 vs. 21.6 ± 3.7%) and the hazard of pregnancy (0.61; 95% CI = 0.36-1.04), which extended the median days open by 24 d. Blood leukocytes from INF cows had increased mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory gene IL1B on d 2 and 7 after treatment, but reduced expression of the IFN-stimulated genes ISG15 and MX2 on d 19 after AI. Induced endometrial inflammation depressed production and caused long-term negative effects on reproduction in lactating dairy cows.

Prepartum level of dietary cation-anion difference fed to nulliparous cows: Acid-base balance, mineral metabolism, and health responses.

Objectives were to determine the effects of 3 different levels of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) fed during the last 22 d of gestation to pregnant nulliparous cows on pre- and postpartum acid-base balance, mineral metabolism, and health responses. In all, 132 pregnant nulliparous Holstein cows were enrolled at 250 (248-253) d of gestation, blocked by genomic merit of energy-corrected milk yield, and assigned randomly to diets varying in DCAD: +200 (P200, n = 43), -50 (N50, n = 45), or -150 (N150, n = 44) mEq/kg of dry matter. Dietary treatments were fed until calving, after which cows received the same lactation diet for the first 100 d postpartum. Urine and blood were sampled throughout the prepartum period and in the first weeks postpartum, and urine was assessed for pH, whereas blood was analyzed for gases, measures of acid-base balance, minerals, and metabolites. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) retention and phosphorus (P) digestibility were evaluated in the last week of gestation and first week of lactation. Incidence of diseases was evaluated for the first 100 d postpartum. Data are presented in sequence as P200, N50, N150 (LSM ± SEM). Reducing the DCAD reduced urine (8.17 vs. 6.50 vs. 5.51 ± 0.11) and blood pH (7.442 vs. 7.431 vs. 7.410 ± 0.004) and induced a state of compensated metabolic acidosis with a reduction in blood HCO3- (28.4 vs. 26.7 vs. 24.9 ± 0.3 mM) and partial pressure of CO2 (41.8 vs. 40.1 vs. 39.1 ± 0.4 mmHg) prepartum. Reducing the DCAD linearly increased blood ionized Ca (iCa; 1.224 vs. 1.243 vs. 1.259 ± 0.008 mM) and serum total Ca (tCa; 2.50 vs. 2.53 vs. 2.56 ± 0.02 mM) prepartum, blood iCa on the day of calving, and serum Mg in the first days postpartum. Reducing the DCAD linearly increased the apparent absorption of Ca (12.9 vs. 19.0 vs. 20.9 ± 1.4 g/d) and Mg (7.0 vs. 9.9 vs. 10.4 ± 1.4 g/d) prepartum, but apparent retention of both Ca (13.9 g/d) and Mg (3.4 g/d) did not differ with treatment. Treatment did not affect digestibility of P pre- or postpartum or retention of Ca or Mg postpartum. Treatment did not affect the incidence or prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia, hepatic composition, or the prevalence of fatty liver. Reducing the DCAD had a quadratic effect on incidence of fever (46.5 vs. 17.6 vs. 33.9 ± 7.0%), uterine diseases (36.3 vs. 25.6 vs. 46.0 ± 7.3%), and morbidity (41.4 vs. 28.1 vs. 55.6 ± 7.3%). Feeding a diet with -50 mEq/kg of dry matter promoted moderate changes in acid-base balance, altered mineral metabolism, and benefited health of nulliparous cows; however, further reducing the DCAD to -150 mEq/kg negated the benefits to health.

Prepartum level of dietary cation-anion difference fed to nulliparous cows: Lactation and reproductive responses.

