Heart rate variability parameters as markers of the adaptation to a sealed environment (a hypoxic normobaric chamber) in the horse.

Simulated hypoxic normobaric devices have been used in human beings in order to enhance endurance capacity. These devices are sealed chambers where the athletes are supposed to stay for at least 6-8 hr daily. The current research assesses the changes in time-domain, spectral and non-geometrical heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in 6 horses subjected to progressive duration periods inside of a hermetically sealed chamber. It was pursued, firstly to evaluate the intensity of the stress experienced by the animals and secondly to elucidate whether the horses might require an acclimation period before implementation of hypoxic conditions. HRV parameters were monitored for 6 days: day 0 (6-hr duration; in paddocks; basal conditions), and days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hr inside the chamber every day respectively). During day 1 and during the first hours of days 2 and 3, compared to day 0, horses presented increased HR and SDHR values and decreased RR interval duration. SD1 values decreased on some hours of days 2 and 3, but differences with day 0 were not found on day 1. Increased SDNN, RMSSD, SD1 and SD2 values were observed on days 4 and 5. These results showed an activation of the sympathetic activity together with an attenuation of the parasympathetic activity during the days 1 to 3. Increased parasympathetic activity was found only during the first hours of days 4 and 5. Spectral parameters experienced minor variations, with increased LFpeak and LF% during some hours of days 4 and 5. In conclusion, at least 3 days are needed to adapt the horse to a sealed environment before starting to subject the animals to hypoxic conditions. When the horses were acclimatized, however, a minor stress was detected with they spent more than 4 hr inside of the chamber.

Integrated Monitoring of Mola mola Behaviour in Space and Time.

Over the last decade, ocean sunfish movements have been monitored worldwide using various satellite tracking methods. This study reports the near-real time monitoring of fine-scale (< 10 m) behaviour of sunfish. The study was conducted in southern Portugal in May 2014 and involved satellite tags and underwater and surface robotic vehicles to measure both the movements and the contextual environment of the fish. A total of four individuals were tracked using custom-made GPS satellite tags providing geolocation estimates of fine-scale resolution. These accurate positions further informed sunfish areas of restricted search (ARS), which were directly correlated to steep thermal frontal zones. Simultaneously, and for two different occasions, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) video-recorded the path of the tracked fish and detected buoyant particles in the water column. Importantly, the densities of these particles were also directly correlated to steep thermal gradients. Thus, both sunfish foraging behaviour (ARS) and possibly prey densities, were found to be influenced by analogous environmental conditions. In addition, the dynamic structure of the water transited by the tracked individuals was described by a Lagrangian modelling approach. The model informed the distribution of zooplankton in the region, both horizontally and in the water column, and the resultant simulated densities positively correlated with sunfish ARS behaviour estimator (rs = 0.184, p<0.001). The model also revealed that tracked fish opportunistically displace with respect to subsurface current flow. Thus, we show how physical forcing and current structure provide a rationale for a predator's fine-scale behaviour observed over a two weeks in May 2014.

Teachers' perceptions of physical education content and influences on gender differences / Percepção de professores sobre o conteúdo de educação física e sua influência sobre as diferenças de gênero / Percepción del profesorado sobre los contenidos de educación física y su influencia en las diferencias de género

Boys and girls do not show the same interest in physical education classes. Teachers are the architect so that such participation can achieve the educational and social benefits purported by physical education. The aim of this study was to analyze whether teachers perceive that some contents are more appropriate for boys, excluding girls' participation. The methodology combines two instruments: a questionnaire and a semistructured interview. Participants were 18 Spanish secondary education teachers (14 males and 4 females) of physical education. Teachers think there is still a masculine approach to physical education classes. The boys prefer sports and physical fitness contents, whereas the girls prefer expressive contents, especially dancing. Teachers' suggestions to improve girls' participation are provided that most girls usually grant less importance to the more competitive physical education contents, whereas the majority of boys are more participative and they hardly help the girls. This means that teachers should present the benefits of physical activity in such a way that fulfills their educational purpose.

