[Design and rationale: Observational Study of the Argentine Group for the Study of Lipoprotein (a)]. / Diseño y racional estudio observacional del Grupo Argentino Estudio Lipoproteína (a).

INTRODUCTION: Elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been linked to increased cardiovascular risk globally. However, comprehensive studies on Lp(a) levels and their impact on cardiovascular health in Argentina are lacking. The Argentine Group for the Study of Lipoprotein (a) [GAELp(a)] aims to address this gap through an observational study designed to evaluate the prevalence and consequences of elevated Lp(a) levels in the Argentine population. METHODS: The GAELp(a) study will recruit participants from diverse regions across Argentina. Eligible individuals will undergo comprehensive assessments, including demographic data collection, medical history review, and laboratory analyses to measure Lp(a) levels. The study will employ rigorous statistical analyses to explore the association between elevated Lp(a) levels and cardiovascular outcomes, considering potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Anticipated outcomes of the GAELp(a) study include a detailed characterization of Lp(a) levels within the Argentine population and their correlation with cardiovascular diseases. By elucidating these relationships, the study aims to provide valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of elevated Lp(a) on cardiovascular health in Argentina. CONCLUSION: The GAELp(a) observational study holds promise for enhancing our understanding of Lp(a)-related cardiovascular risk in Argentina. Findings from this study may contribute to the development of targeted interventions, clinical guidelines, and public health policies aimed at reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with elevated Lp(a) levels. Through collaborative efforts, the GAELp(a) study seeks to advance cardiovascular research and improve healthcare outcomes in Argentina.

Estudio de indicadores conductuales para evaluar el descargue de bovinos en plantas de beneficio / Study of behavirral indicators for assessing cattle downloading in slaughterhouses

Objetivo: Evaluar indicadores conductuales y la interacción hombre-animal durante el descargue de bovinos, en una planta de sacrificio colombiana. Metodología: Se calculó un índice compuesto por el tiempo de descargue y el comportamiento de los bovinos durante este proceso. Asimismo, se registró la interacción hombre-animal durante el descargue. Se evaluó la asociación entre las variables mediante análisis de regresión simple. Resultados: Se observó un total de 180 lotes, conformados por 1595 bovinos, procedentes de ocho departamentos colombianos. El tiempo de descargue promedio por lote fue 4,52±0,8 min. El 76,7% (n = 138) de los lotes evaluados presentó índices aceptables. Los eventos conductuales más frecuentes en los bovinos fueron deslizarse (22,8%), saltar (10,7%) y vocalizar (8,7%). Las interacciones hombre-animal que predominaron fueron: silbar (1,64±0,24/animal), golpear (1,39±0,27/animal) y hablar (1,19±0,19/animal). En esta etapa no se utilizó el tábano o picana eléctrica. Las vocalizaciones estuvieron correlacionadas con el número de golpes recibidos por parte de los manejadores (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Los resultados permiten concluir que el diseño del área de descargue y el manejo aversivo por parte del personal, son los factores que más incidieron para que esta etapa se tornara estresante y dificultara el manejo de los bovinos.

Objective: To assess behavioral indicators and human-animal interactions during the cattle download in a Colombian slaughterhouse. Methods: An index composed by the downloading time and cattle behavior was calculated during this process. Similarly, the human-animal interaction during download was recorded. The association between variables was evaluated by simple linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 180 groups were observed, made up by 1,595 bovines from eight Colombian departments. The mean downloading time was 4.52±0.8 min per group. Here, 76.7% (n = 138) of the evaluated groups presented acceptable scorings. The most common behavioral events were slips (22.8%), jumps (10.7%) and vocalizations (8.7%). The predominant human-animal interactions were whistling (1.64±0.24/animal), hitting (1.39±0.27/animal) and talking (1.19±0.19/animal). The electric prod was not used In this stage. Vocalizations were correlated with the number of hits given by the cattle drivers (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results allow concluding that the download area design and the repulsive handling by the staff were the factors of most considerable influence so that this stage turned into a stressful situation and made cattle handling difficult.