Objectives were to determine the effects of 3 levels of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) fed prepartum to nulliparous cows on productive and reproductive performance. We enrolled 132 pregnant nulliparous Holstein cows at 250 (248-253) d of gestation in a randomized block design. Cows were blocked by genomic merit of energy-corrected milk yield and assigned randomly to diets varying in DCAD, +200 (P200; n = 43), -50 (N50; n = 45), or -150 (N150; n = 44) mEq/kg of dry matter (DM). Dietary treatments were fed during the last 22 d of gestation and, after calving, postpartum cows received the same lactation diet. Productive performance was evaluated for the first 14 wk of lactation, and reproduction was assessed until 305 d postpartum. Intake of DM prepartum decreased linearly (results presented in sequence as least squares means ± standard error of the mean, P200 vs. N50 vs. N150) with a reduction in DCAD (9.0 vs. 8.9 vs. 8.4 ± 0.1 kg/d), which resulted in linear decreases in net energy balance (0.34 vs. 0.20 vs. -0.36 ± 0.20 Mcal/d), body weight change (1.1 vs. 0.8 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 kg/d), and mean body weight (652 vs. 649 vs. 643 ± 2 kg) prepartum. Treatment did not affect yield of colostrum (6.3 vs. 5.8 vs. 5.1 ± 0.6 kg) or the contents or yields of fat, protein, lactose, IgG, Ca, or Mg in colostrum. Intake of DM (19.4 vs. 19.2 vs. 19.0 ± 0.2 kg/d), yields of milk (36.6 vs. 36.7 vs. 35.8 ± 0.6 kg/d) or energy-corrected milk (36.7 vs. 36.3 vs. 35.9 ± 0.5 kg/d), feed efficiency (1.93 vs. 1.92 vs. 1.93 ± 0.03 kg of energy-corrected milk per kilogram of DM intake), and content and yield of milk components did not differ among treatments during the first 14 wk of lactation. Prepartum DCAD did not affect the cumulative milk yield by 305 d of lactation (9,653 vs. 10,005 vs. 9,918 ± 196 kg). Of the 132 cows, 40 P200, 45 N50, and 43 N150 received at least 1 artificial insemination (AI), and treatment did not affect pregnancy per AI at first (32.5 vs. 35.6 vs. 37.2%) or all AI (30.6 vs. 33.9 vs. 40.2%), although reducing the DCAD increased the proportion of cows pregnant by 305 d postpartum (76.7 vs. 88.9 vs. 93.2%) without altering the rate of pregnancy. Collectively, manipulating the DCAD of prepartum diets, from +200 to -150 mEq/kg of DM, fed to late gestation nulliparous cows did not affect subsequent lactation productive performance, but may have provided some benefit to reproduction, which warrants further confirmation.

Effects of feeding live yeast at 2 dosages on performance and feeding behavior of dairy cows under heat stress.

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of feeding different amounts of supplemental live yeast (LY) on performance and digestion of cows under heat stress. Sixty Holstein cows, 27 multiparous and 33 primiparous, were blocked by parity and milk yield in the first 20 d in milk (DIM) and randomly assigned to receive 0, 0.5, or 1.0 g/d of LY, resulting in daily intakes of 0, 14.2, and 37.6 billion cells, respectively, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM I-1077 from 30 to 107 DIM. Cows were milked twice daily, dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield were measured daily, and milk components, body weight, and body condition were measured weekly. Blood was sampled weekly and plasma analyzed for concentrations of glucose, fatty acids, urea N, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and acid-soluble protein. Digestibility of nutrients was measured in the last 2 wk of the experiment. Ruminal fluid was collected on 2 consecutive days 6 h after the morning feeding for measurements of pH, concentrations of short chain fatty acids, and NH3-N. Feeding behavior was observed for 48 h on experiment d 21 and 63. The mean ambient temperature was 26.8°C, humidity was 83.2%, and the temperature and humidity index ranged from 73 to 81. Treatment did not affect rectal temperature (38.9 ± 0.04°C) or DMI but increased yield of energy-corrected milk (ECM; 35.2 vs. 36.1 vs. 37.2 kg/d for 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g/d, respectively) and efficiency of conversion of DM into ECM (1.70, 1.79, and 1.83 for 0, 0.5, and 1 g/d, respectively). Feeding LY increased digestibility of crude protein (65.1 vs. 68.8 vs. 70.4%) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 47.5 vs. 49.2 vs. 55.2%), and concentration of acetate (64.7 vs. 69.1 vs. 72.2 mM), which resulted in increased concentration of total short chain fatty acids in ruminal fluid (110.3 vs. 117.7 vs. 121.4 mM). Mean ruminal pH increased (5.99 vs. 6.03 vs. 6.26), and proportion of cows with pH <5.8 decreased linearly (42.9 vs. 34.9 vs. 7.7%) with increasing inclusion of LY. Concentrations of acute-phase proteins decreased with increasing amount of LY. Some aspects of feeding behavior were altered by LY, and meal size reduced quadratically (3.2, 3.5, and 2.9 kg of DM, respectively), whereas interval between rumination bouts tended to reduce linearly (122, 96.5, and 90.7 min, respectively) with increasing dose of LY. Chewing time per kilogram of NDF tended to increase linearly (71.6, 71.3, and 81.6 min/kg, respectively) with increasing dose of LY. The estimated net energy for lactation of the diet increased 5.2%, from 1.72 Mcal/kg of DM for 0 g of LY to 1.81 Mcal/kg for 1 g of LY. Feeding 1 g of LY/d to cows under heat stress increased yield of ECM and efficiency of feed conversion into ECM, improved diet digestibility, and increased ruminal fluid pH; these responses might be related either to direct effects of LY on ruminal microbial activity or to changes in feeding behavior that improved digestion of cows in heat stress.