Os rapazes e as moças não mostram o mesmo interesse pelas classes de educação física. O professor é o responsável por desenhar as atividades para conseguir a participação e os benefícios da atividade física. O propósito deste trabalho é analisar se os professores percebem que os conteúdos são mais apropriados para os rapazes e que excluem as moças da participação. A metodologia utilizada combina os seguintes instrumentos: questionário e entrevista semiestruturada. Participaram 18 professores espanhóis de educação física de ensino secundário (14 homens e 4 mulheres). O professor ainda pensa que existe uma maior presença masculina nas aulas de educação física. Os rapazes preferem os desportos e a condição física, contudo as raparigas preferem os conteúdos expressivos, principalmente a dança. A sugestão dos professores para que as moças melhorem a sua participação é dar menos importância à competição e que os rapazes procurem ajudar a participação das moças. Desta forma, os professores poderão conseguir os objetivos educativos pretendidos da atividade física.

Los chicos y las chicas no muestran el mismo interés por las clases de educación física. El profesorado es el encargado de diseñar las actividades para conseguir la participación y los beneficios de la educación física. El propósito de este estudio ha sido analizar si el profesorado percibe que los contenidos son más apropiados para los chicos, y que excluyen a las chicas en la participación. La metodología utilizada combina dos instrumentos: un cuestionario y una entrevista semiestructurada. Han participado 18 profesores españoles de educación física en educación secundaria (14 hombres y 4 mujeres). El profesorado piensa que todavía hay una presencia más masculina de las clases de educación física. Los chicos prefieren deportes y condición física, mientras que las chicas prefieren contenidos expresivos, principalmente danza. La sugerencia del profesorado para que las chicas mejoren la participación es dar menos importancia a la competición, y que los chicos procuren ayudar a la participación de las chicas. Con ello, el profesorado podrá conseguir los objetivos educativos de actividad física pretendidos.

Making profiles in boys and girls playing basketball / Perfiles decisionales en niños y niñas de baloncesto

Decision-making in players of sports such as basketball is essential to the sport activity itself. For this reason, decision-making is being researched in sports from a range of approaches and angles. The focus of this study is on understanding the decision-making profiles of basketball playing boys and girls (n=63), aged between 10 and 12. They belong to a basketball school with a distinct educational philosophy and an internal competition style that favour educational values required in sports at the initial stages. A descriptive study was conducted by applying a questionnaire on decision-making styles in sports (CETD). The questionnaire results according to the three analysed parameters are as follows: perceived decisional competence, M=2.26 ± 0.2. Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed when making decisions, M=2.36 ± 0.3. Tactical learning commitment, M=3.43 ± 0.3. These results have allowed the acquisition of greater knowledge about the players being analysed in terms of their perception on how they make decisions in training and competition, thus allowing the application of certain teaching strategies, enabling them to progress in basketball skills

La toma de decisiones de los jugadores en deportes como el baloncesto, es consustancial al propio deporte. Por este motivo, la decisión es objeto de investigación en el ámbito deportivo, abordándola desde diferentes enfoques y perspectivas. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido conocer el perfil decisional de un grupo de niños y niñas que practican baloncesto (n=63), con edades comprendidas entre los 10 y 12 años. Pertenecen a una escuela de baloncesto con una marcada filosofía educativa y un tipo de competición interna favorecedora de los valores educativos necesarios para la práctica deportiva en las etapas de iniciación. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo aplicando el cuestionario de estilos al decidir en el deporte (CETD). Los resultados obtenidos según las tres dimensiones analizadas del cuestionario fueron: competencia decisional percibida, M=2.26 ± 0.2. Ansiedad y agobio al decidir, M=2.36 ± 0.3. Compromiso en el aprendizaje táctico, M=3.43 ± 0.3. Estos resultados han permitido obtener mayor conocimiento de los jugadores y jugadoras analizados en cuanto a su percepción sobre cómo deciden en el entrenamiento y la competición y, de este modo, poder aplicar determinadas estrategias didácticas que les permita progresar en el aprendizaje del baloncesto

Acute phase proteins in Andalusian horses infected with Theileria equi.