Importancia de aa interacción hombre-animal durante el presacrificio bovino: revisión / Importanceof mann-animal interaction during cattle pre-slaughter: review

Colombia ha adoptado en su legislación sanitaria los lineamientos de bienestar animal recomendados por la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) en la cadena logística bovina. Sin embargo, la interacción hombre-animal en las plantas de beneficio suele ser deficiente, porque es frecuente el uso de métodos cruentos para manejar los bovinos. Este tipo de interacción tiene consecuencias negativas para la industria, como aumento de la mortalidad del ganado por distrés, decomisos por contusiones, presentación de carne de menor calidad, mayores costos del proceso y riesgos laborales para los manejadores, entre otras. El objetivo de la presente revisión consistió en describir las características de la relación entre los manejadores y los animales durante el presacrificio bovino, analizar sus implicaciones en la cadena logística bovina, conocer la metodología utilizada para evaluar la interacción hombre-animal y presentar estrategias que permitan su mejoramiento.

Colombia has adopted in the sanitary legislation the animal welfare guidelines recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), in the bovine logistics chain. However, it usually happens that the man-animal interaction in the slaughterhouses is poor, because of the use of cruel methods to handle cattle is frequent. This type of interaction has negative consequences for the industry, such as the increase of livestock mortality due to distress, confiscation because of contusions, presentation of lower meat quality, increased processing costs and occupational risks for the handlers, among others. The objective of this review was to describe the characteristics of the relationship between the handlers and the animals during cattle pre-slaughter, to analyze its implications in the bovine logistic chain, to know the methodology used to assess man-animal interaction, and to present strategies that allow its improvement.

Evaluación del bienestar animal por medio de indicadores conductuales durante el sacrificio de bovinos / Assessmen of aniimal welfare using behavioral indicators during cattle slaugherr

La legislación Colombiana establece los lineamientos para el sacrificio de bovinos, el cual debe garantizar un procedimiento humanitario, además de cumplir con ciertos parámetros de calidad del producto final. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la eficiencia en la insensibilización en dos plantas de sacrificio como indicador de bienestar animal. Se evaluó la insensibilización de 1343 bovinos. Como variables se emplearon los signos de pérdida de sensibilidad (reflejo corneal, intentos de incorporarse, vocalizaciones y respiración rítmica) e indicadores conductuales de pérdida de Bienestar Animal (BA) (resbalones, caídas, vocalizaciones, saltos y marcha hacia atrás). Se midió el tiempo de retraso en la insensibilización, el número de disparos por animal, la localización correcta del impacto y el tiempo entre insensibilización y sangría. El 96.5% de los bovinos colapsaron inmediatamente después de recibir el primer impacto, sin embargo, el 23.6% (n=307) de éstos recuperó la sensibilidad antes de la sangría, debido al amplio intervalo de tiempo entre la insensibilización y la sangría superior a los 60 segundos (98.7%). Se encontró asociación significativa entre el retraso en la insensibilización y el número de eventos conductuales (p<0.01). Asimismo, se hallaron diferencias para los indicadores conductuales entre las plantas de sacrificio (p<0.01), encontrándose mayor incidencia en la planta A, la cual contaba con un método de sujeción de cabeza en el cajón de insensibilización, pero no de cuerpo. De otra parte, se observaron malas prácticas de manejo y conducción de los animales en la planta B como sujetar y empujar el animal con la picana eléctrica. Se concluye que en las plantas evaluadas el bienestar animal durante el sacrificio de bovinos es deficiente, se hace necesario la capacitación del personal, mejoras en la infraestructura y la implementación de indicadores de evaluación.

Colombian laws establish the guidelines for slaughtering of cattle which have to f guarantee a humane procedure, besides complying with some quality parameters for the final product. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficiency of the stunning process in two slaughterhouses as an indicator of animal welfare. Stunning was evaluated in 1343 bovines. Signs of loss of consciousness (corneal reflex, attempts to head up, vocalizations and rhythmic breathing) as well as behavioral indicators of Animal Welfare (AW) loss (slipping, falling, vocalizations, jumping and backward movements) were assessed to identify animal welfare standards. Besides, the stunning delay, the number of shots per animal, the appropriate location of the shots and the interval between shot and bleeding were measured. Although, 98.5% of animals collapsed immediately after receiving the first shot, 23.6% (n=307) recovered sensitivity before bleeding, because of the wide interval between stunning and bleeding which was higher than 60 seconds (98.7%). There was a significant association between stunning delay and the number of behavioral events counted (p<0.01). Moreover, differences in the behavioral indicators among the slaughterhouses evaluated were found (p<0.01) showing greater incidence in slaughter house "A" which had a head fixation system, but not one to hold still the entire body of the animal. Aversive behavioral responses were encountered in plant "B", such as the use of cattle prods to hold and push the animal while it was in the stunning box. The results indicate that in the slaughterhouses evaluated animal welfare during slaughtering is defficient and it is necessary to implement personnel training, improvement of infrastructure and evaluation indicators.