Bones hold the key to DNA virus history and epidemiology.

DNA in human skeletal remains represents an important historical source of host genomic information and potentially of infecting viruses. However, little is known about viral persistence in bone. We searched ca. 70-year-old long bones of putative Finnish casualties from World War II for parvovirus B19 (B19V) DNA, and found a remarkable prevalence of 45%. The viral sequences were exclusively of genotypes 2 (n = 41), which disappeared from circulation in 1970´s, or genotype 3 (n = 2), which has never been reported in Northern Europe. Based on mitochondrial and Y-chromosome profiling, the two individuals carrying B19V genotype 3 were likely from the Soviet Red Army. The most recent common ancestor for all genotypes was estimated at early 1800s. This work demonstrates the forms of B19V that circulated in the first half of the 20(th) century and provides the first evidence of the suitability of bone for exploration of DNA viruses.

Dermatitis aerotrasportada de origen laboral en la industria química, farmacéutica y sector sanitario / Airborne contact dermatitis in chemical and pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sectors

INTRODUCCIÓN: La dermatitis de contacto aerotransportada (DCAT), es una forma de dermatitis profesional que por su manifestación clínica, localización y forma de contacto presentan característica propias, este hecho junto con la relevancia de la dermatosis dentro de la morbilidad profesional justifica la necesidad de sintetizar la evidencia científica existente mediante una revisión sistemática. OBJETIVOS: Identificar la evidencia científica sobre la DCAT, la existencia de un consenso sobre criterios diagnósticos, las medidas de prevención y la identificación de población especialmente sensible. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión sistemática de la producción científica publicada entre 2006 y 20014 sobre DCAT, se realizó una búsqueda sistemática mediante términos DeCS, MeSH, en diversas bases de datos y otros recursos informáticos (MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, SCIELO, OVID, BNCS, OSH, UPDATE). La evidencia se evaluó con los criterios SIGN. RESULTADOS: Tras el proceso de selección el resultado final fue de 15 artículos a analizar del total recuperado de 504. Los tipos de diseño: 1 Ensayo Clínico no aleatorizado sin grupo control y 14 Series de Casos, de los cuales 7 usaron grupo control. Las sustancias químicas que produjeron DCAT no publicadas previamente fueron: TFA, fibras PP y PE, Dihidrocloruro 2 2'-azobis (2-metilpropanamida) y HBTU1 ; y los fármacos: Tilosina, Pristinamicina, Carbocromeno y Famotidina. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES: La limitación de los resultados es el bajo nivel de evidencia científica de los artículos analizados, lo que compromete su validez externa. Con respecto a las revisiones de Santos R, y Grosens A (2001 al 2006) encuentran 9 casos nuevos de DCAT y Swinnen I, y Grossens A (2007-2011) describen 14 casos. En nuestra revisión (2006-2014) hay 6 nuevos casos, lo que reafirma un aumento en el interés del estudio y la trascendencia de esta patología

INTRODUCTION: Due to its location, clinical signs and form of contact, the airborne contact dermatitis (ABCD) is a unique type of occupational dermatitis. It results unquestionable the need of synthetising the scientific evidence through a systematic review taking into account the dermathoses relevance in the occupational morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To identify the scientific evidence for ABCD, the existence of a consensus on diagnostic criteria, on preventive measures and on the identification of especially sensitive population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2006 and 2014 about ABCD. A systematic search was performed using DeCS, MeSH, in various databases and other computer resources (MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, SCIELO, OVID, BNCS, OSH, UPDATE). The evidence was evaluated following a SIGN criteria. RESULTS: 15 articles were selected to be analyzed after a selecting process of 504. Types of design: 1-Non-randomized clinical trial without control group and 14 Case Series, 7 of which were using a control group. The ABCD chemicals not previously published: TFA, PP/PE fibers, Ethyl 2 2'- azobis Dihidroclorure (2- methyl propanamide) and HBTU1 , and the drugs: Tylosin, Pristinamycin, Carbocromen and Famotidine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The limitation of the results reveals the low scientific evidence levels on the analyzed articles, compromising his external validity. Regarding the reviews of Santos R, and Grossens A. (2001-2006), 9 new cases of ABCD were found and Swinnen I, and Grossens A. (2007-2011) described 14 cases. In our review (2006-2014) there are 6 new cases, confirming an increasing interest in this study and the gravity of this disease. As it is impossible to demonstrate a particularly sensitive population, it can be concluded that the ABCD is gaining importance. The scientific production should be improved with designs which generate a higher level of evidence allowing to take preventive measures

Structure and properties of bioactive eutectic glasses based on the Ca3(PO4)2-CaSiO3-CaMg(SiO3)2 system.