Clinical and laboratory findings were determined in 23 Andalusian horses in southern Spain that were positive for Theileria equi by PCR, including 16 mares at pasture (group A1) and seven stabled stallions (group B1). Five healthy mares at pasture (group A2) and five stabled stallions (group B2), all of which were negative for T. equi in Giemsa stained blood smears and by PCR, were used as controls. The most frequent clinical signs were anorexia, anaemia, depression and icterus (group A1), along with loss of performance or failure to train and depression (group B1). Thrombocytopoenia was evident in 5/7 horses in group B1. Lower serum iron concentrations were observed in both diseased groups compared with their respective control groups. There were no significant differences in APP concentrations between diseased and control groups; all affected horses had APP concentrations within reference limits. Serum haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and plasma fibrinogen concentrations were higher than the reference limits in 5/23, 3/23 and 1/23 diseased horses, respectively. It was concluded that horses with theileriosis exhibited only a mild systemic inflammatory response.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of enalapril and its active metabolite, enalaprilat, at four different doses in healthy horses.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of IV enalapril at 0.50 mg/kg, PO placebo and PO enalapril at three different doses (0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg/kg) were analyzed in 7 healthy horses. Serum concentrations of enalapril and enalaprilat were determined for pharmacokinetic analysis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, serum ureic nitrogen (SUN), creatinine and electrolytes were measured, and blood pressure was monitored for pharmacodynamic analysis. The elimination half-lives of enalapril and enalaprilat were 0.67 and 2.76 h respectively after IV enalapril. Enalapril concentrations after PO administrations were below the limit of quantification (10 ng/ml) in all horses and enalaprilat concentrations were below the limit of quantification in 4 of the 7 horses. Maximum mean ACE inhibitions from baseline were 88.38, 3.24, 21.69, 26.11 and 30.19% for IV enalapril at 0.50 mg/kg, placebo and PO enalapril at 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg/kg, respectively. Blood pressures, SUN, creatinine and electrolytes remained unchanged during the experiments.

Evidencias y Competencias en Psicoterapias / Evidence and Competence in Psychotherapy

La formación en psicoterapias de los M.I.R. es escasa y en pocos lugares de la geografía española podemos encontrar un programa estructurado. En 2008 se publicaba una Orden Ministerial que hacía posible la subespecialidad en psicoterapia el cuarto año de residencia. El desarrollo de esa orden nunca se produjo, pero la publicación en la Guía NICE 2010 de un buen número de psicoterapias con pruebas de eficacia podría dar a las psicoterapias el prestigio que tuvieron antaño. Se hace un recorrido histórico por el controvertido tema de la Práctica Basada en la Evidencia en Psicoterapia, y del movimiento de las competencias profesionales en este ámbito. Existe hoy una tendencia a localizar terapias específicas para trastornos específicos y a formar psicoterapeutas competentes para estas terapias que hayan mostrado evidencia. En el artículo se muestran los puntos frágiles de esta pretendida búsqueda de la competencia, de su enseñanza y evaluación, así como de la tan pregonada como mal interpretada "evidencia" científica (AU)

The Medical training program for residents in Psychotherapies is poor and there are just a few places in the Spanish geography where a structured program on training is developed. The Ministerial Law published in 2008 allows a specific training in Psychotherapies, as specific subspecialty, in the fourth year of the training period of the residents. The development of these Law never was done, but the reference published on the NICE Guide about a wide number of Psychotherapies could give them back the prestige they had before. We provide a historic view of the Practice- based on evidence in Psychotherapy, and the evolution of the professional competences on this field. There is a tendency to match specific therapies to specific disorders and to train competent Psychotherapists for the therapies that have proved evidences. The article shows the weak side of this pretended search of competence, its teaching, and assessment, and the widely spread and misunderstood scientific evidence (AU)

Age- and gender-related variations in hematology, clinical biochemistry, and hormones in Spanish fillies and colts.

In order to assess which laboratorial parameters need specific age- and/or gender-related reference values, hematological and biochemical profiles (including hormones) were performed in 205 Spanish foals of 5 groups: A (1-2 months; 20 fillies, 10 colts), B (2-3 months; 24 fillies, 18 colts), C (3-6 months; 25 fillies, 16 colts), D (6-9 months; 20 fillies, 23 colts) and E (9-12 months; 25 fillies, 15 colts). Additionally, 120 adult horses were sampled in order to establish baseline data for this breed in our laboratory. Group E had lower red blood cell number and mean cell volume than B, C and D, and neutrophil count was lower in A. Albumin was lower in A than in D, lactate was higher in B, C and D, CK, AST and K were higher in C. In D and E, cortisol was lower and adrenaline was higher. Urea progressively increases, whereas ALP decreases with age. Packed cell volume was higher in fillies of group A, creatinine was higher in colts of group E and fillies of groups B, C, and D had higher aldosterone than colts. In comparison to Spanish adult horses, mean cell volume, albumin, urea, CK, AST, LDH, and ALP requires specific ranges for foals.

