Effects of a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diet on embryo production in dairy cows.

Beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on dairy cow reproduction have been previously reported. The objectives of the present study were to assess whether n-3 PUFA supplementation would affect in vitro embryo production (IVP) after ovarian stimulation. Holstein cows received a diet with 1% dry matter supplementation of either n-3 PUFA (n = 18, microencapsulated fish oil) or a control, n-6 PUFA (n = 19, microencapsulated soy oil). Both plasma and follicular fluid FA composition showed integration of total PUFA through the diet. All cows underwent an IVP protocol consisting of ovarian stimulation, ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte retrieval (ovum pick-up, OPU, five per cow) followed by in vitro maturation, fertilisation and 7 days of embryo development. A tendency toward an increase in the blastocyst rate (diet effect, P = 0.0865) was observed in n-3 cows, with 49.6 ± 5.5% vs 42.3 ± 5.5% in control n-6 cows. A significant increase (diet effect, P = 0.0217) in the good-quality blastocyst rate (freezable blastocysts) was reported in n-3 cows (42.2 ± 7.7%) compared to control n-6 cows (32.7 ± 7.7%). A significant difference in lipid composition was shown in the oocytes recovered by OPU from n-3 and n-6 treated cows, by intact single-oocyte MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The 42 differentially abundant identified lipids were mainly involved in cell membrane structure. In conclusion, n-3 PUFA supplementation enhanced oocyte quality and modified their lipid composition. Further studies are necessary to investigate the potential link of these lipid modifications with enhanced oocyte quality.

Involvement of plasma adipokines in metabolic and reproductive parameters in Holstein dairy cows fed with diets with differing energy levels.

This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma adipokine concentrations and metabolic and reproductive parameters in Holstein dairy cows fed diets with different energy levels during the peripartum period. The experiment started 1 mo before first calving and was maintained for 2 lactations. Dry matter intake and energy balance in animals fed a low-energy (LE) diet were significantly lower than that of animals fed a high-energy (HE) diet in the first lactation. Body weight, milk production, back fat thickness, and plasma concentrations of fatty acids, glucose, and insulin were not affected by diet, whereas plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations were lower and plasma resistin concentrations higher in animals fed the LE diet. Unlike concentrations of adiponectin, plasma resistin concentrations were positively correlated with back fat thickness and plasma fatty acids concentrations and negatively correlated with dry matter intake and plasma leptin concentrations. No effect of diet was found on reproductive variables; that is, pregnancy rates at 35 or 90 d after artificial insemination (AI); numbers of small (3-5 mm), medium (>5 and ≤7 mm), and large (>7 mm) follicles; calving-to-AI and calving-to-calving intervals; and magnitude and duration of the LH surge. However, the commencement of luteal activity after first calving occurred sooner and the frequency of LH pulses was higher in the HE group than in the LE group. A significant positive correlation was found between the number of follicles (of any size) and the area under the curve of plasma resistin concentrations. The number of small follicles was also positively correlated with the nadir of plasma resistin concentrations. Taken together, these results suggest that dietary energy content in the range applied here can alter the resumption of ovarian activity and LH pulsatility without affecting fat mobilization. Plasma adipokine profiles (leptin, resistin, and adiponectin) were significantly altered by diet and negative energy balance but relationships with reproductive variables were limited to follicular growth characteristics and plasma resistin concentrations.

Grado de conocimiento sobre su enfermedad en pacientes diabéticos que se controlan en el servicio de Endocrinología del Hospital "José F. de San Martin". Año 2016 / Degree of knowledge about their disease in diabetic patients who are controlled in the Endocrinology service of the "José F. de San Martin" Hospital. Year 2016