Taking into account the phase equilibrium relationships within the Ca3(PO4)2-CaSiO3-CaMg(SiO3)2 ternary system, three bioactive glasses with a eutectic composition and analogous amounts of Ca3(PO4)2 (∼40 wt.%) have been prepared. The structure of the glasses was investigated by 31P and 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. The glasses exhibited thermal expansion coefficients (50-600 °C) of 11.8-13.3×10(-6) °C(-1), a glass transition temperature of 790-720 °C and a softening temperature of 811-750 °C. The mechanical properties of the glasses were as follows: bending strength ∼100 MPa, Young's modulus 94-83 GPa, Vickers microhardness 7.1-4.1 GPa and toughness 0.8 MPa m1/2. The bioactive properties were discussed in terms of their structure deduced by MAS-NMR spectroscopy and the field strength of the network modifiers (Mg2+ and Ca2+). A knowledge of the glass structure was important in predicting its bioactivity.

Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid and the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α production by bovine immune cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modulates innate immunity through alteration of cytokine production by immune cells. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone, on LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production by cultured whole blood from prepubertal Holstein heifers (mean age, 5.5 mo). Compared with unstimulated cells, addition of LPS (10 µg/mL) to the culture medium increased (P<0.03) peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation≤2.5-fold. Coincubation with interferon γ (5 ng/mL) further stimulated (P<0.01) the lymphoproliferative response to LPS. Lipopolysaccharide increased (P<0.01) TNF-α concentration in cultured whole blood in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The greatest TNF-α stimulation occurred after 12 h of exposure to 1 µg/mL LPS. Coincubation with trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer (100 µM) or rosiglitazone (10 µM), a PPAR-γ agonist, decreased (P<0.01) LPS-induced TNF-α production by 13% and 29%, respectively. Linoleic acid and cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer had no detectable effects on LPS-induced TNF-α production in cultured bovine blood. The PPAR-γ agonist-induced TNF-α attenuation was reversed when blood was treated with both rosiglitazone and GW9662, a selective PPAR-γ antagonist. Addition of rosiglitazone to the culture medium tended to reduce nuclear factor-κ Bp65 concentration in nuclear and cytosolic extracts isolated from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results show that LPS is a potent inducer of TNF-α production in bovine blood cells and that trans-10, cis-12 CLA and PPAR-γ agonists may attenuate the pro-inflammatory response induced by LPS in growing dairy heifers. Additional studies are needed to fully characterize the involvement of nuclear factor-κ B in LPS signaling in bovine blood cells.

Isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on zirconia induce guided cell growth for dental implants.

UNLABELLED: Titanium implants are the gold standard in dentistry; however, problems such as gingival tarnishing and peri-implantitis have been reported. For zirconia to become a competitive alternative dental implant material, surface modification techniques that induce guided tissue growth must be developed. OBJECTIVES: To develop alternative surface modification techniques to promote guided tissue regeneration on zirconia materials, for applications in dental implantology. METHODS: A methodology that combined soft lithography and sol-gel chemistry was used to obtain isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates. The materials were characterized via chemical, structural, surface morphology approaches. In vitro biological behavior was evaluated in terms of early adhesion and viability/metabolic activity of human osteoblast-like cells. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA/Tukey HSD post hoc test. RESULTS: Isotropic micropatterned silica coatings on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates were obtained using a combined approach based on sol-gel technology and soft lithography. Micropatterned silica surfaces exhibited a biocompatible behavior, and modulated cell responses (i.e. inducing early alignment of osteoblast-like cells). After 7d of culture, the cells fully covered the top surfaces of pillar microstructured silica films. SIGNIFICANCE: The micropatterned silica films on zirconia showed a biocompatible response, and were capable of inducing guided osteoblastic cell adhesion, spreading and propagation. The results herein presented suggest that surface-modified ceramic implants via soft lithography and sol-gel chemistry could potentially be used to guide periodontal tissue regeneration, thus promoting tight tissue apposition, and avoiding gingival retraction and peri-implantitis.