New approaches to female fertility preservation.

Survival rates have been improved in young cancer patients due to advances in oncologic treatments. It is necessary to focus on the consequences of cancer treatments and try to elude or at least prevent them. Menopause and infertility are two of the main causes for concern to those patients who survive cancer. When a solution is offered to these patients, their quality of life and self-esteem can be dramatically increased after therapy. Results observed in vitrified oocytes are similar to those achieved with fresh oocytes, giving this method great potential. Recommendations on fertility preservation should be focused on the oocyte vitrification method, which should be considered as the first option. Limitations of this approach are the need for ovarian stimulation, which means a 2-3 week period prior to chemotherapy and the possibility of high oestradiol levels when tumours are hormone dependent.

Vitrification: an effective new approach to oocyte banking and preserving fertility in cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Oocyte cryopreservation is a useful tool for preserving the fertility of cancer patients at risk of losing ovarian function due to undergoing potentially sterilising therapies. Results obtained with different cryopreservation protocols have been disappointing, particularly those obtained with slow cooling procedures. The efficacy of vitrification as an application in clinical practice has recently been demonstrated. The aim of this study is to report results obtained with the Cryotop method of oocyte vitrification in a population of healthy women and to point out its potential usefulness for fertility preservation in oncological patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisting of non-oncological patients included 47 oocyte donors and 57 recipients undergoing an oocyte donation cycle of assisted reproductive technology (ART). A total of 693 mature metaphase II oocytes were collected following ovarian stimulation using long protocol down-regulation plus gonadotropin administration. Vitrification was carried out by means of the Cryotop method. Oocytes were donated to a compatible recipient after endometrial preparation. RESULTS: Of the 693 oocytes, 666 (96.1%) survived. A total of 487 (73.1%) were fertilised successfully. One hundred and seventeen embryos were transferred to 57 recipients. Pregnancy rate per transfer and implantation rates were 63.2% and 38.5% respectively. Twenty-eight healthy babies were later born. CONCLUSIONS: Oocyte cryo-banking by means of the Cryotop vitrification method represents a viable option for healthy women, producing excellent survival rates and a clinical outcome similar to that obtained with fresh oocytes. This approach could potentially be used in cancer patients who want to safeguard their fertility. Cancer patients could potentially benefit from this approach by storing their oocytes before the onset of the oncological therapy.

Trombolisis con activador plasmático del plasminógeno, en un modelo de trombosis de vena femoral en conejos / Trombolisis with plasmatic activator of the plasminógeno, in a model of thrombosis of femoral vein in rabbits

Antecedentes: La trombosis venosa profunda (TVP), es una patología altamente prevalente, de difícil diagnóstico y con graves complicaciones. En la actualidad, los objetivos del tratamiento de esta enfermedad se enfocan en conseguir su control y evitar las complicaciones tanto de la patología como de su tratamiento. Objetivo: Analizar los resultados obtenidos con la nueva fracción proteica con actividad fibrinolítica, en un modelo de trombosis de la vena femoral en conejos. Lugar de trabajo: Laboratorio de Cirugía Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Diseño: Registro prospectivo de datos. Población: 15 conejos New Zeland. Material y Métodos: Para la formación del trombo, se aisló la vena femoral y se generó la trombosis colocando sobre la vena un trozo de papel de filtro embebido con cloruro férrico. Se evalúo y registró seriadamente el flujo venoso, tanto en la pretrombosis como a los 10, 20 y 30 minutos, mediante Eco-Doppler. Comprobada la trombosis se inició la trombolisis. Resultados: En el grupo A, luego de la aplicación de APP, el análisis por eco-Doppler determinó la reperfusión en 11/11 animales (100%). En tanto, en el grupo B, que se aplicó placebo, la reperfusión fue negativa (0/4 conejos) (p=0,001). Conclusión: Posterior a la inducción de la trombosis con cloruro férrico en vena femoral, la infusión de APP (lote A) mostró reperfusión en 11/11, mientras que el resultado en la infusión de placebo (lote B) fue 0/4. Registro con Doppler vascular de la trombosis y fibrinolisis resultó ser método sensible y específico.