La Diabetes Mellitus es una enfermedad crónica las complicaciones asociadas a la misma se vinculan con el grado de conocimiento que tenga elpaciente sobre su enfermedad. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, transversal y descriptivo con el objetivo de estimar el grado de conocimiento sobre Diabetes relacionándola con edad, sexo, nivel de instrucción, situación laboral, estado civil, situaciónde convivencia, presencia o no de antecedentes de Diabetes de tipo II en familiares directos y tipo de tratamiento que recibían. La población en estudio fue una muestra de 90 pacientes controlados en el servicio de Endocrinología del Hospital "José F. de San Martin", durante el año 2016. Se analizó el grado de conocimiento mediante un instrumento basado en un cuestionario realizado por la Universidad de Michigan (EUA) y un cuestionario de Diabetes ECODI (Escala de conocimientos de Diabetes). Las operaciones estadísticas utilizadas fueron porcentajes y promedios en el programa "Excel".RESULTADOSEl 69% de los pacientes encuestados obtuvo un grado de conocimiento aceptable; de estos la mayoría no tenían antecedentes de Diabetes, eran adultos maduros (36 a 59años de edad), pertenecían al sexo femenino, tenían riesgo educativo (personas con escolaridad básica incompleta), trabajaban de forma independiente, eran solteros, vivían solos y tenían la alimentación como principal tratamiento.DISCUSIÓNExisten estudios antecedentes que demuestran que el grado de conocimientos de pacientes diabéticos sobre su enfermedad influye directamente en el autocuidado de los mismos. Este estudio evidenció que el grado de conocimiento sobre su enfermedad es aceptable en los sujetos estudiados resultados similares a lo obtenido por Rodríguez en Buenos Aires Argentina 2015.CONCLUSIONESSe encontró un nivel de conocimientos aceptable, se sugiere implementar talleres supervisados para evaluar autocuidado, estrategias demostrativas sobre complicaciones para concientizar y lograr mantener un buen nivel de conocimientos o mejorarlo

ABSTRACTDiabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease, the complications associated with it are related to the degree of knowledge that the patient has about his illness.A quantitative, cross -sectional and descriptive study was carried out to estimate the level of knowledge about Diabetes related to age, sex, educational level, employment status, marital status, coexistence situation, presence or absence of type II diabetes In direct relatives and type of treatment that they received. The study population was a sample of 90 patients controlled in the service of Endocrinology of the Hospital "José F. de San Martin",during the year 2016. The degree of knowledge was analyzed through an instrument based on a questionnaire carried out by the University of Michigan (USA) and an ECODI (Diabetes Knowledge Scale) questionnaire. The statistical operations used were percentages and averages in the "Excel" program.RESULTS69% of the patients surveyed obtained an acceptable level of knowledge; Most of them had no history of diabetes, were mature adults (36-59 years of age), were female, had educational risk (people with incomplete basic schooling), worked independently, were single, lived alone and had Feeding as the main treatment.DISCUSSIONThere are previous studies that show that the degree of knowledge of diabetic patients about their disease directly influences their self-care. This study evidenced that the degree of knowledge about its disease is acceptable in the studied subjects results similar to the one obtained by Rodríguez in Buenos Aires Argentina 2015. CONCLUSIONSAn acceptable level of knowledge was found, it is suggested to implement supervised workshops to evaluate self-care, demonstrative strategies on complications to raise awareness and to maintain a good level of knowledge or improve it

SumárioDiabetes mellitus é uma doença complicações crónicas associadas a ela estão ligados ao grau de conhecimento que tem do paciente sobre sua doença.quantitativa, transversal e estudo descritivo foi realizado para estimar o grau de conhecimento sobre Diabetes relacionando-a com a idade, sexo, nível de escolaridade, situação de emprego, estado civil, situação que vivem, presença ou ausência de uma história de Diabetes Tipo II na família imediata e tipo de tratamento que receberam. A população do estudo foi uma amostra de 90 pacientes tratados no Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital "José F. de San Martin" durante 2016. O nível de conhecimento foi analisada por um modelo baseado em um questionário realizado pela Universidade de instrumento Michigan (EUA) e um questionário ECoDI Diabetes (Escala conhecimento Diabetes). operações estatísticas utilizadas foram percentagens e médias programa "Excel".RESULTADOS69% dos pacientes pesquisados recebeu um grau aceitável de conhecimento; destes a maioria não tinha história de diabetes, fossem adultos maduros (36-59 anos de idade) eram do sexo feminino, tinha de risco educacional (pessoas com ensino fundamental incompleto), trabalhando de forma independente, eles eram solteiros, vivia sozinho e tinha alimentos como tratamento primário.DISCUSSÃOHá estudos precedentes que mostram que o grau de conhecimento dos pacientes diabéticos acerca de sua doença afeta diretamente a auto-cuidado deles. Este estudo mostrou que o grau de conhecimento sobre a sua doença é aceitável nos assuntos semelhantes aos obtidos por Rodriguez em Buenos Aires Argentina 2015 resultados.CONCLUSÕESum nível aceitável de conhecimento foi encontrado, sugere-se a implementação de oficinas supervisionadas para avaliar as estratégias de auto-atendimento complicações manifestação para sensibilizar e conseguir manter um bom nível de conhecimento ou melhorá-lo