Effects of feeding polyphenols from pomegranate extract on health, growth, nutrient digestion, and immunocompetence of calves.

Objectives were to determine effects of feeding pomegranate extract (POMx) rich in polyphenols on performance, health, nutrient digestion, and immunocompetence of calves in the first 70 d of age. Holstein calves (n=67), at 2+/-1 d of age (d 0=birth day) were randomly assigned to 0 (control), 5 (POMx5), or 10 g/d (POMx10) of pomegranate extract containing 16.9% gallic acid equivalent (GAE) to result in intakes of 0, 850 and 1,700 mg of GAE/d or an average of approximately 0, 15, and 30 mg of GAE/kg of body weight (BW) per day. All calves received colostrum during the first 24 h, pasteurized milk thereafter until 61 d of age, and grain was fed ad libitum for the first 70 d of age. Calves were housed in individual hutches, and grain intake, attitude and fecal scores, incidence and duration of health disorders, and treatments for health problems were evaluated daily. Body weight was measured on 2 consecutive days at 2, 30, and 70 d of age and averaged for each measurement. Concentrations of glucose and 3-hydroxybutyrate were measured in plasma. Nutrient digestion was measured using total fecal collection during a 3-d period. Neutrophil phagocytic and killing activities and antibody response to immunization with ovalbumin were measured. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured and cytokine production measured. Feeding POMx had no effect on intake or BW gain in the first 30 d of age, but after 30 d of age, both grain dry matter intake and BW gain decreased with increasing addition of POMx, which resulted in calves that were 1.8 and 4.3 kg lighter at 70 d of age for POMx5 and POMx10, respectively, compared with controls. Feeding POMx did not influence dry matter, organic matter, or starch digestibility, but it reduced crude protein and fat digestion. Plasma concentrations of glucose and 3-hydroxybutyrate were similar among treatments throughout the first 70 d of age. Measures of calf health such as fecal and attitude scores, risk of fever, and rectal temperature were not altered by treatments. Similarly, neutrophil phagocytic and killing activities did not differ among treatments. On the contrary, feeding POMx increased synthesis of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and improved total immunoglobulin G responses to ovalbumin vaccination. These results suggest that feeding POMx top-dressed onto the grain suppresses intake of grain and digestibility of fat and protein, likely because of the high tannin content. Nevertheless, polyphenols from POMx enhanced mitogen-induced cytokine production and response to vaccination, which might benefit immune competence of calves and potentially health. Additional studies are warranted to minimize the effect of POMx on intake and digestibility and to better understand the mechanisms by which polyphenols improve immune response of calves.

In vitro study of the proliferation and growth of human bone marrow cells on apatite-wollastonite-2M glass ceramics.

This study concerns the preparation and in vitro characterization of an apatite-wollastonite-2M bioactive glass ceramic which is intended to be used for the regeneration of hard tissue (i.e. in dental and craniomaxillofacial surgery). This bioglass ceramic has been obtained by appropriate thermal treatment through the devitrification (crystallization) of a glass with a stoichiometric eutectic composition within the Ca(3)(PO(4))(2)-CaSiO(3) binary system. Crack-free specimens of the bioglass ceramic were immersed in human bone marrow cell cultures for 3, 7, 14 and 21days, in order to study biocompatibility. Cell morphology, proliferation and colonization were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. A total protein content assay was used to evaluate the viability and proliferation of cultured bone marrow cells. The results showed that the cells were able to adhere and proliferate on the designed material due to the essentiality of silicon and calcium as accessory factors for cell activity stimulation.

[Air embolism during laparoscopic surgery in an infant girl with Cornelia de Lange syndrome]. / Embolia gaseosa durante cirugía laparoscópica en lactante con síndrome de Cornelia de Lange.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome involves multiple malformations with particular phenotypic features (craniofacial abnormalities such as microcephaly or hypertrichosis with synophrys; cutaneous abnormalities such as hirsutism, and limb anomalies) and it is associated with a high percentage of mental retardation and complications such as digestive tract abnormalities, cardiac defects, and endocrine disorders. We report the case of a 2-month-old infant girl who underwent a laparoscopic antireflux procedure, with closure of a diaphragmatic hernia and a gastric stoma. The medical history included repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia and hypertension. Early in the procedure, 2 episodes of sudden desaturation, hypotension, and bradycardia with a probable diagnosis of air embolism. The complications resolved with specific treatment. Anesthetic management for laparoscopic surgery in these patients is truly complex and must be informed by a thorough understanding of the disease and complications that may develop.

