Multivariate analysis and visualization of soil quality data for no-till systems.

To evidence the multidimensionality of the soil quality concept, we propose the use of data visualization as a tool for exploratory data analyses, model building, and diagnostics. Our objective was to establish the best edaphic indicators for assessing soil quality in four no-till systems with regard to functioning as a medium for crop production and nutrient cycling across two Illinois locations. The compared situations were no-till corn-soybean rotations including either winter fallowing (C/S) or cover crops of rye (Secale cereale; C-R/S-R), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa; C-R/S-V), or their mixture (C-R/S-VR). The dataset included the variables bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), water aggregate stability (WAS), soil reaction (pH), and the contents of soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), soil nitrates (NO(3)-N), and available phosphorus (P). Interactive data visualization along with canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) allowed us to show that WAS, BD, and the contents of P, TN, and SOM have the greatest potential as soil quality indicators in no-till systems in Illinois. It was more difficult to discriminate among WCC rotations than to separate these from C/S, considerably inflating the error rate associated with CDA. We predict that observations of no-till C/S will be classified correctly 51% of the time, while observations of no-till WCC rotations will be classified correctly 74% of the time. High error rates in CDA underscore the complexity of no-till systems and the need in this area for more long-term studies with larger datasets to increase accuracy to acceptable levels.

Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), an ultraviolet (UV) filter, alters LHRH and amino acid neurotransmitters release from hypothalamus of immature rats.

OMC (octyl-methoxycinnamate), is an endocrine disruptor with estrogenic activity, which is used in sunscreen creams as a UV filter. We studied its " IN VITRO" effects on the hypothalamic release of LHRH as well as on the amino acid neurotransmitter system in immature rats of 15 (prepubertal) and 30 (peripubertal) days of age. OMC decreased the LH-RH release significantly in male and female rats of both age. In male rats OMC increased the release of GABA while in the female ones It diminished the excitatory amino acid aspartate (ASP) and Glutamate (GLU) without modifications in the hypothalamic GABA release. These results suggest that during sexual maturation the inhibitory effect of OMC on LH-RH release appears to be related to its action on the inhibitory and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters in male and female rats.

Prepartum intake, postpartum induction of ketosis, and periparturient disorders affect the metabolic status of dairy cows.

Nutritional management during the dry period may affect susceptibility of cows to metabolic and infectious diseases during the periparturient period. Thirty-five multiparous Holstein cows were used to determine the effect of prepartum intake, postpartum induction of ketosis, and periparturient disorders on metabolic status. Cows were fed a diet from dry-off to parturition at either ad libitum intake or restricted intake [RI; 80% of calculated net energy for lactation (NEL) requirement]. After parturition, all cows were fed a lactation diet. At 4 d in milk (DIM), cows underwent a physical examination and were classified as healthy or having at least one periparturient disorder (PD). Healthy cows were assigned to the control (n = 6) group or the ketosis induction (KI; n = 9) group. Cows with PD were assigned to the PD control (PDC; n = 17) group. Cows in the control and PDC groups were fed for ad libitum intake. Cows in the KI group were fed at 50% of their intake on 4 DIM from 5 to 14 DIM or until signs of clinical ketosis were observed; then, cows were returned to ad libitum intake. During the dry period, ad libitum cows ate more than RI cows; the difference in intake resulted in ad libitum cows that were in positive energy balance (142% of NEL requirement) and RI cows that were in negative energy balance (85% of NEL requirement). Prepartum intake resulted in changes in serum metabolites consistent with plane of nutrition and energy balance. Prepartum intake had no effect on postpartum intake, serum metabolites, or milk yield, but total lipid content of liver at 1 d postpartum was greater for ad libitum cows than for RI cows. The PD cows had lower intake and milk yield during the first 4 DIM than did healthy cows. During the ketosis induction period, KI cows had lower intake, milk yield, and serum glucose concentration but higher concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate in serum as well as total lipid and triacylglycerol in liver than did control cows. Cows with PD had only modest alterations in metabolic variables in blood and liver compared with healthy cows. The negative effects of PD and KI on metabolic status and milk yield were negligible by 42 DIM, although cows with PD had lower body condition score and BW. Prepartum intake did not affect postpartum metabolic status or milk yield. Periparturient disorders and induction of ketosis negatively affected metabolic status and milk yield during the first 14 DIM.