Effect of different culture systems on adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP) in bovine embryos.

Bovine embryos cultured in serum-containing media abnormally accumulate lipid droplets, compared to their in vivo counterparts. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different culture systems on the mRNA expression and on the quantification and localisation of adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP), a protein associated with lipid accumulation in bovine blastocysts. Two experiments were independently performed for ADRP mRNA expression analysis. In experiment A, blastocysts were produced in modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF)+10% foetal calf serum (FCS), in coculture (bovine oviduct epithelial cells, Boec) and in ewe oviducts, whereas in experiment B, they were produced in mSOF+10µM docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and in vivo. Control groups were also performed. ADRP mRNA expression was downregulated in the Boec, ewe oviduct and in vivo groups compared to the 10% FCS or DHA groups, respectively. Moreover, the expression of this protein was downregulated in the Boec group compared to the control group (P<0.05). A third experiment (experiment C) was performed to quantify and localise ADRP protein. Boec, in vivo and control groups were tested. After immunofluorescence staining followed by confocal microscopy analysis, embryonic ADRP was clearly localised around lipid droplets, indicating that ADRP is also a lipid droplet coat protein in bovine embryos. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that bovine embryos at the blastocyst stage expressed ADRP mRNA and protein, and that the embryonic culture system modified this expression.

Induction of parturition with aglepristone in various sized bitches of different breeds.

The objective of this study was to confirm in various breeds of dogs the efficacy and safety of a parturition induction treatment described to be successful in Beagle dogs. Parturition was induced in seven various sized pregnant bitches of different breeds, with 15 mg aglepristone per kg at day 59-61 post-estimated ovulation day, followed 24 h later by 0.15 IU oxytocin per kg subcutaneous injections every 2 h. Two bitches were small-sized bitches (<10 kg), three bitches were large-sized bitches (30-40 kg) and two bitches were giant bitches (>40 kg). The results were compared to a control group (n = 6), in which bitches underwent a natural delivery in the same environmental conditions as the induced group. In the induced group, parturition was successfully induced in 7/7 bitches. The first pup in a litter was born on average 25.9 +/- 3.29 h after aglepristone administration (21-30 h). Two of seven bitches from the small-sized group delivered some of their pups before the first administration of oxytocin. The mean duration of parturition was 9.6 +/- 5.4 h vs 8.0 +/- 4.8 h in the control group. The mean interval between two successive pups being delivered was 115.6 +/- 82.8 min (34-265) vs 68.8 +/- 24.5 min in the control group (p < 0.03). The mean weight at parturition did not differ significantly between the two groups. One litter of four Yorkshire Terrier pups in the induced group were premature at the time of birth and died between 19 and 29 h post-delivery. This study, although on a very limited number of dogs, confirms the efficacy of the aglepristone/oxytocin protocol to induce parturition in dogs.

Essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral illness of childhood and is increasingly found as a sexually transmitted disease in sexually active young adults. Current treatment options are invasive, requiring tissue destruction and attendant discomfort. Thirty-one children (mean age 4.6 +/- 2.1 years) with the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum (mean length of time with condition 8.6 +/- 5.3 months) were treated with once daily topical application of a 10% solution (v/v) of essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) or vehicle (olive oil). At the end of 21 days, there was greater than 90% reduction in the number of lesions in 9/16 children treated with lemon myrtle oil, while 0/16 children met the same criteria for improvement in the vehicle group (P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.