Devitrification studies of wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate eutectic glass.

The present paper describes and discusses the devitrification and crystallization process of wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate (W-TCP) eutectic glass. This process was studied in situ from room temperature up to 1375 degrees C, by neutron diffractometry in vacuum. The data obtained were combined and compared with those performed in ambient atmosphere by differential thermal analysis and with those of samples fired in air at selected temperatures, and then cooled down and subsequently studied by laboratory XRD and field emission scanning electron microscopy fitted with energy X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. The experimental evidence indicates that the devitrification of W-TCP eutectic glass begins at approximately 870 degrees C with the crystallization of a Ca-deficient apatite phase, followed by wollastonite-2M (CaSiO(3)) crystallization at approximately 1006 degrees C. At 1375 degrees C, the bio-glass-ceramic is composed of quasi-rounded colonies formed by a homogeneous mixture of pseudowollastonite (CaSiO(3)) and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (Ca(3)(PO(4))(2)). This microstructure corresponds to irregular eutectic structures. It was also found that it is possible to obtain from the eutectic composition of the wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate binary system a wide range of bio-glass-ceramics, with different crystalline phases present, through appropriate design of thermal treatments.

¿Cómo perciben los estudiantes de pregrado de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia su proceso de evaluación académica? / Perceptions about evaluation in the undergraduate students, National Scholl of Medicine

Antecedentes. Diez años después de adelantada la reforma propuesta en el Acuerdo 14 de 1990, se consideró pertinente constatar si ésta había surtido efecto con relación a la evaluación. Objetivo. Conocer la percepción de los estudiantes de las carreras de la facultad de Medicina, sobre su proceso de evaluación. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo exploratorio, con enfoque cualitativo realizado con 1967 estudiantes, durante el segundo período académico de 2002. Se seleccionaron para el estudio 552 estudiantes, utilizando el método estratificado sistemático. Diligenciaron el formulario 482, distribuidos así: fonoaudiología 20 (4 por ciento), medicina 320 (66 por ciento), nutrición 86 (18 por ciento), terapia física 28 (6 por ciento) y terapia ocupacional 28 (6 por ciento). Resultados. La evaluación se percibió como un proceso diagnóstico por la mayoría de los estudiantes 48 por ciento, como de medición por el 35 por ciento y como retroalimentación de la valoración entre la congruencia de lo propuesto y lo realizado. Hubo un mayor énfasis en la evaluación del rendimiento académico aunque los estudiantes querían les evaluaran los conocimientos, las actitudes y las aptitudes, lo cual facilita el desarrollo de un profesional íntegro. La evaluación oral fue la preferida por los estudiantes entre otras razones por facilitar la relación docente-alumno. Los estudiantes percibieron la evaluación como poco planeada y favorecedora del conocimiento memorístico lo cual produjo insatisfacción en el 73 por ciento, solo el 54 por ciento consideró que podía ser entendida como método de aprendizaje. Conclusiones : La evaluación se percibió como diagnóstico del proceso diagnóstico y produjo insatisfacción en la mayoría de los alumnos. Los profesores y estudiantes deben iniciar experiencias de autoevaluación , retroalimentación, autorregulación y crear espacios de reflexión sobre la evaluación como un componente esencial del modelo pedagógico

[Disseminated infection by Mycobacterium scrofulaceum: apropos of 3 cases]. / Infección diseminada por Mycobacterium scrofulaceum: a propósito de 3 casos.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium avium-M. Intracellulare complex and Mycobacterium kansasii cause most of nontuberculous mycobacteria infections in AIDS patients in Spain. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum is rarely isolated as a cause of disseminated disease and most of case have been reported before the AIDS occurrence. METHODS: Three clinical cases of patients with disseminated disease caused by M.scrofulaceum and AIDS are reviewed. RESULTS: Clinical presentation in all cases was similar to those of other disseminated mycobacterial infection, and was also linked to severe immunosuppression (CD4 cell count < 100 CD4/mm3). CONCLUSIONS: In our area, M. scrofulaceum is the second species of nontuberculous mycobacteria causing disseminated disease in AIDS patients. The most frequent species is M. avium-M. intracellulare complex. For diagnosis an AIDS patient complaining of febrile syndrome without foci and severe immunosuppression, is mandatory to obtain blood cultures and biopsy or adenopathy aspirates if present. To our knowledge, these are the first reports in our country.