Evaluación comparativa del estrés en cirugía colónica laparoscópica y convencional / Comparative evaluation of laparoscopic and clasic open procedures in postoperative colonic surgery stress

Antecedentes: En los últimos años la cirugía laparoscópica ha sido incorporada para el tratamiento de las afecciones del colon, atribuyéndose como una de sus ventajas la menor alteración del estado inmunitario. Objetivo: Comparar los efectos de los procedimientos laparoscópicos colónicos (Lap) y los efectuados por vía convencional (Conv) en la evaluación post operatoria mediante la respuesta de la proteína C reactiva (PCR) y la Interleukina 6 (IL 6). Material y métodos: 19 pacientes intervenidos por Lap y 21 por Conv portadores de patología benigna y maligna fueron evaluados en forma prospectiva, no randomizada. Ambos grupos eran homogéneos en lo que respecta a edad, sexo, peso, ASA, antecedentes, patología y cirugía practicada. Los procedimientos Lap fueron todos asistidos por minilaparotomía. Para el análisis estadístico se tuvieron en cuenta los siguientes datos: tiempo de operación, requerimiento sanguíneo, complicaciones intra y post operatorias, tiempo de internación, niveles de IL 6 y PCR en el preoperatorio, 1er y 2do día postoperatorio. Resultados: La Lap tuvo una duración de 193' vs 158' la Conv (NS). El requerimiento de transfusión fue significativamente menor para la Lap (0,01). El tiempo de internación fue estadísticamente menor en la laparoscopía (3,6 vs 6 días). Las complicaciones fueron similares en ambos grupos. No encontramos diferencias estadísticas significativas al evaluar la PCR, en cambio la elevación de IL 6 fue estadísticamente menor en el grupo Lap en las primeras 24 y 48 horas del postoperatorio. Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos indican que la cirugía laparoscópica produce una menor respuesta de la IL 6 debido probablemente a una menor injuria tisular. El análisis individualizado de IL 6 mostró ser un marcador temprano de las complicaciones

Evaluación comparativa del estrés en cirugía colónica laparoscópica y convencional / Comparative evaluation of laparoscopic and clasic open procedures in postoperative colonic surgery stress

Antecedentes: En los últimos años la cirugía laparoscópica ha sido incorporada para el tratamiento de las afecciones del colon, atribuyéndose como una de sus ventajas la menor alteración del estado inmunitario. Objetivo: Comparar los efectos de los procedimientos laparoscópicos colónicos (Lap) y los efectuados por vía convencional (Conv) en la evaluación post operatoria mediante la respuesta de la proteína C reactiva (PCR) y la Interleukina 6 (IL 6). Material y métodos: 19 pacientes intervenidos por Lap y 21 por Conv portadores de patología benigna y maligna fueron evaluados en forma prospectiva, no randomizada. Ambos grupos eran homogéneos en lo que respecta a edad, sexo, peso, ASA, antecedentes, patología y cirugía practicada. Los procedimientos Lap fueron todos asistidos por minilaparotomía. Para el análisis estadístico se tuvieron en cuenta los siguientes datos: tiempo de operación, requerimiento sanguíneo, complicaciones intra y post operatorias, tiempo de internación, niveles de IL 6 y PCR en el preoperatorio, 1er y 2do día postoperatorio. Resultados: La Lap tuvo una duración de 193 vs 158 la Conv (NS). El requerimiento de transfusión fue significativamente menor para la Lap (0,01). El tiempo de internación fue estadísticamente menor en la laparoscopía (3,6 vs 6 días). Las complicaciones fueron similares en ambos grupos. No encontramos diferencias estadísticas significativas al evaluar la PCR, en cambio la elevación de IL 6 fue estadísticamente menor en el grupo Lap en las primeras 24 y 48 horas del postoperatorio. Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos indican que la cirugía laparoscópica produce una menor respuesta de la IL 6 debido probablemente a una menor injuria tisular. El análisis individualizado de IL 6 mostró ser un marcador temprano de las complicaciones (AU)