Attentional shifts between surfaces: effects on detection and early brain potentials.

Two consecutive events transforming the same illusory surface in transparent motion (brief changes in direction) can be discriminated with ease, but a prolonged interference ( approximately 500 ms) on the discrimination of the second event arises when different surfaces are concerned [Valdes-Sosa, M., Cobo, A., & Pinilla, T. (2000). Attention to object files defined by transparent motion. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 26(2), 488-505]. Here we further characterise this phenomenon and compare it to the attentional blink AB [Shapiro, K.L., Raymond, J.E., & Arnell, K.M. (1994). Attention to visual pattern information produces the attentional blink in RSVP. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 20, 357-371]. Similar to the AB, reduced sensitivity (d') was found in the two-surface condition. However, the two-surface cost was associated with a reduced N1 brain response in contrast to reports for AB [Vogel, E.K., Luck, S.J., & Shapiro, K. (1998). Electrophysiological evidence for a postperceptual locus of suppression during the attentional blink. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 24(6), 1656-1674]. The results from this study indicate that the two-surface cost corresponds to competitive effects in early vision. Reasons for the discrepancy with the AB study are considered.

[Contribution of chromosomal abnormalities to in vitro fertilization failures]. / Contribución de las anomalías cromosómicas ovocitarias en el fracaso de la fecundación humana in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Present knowledge of mechanisms involved in human fertilization has uncovered a new group of pathologic conditions that have been generically named fertilization abnormalities. AIM: To determine the contribution of chromosomal alterations to in vitro fertilization failures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cytogenetic analysis of oocytes that were not fertilized after insemination with normal spermatozoa. Oocytes were obtained from patients subjected to in vitro fertilization in a public hospital of Metropolitan Santiago. Ovulation was induced in these patients administering GnRh-a, FSH, HMG and HCG. The double fixation technique described by Wramsby was used to obtain chromosomes. RESULTS: One hundred and seven oocytes coming from 45 women aged 25 to 42 years old were studied. The frequency of aneuploidy in these oocytes was 37.3%, with a 11.8% of hypohaploidy, a 21.6% of hyperhaploidy and a 3.9% of diploid oocytes. In hyperhaploid as well as in hypohaploid oocytes, the chromosomes involved in aneuploidy pertained to groups D. and G. CONCLUSIONS: Although the total frequency of aneuploidy is within normal ranges, the frequency of hyperhaploidy is superior to previous reports. An explanation for this finding could be that the occurrence of a lack of disjunction with chromosomal retention in the parental cell occurs with a higher frequency than that in which the chromosomes are retained in the polocyte. We also suggest that oocyte chromosomal aneuploidy could contribute to the failure of in vitro fertilization procedures.

Transparent motion and object-based attention.

The difficulty in processing two stimuli at once increases with their separation. Therefore to demonstrate constraints in dividing attention between objects, the effects of their spatial separation must be controlled. Duncan used superimposed objects to achieve this, and showed that judging two attributes is more accurate if they concern one object than if they concern two objects (Duncan, J. 1984. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 113, 501-517). However, critics claim that differences in the spatial or spatial-frequency extent of attention exist between these conditions. We studied transparent motion defined by two sets of differently colored dots that were interspersed in the same region of space, and matched in spatial and spatial frequency properties. Each set moved in a distinct and randomly chosen direction. We found that simultaneous judgments of speed and direction were more accurate when they concerned only one set than when they concerned different sets. Furthermore, appraisal of the directions taken by two sets of dots is more difficult than judging direction for only one set, a difficulty that increases for briefer motion. We conclude that perceptual grouping by common fate exerted a more powerful constraint than spatial proximity, a result consistent with object-based attention. Evidence that this type of object-based attention operates at early stages of vision is examined.