Comparative ergoespirometric adaptations to a treadmill exercise test in untrained show Andalusian and Arabian horses.

Significant differences exist in the respiratory adaptation to exercise in different equine breeds. This research describes the ergoespirometric response to exercise of Andalusian (AN) and Arabian (A) horses, both selected according to morphological criteria. Thirteen untrained male horses (6 AN and 7 A) performed a treadmill exercise test (TET) with a slope of 6%, with workloads starting from 5 m/s and increasing 1 m/s every 3 min until the horses were not able to keep the required velocity. Tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate, minute ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), exercise time to fatigue (ETF) and respiratory aerobic threshold (RAT) were determined. AN horses presented higher TV and VE, whereas respiratory rate, VO2 and VCO2 were lower at the same velocities. RER was similar between breeds. ETF was longer in A horses (556.7 ± 66.5 in AN vs. 607.1 ± 71.1 s in A) and no significant differences were found in RAT (5.50 ± 0.50 in AN vs. 5.86 ± 1.07 m/s in A). In summary, despite the more intense ventilatory response to exercise at the same velocity, AN horses had lower VO2. The AN horse develops a more intense ventilatory response to fixed velocities than the A horse and it could be interesting to clarify the role of the locomotion characteristics in this response.

The effects of hypertonic dehydration changes on renal function and arginine vasopressin in the horse during pulling exercises.

This study investigated the effect of hypertonic dehydration on exercise in horses. Valencian draft horses (n=43) with hypertonic dehydration following water and food deprivation and competing in pulling events (COM), were compared to euhydrated horses (n=11) during a pulling exercise test (PET). Both groups were divided into bodyweight (BW) categories A (≤350 kg), B (351-450 kg), and C (≥451 kg), and pulled 2, 2.25, and 2.5 times BW, respectively. Exercise duration (ED) was 1.3±0.8 min. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature and blood samples were taken at rest, after exercise, and during the first 30 min of passive recuperation. The only difference between BW categories was the packed cell volume (PCV), which was higher after exercise in COM horses in group A (52.7±2.3%) than in B (49.3±3.4%), so the data for the three BW categories were combined. The COM horses had higher levels of resting plasma proteins, albumin, urea, creatinine, sodium and arginine vasopressin (AVP) than PET horses. Exercise induced significantly greater (P<0.05) increases in heart rate and lactate in the COM horses. AVP was negatively correlated with ED and positively with PCV, plasma proteins, albumin, urea, and sodium. Peak AVP concentrations did not differ in the two groups.

Rib fracture in a horse during an endurance race.

We describe a fatal case, in which a horse suffered a fall and as a consequence, rib fractures. Diagnosis was made postmortem and the horse died without showing clear signs of respiratory dysfunction. The retrospective reports of injuries can be important to reduce these traumatic events and to avoid fatalities.

Hematopoietic neoplasias in horses: myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Leukemia, i.e., the neoplasia of one or more cell lines of the bone marrow, although less common than in other species, it is also reported in horses. Leukemia can be classified according to the affected cells (myeloproliferative or lymphoproliferative disorders), evolution of clinical signs (acute or chronic) and the presence or lack of abnormal cells in peripheral blood (leukemic, subleukemic and aleukemic leukemia). The main myeloproliferative disorders in horses are malignant histiocytosis and myeloid leukemia, the latter being classified as monocytic and myelomonocytic, granulocytic, primary erythrocytosis or polycythemia vera and megakaryocytic leukemia. The most common lymphoproliferative disorders in horses are lymphoid leukemia, plasma cell or multiple myeloma and lymphoma. Lymphoma is the most common hematopoietic neoplasia in horses and usually involves lymphoid organs, without leukemia, although bone marrow may be affected after metastasis. Lymphoma could be classified according to the organs involved and four main clinical categories have been established: generalized-multicentric, alimentary-gastrointestinal, mediastinal-thymic-thoracic and cutaneous. The clinical signs, hematological and clinical pathological findings, results of bone marrow aspirates, involvement of other organs, prognosis and treatment, if applicable, are presented for each type of neoplasia. This paper aims to provide a guide for equine practitioners when approaching to clinical cases with suspicion of hematopoietic neoplasia.