Anthracycline cardiotoxicity in transgenic mice overexpressing SR Ca2+-ATPase.

Chronic anthracycline administration results in a time- and dose-dependent cardiomyopathy. The Ca-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, SERCA2, has been implicated as a principal target for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. This hypothesis predicts that improved SERCA2 function would provide protection from cardiotoxic effects of anthracycline administration. Doxorubicin was administered (1.7 mg/kg three times weekly; cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg) to 10 transgenic mice that overexpressed SERCA2 and to 10 isogenic littermates. Survival was monitored for 60 days and histologic comparisons were made of cardiac tissue. Survival in the transgenic mice was worse (1/10 60-day survivors) compared to isogenic control mice (7/10 60-day survivors). There was a greater degree of histologic damage exhibited in hearts from transgenic mice compared to isogenic controls when all available hearts were examined. These data do not support a role of SERCA2 in ameliorating anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Randomized, controlled trial of phytoestrogen in the prophylactic treatment of menstrual migraine.

Approximately 30% of women afflicted with migraine have menstrually associated attacks. These migraines are often refractory to treatment. Evidence suggests estrogen and progestin fluctuations may influence menstrual migraine. Phytoestrogens have demonstrated estrogenic effects in some tissues, but are without stimulation of the endometrium, suggesting decreased risk with long-term use. This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a phytoestrogen combination in the prophylactic treatment of menstrual migraine. Forty-nine patients were randomized to receive either placebo, or a daily combination of 60 mg soy isoflavones, 100 mg dong quai, and 50 mg black cohosh, with each component standardized to its primary alkaloid. Patients received study medication for 24 weeks. Average frequency of menstrually associated migraine attacks during weeks 9-24 was reduced from 10.3 +/- 2.4 (mean +/- s.e.m.) in placebo treated patients to 4.7 +/- 1.8 (P < 0.01) in patients treated with the phytoestrogen preparation.

Doxorubicin and C-13 deoxydoxorubicin effects on ryanodine receptor gene expression.

Chronic anthracycline administration to rabbits causes impairment of cardiac contractility and decreased gene expression of the calcium-induced calcium release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the ryanodine receptor (RYR2). The C-13 hydroxy metabolite (doxorubicinol), formed in the heart, has been hypothesized to contribute to anthracycline cardiotoxicity. C-13 deoxydoxorubicin is an analog unable to form the C-13 hydroxy metabolite. Therefore, doxorubicin, C-13 deoxydoxorubicin, or saline was administered to rabbits (1 mg/kg iv twice weekly for 8 weeks). Left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) was decreased by chronic treatment with doxorubicin (28 +/- 2%; P < 0.05), but not C-13 deoxydoxorubicin (33 +/- 2%) compared to age-matched pair-fed controls. Doxorubicin, but not C-13 deoxydoxorubicin, caused a significant reduction (P < 0.02) in the ratio of RYR2/Ca-Mg ATPase (SERCA2) mRNA levels (0.57 +/- 0.1 vs 1.22 +/- 0.2, respectively) in the left ventricle. This suggests that doxorubicinol may contribute to the downregulation of cardiac RYR2 expression in chronic doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

[Methotrexate-induced skin detachment]. / Décollements cutanés induits par le méthotrexate.

The undesirable effects of high-dose methotrexate on integument and mucosa are well-known, but lesions of the skin proper, characterized by distal erythema with desquamation, are rare. We report the case of a male patient presenting with extensive skin erosions after intravenous infusion of a 5 gram total dose of methotrexate to treat high-grade lymphoma. The skin disease was accompanied by renal, hepatic and mucosal lesions, as well as bone marrow aplasia. The mechanism of cutaneous necrosis is uncertain, but it might be due to direct toxicity of methotrexate to the epidermis. The patient was also treated with G-CSF. He recovered from aplasia within 6 days, without infectious complications. Haematopoietic growth factors might have reduced the risk of infection arising from the skin, by shortening the duration of cytopenia.