Gender differences in non-specific immune response to exercise in the lactate threshold: a study in equine athletes.

Gender differences have not been shown in relation to the immune system in athletic horses. The aim of the present paper was to elucidate gender differences in the non-specific immune response of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), plasma glucose and in hormones before and after an exercise in the lactate threshold (LT). A group of 12 Anglo-Arabian horses (6 females and 6 males, 4-7 years old) was observed. A submaximal exercise test was carried out at the LT. The results showed that males had a higher PMN percentage, plasma glucose values, Adherence index (AI) and random migration than females. Also, females showed significant negative correlations between cortisol and catecholamines with PMN and glucose with phagocytosis, and positive ones between AI and catecholamines. In males, negative correlations were established between random migration and chemotaxis with cortisol, and positive ones between cortisol and phagocytosis.

[Bilateral renal lymphangiomatosis: conservative management]. / Linfangiomatosis renal bilateral: actitud conservadora.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphangiomatosis is a benign disease of difficult diagnosis. The bilateral form is very rare, being in some cases an incidental finding. METHODS: We report the case of a female patient with the incidental radiological diagnosis of bilateral lymphangiomatosis, who did not present symptoms in relation to the disease. RESULTS: After a meticulous study with ultrasound, abdominal CT scan and the MRI the diagnosis was asymptomatic bilateral lymphangiomatosis and expectant management was decided with good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases reported have been treated by nephrectomy for diagnosis, but in our case it was possible to do precise diagnosis adding the experience of the radiologist and the urologist and she had a good outcome with conservative management.

Linfangiomatosis renal bilateral: actitud conservadora / Bilateral renal lymphangiomatosis: conservative management

OBJETIVO: La linfangiomatosis es una enfermedad benigna pero de difícil diagnóstico. La forma bilateral es muy rara, pudiendo tratarse en algún caso de un hallazgo casual. MÉTODOS: Presentamos el caso de una paciente diagnosticada radiológicamente de linfangiomatosis bilateral de forma casual pues no presentaba síntomas derivados esta patología. RESULTADOS: Después de un estudio minucioso con ecografía, TAC-abdominal y RNM y con el diagnóstico de linfangiomatosis bilateral asintomática, se decidió actitud expectante con buena evolución posterior. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de casos descritos han recurrido a la nefrectomía para su diagnóstico, pero como en nuestro caso, es posible un diagnóstico certero con la experiencia del radiólogo y urólogo y un manejo conservador con buena evolución

OBJECTIVE: Lymphangiomatosis is a benign disease of difficult diagnosis. The bilateral form is very rare, being in some cases an incidental finding. METHODS: We report the case of a female patient with the incidental radiological diagnosis of bilateral lymphangiomatosis, who did not present symptoms in relation to the disease. RESULTS: After a meticulous study with ultrasound, abdominal CT scan and the MRI the diagnosis was asymptomatic bilateral lymphangiomatosis and expectant management was decided with good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases reported have been treated by nephrectomy for diagnosis, but in our case it was possible to do precise diagnosis adding the experience of the radiologist and the urologist and she had a good outcome with conservative management

Aplicación de competencias derivadas de la Ley de Sanidad Animal en el ámbito de la defensa / No disponible

La publicación de la Ley 8/2003 de Sanidad Animal, de 24 de Abril, ha hecho preciso que el Ministerio de Defensa redacte unas normas para la aplicación de la citada ley en el ámbito de la Defensa, las cuales se han plasmado en la Orden Ministerial 143/2006 de 30 de Noviembre. En esta Orden se especifica: el ámbito de aplicación, la dependencia de la coordinación y gestión sanitaria, las condiciones a remitir por las distintas Unidades con ganado y la responsabilidad de la ejecución de las inspecciones y controles necesarios para comprobar que en las instalaciones se cumple lo prescrito en la misma (AU)

No disponible

Organización y puesta en práctica de la reproducción asistida, periodo 2004-2005: reproducción asistida en un centro homologado de recogida de esperma en el Depósito de Sementales de Ávila. Organización y resultados / Assited reproduction in an approved center for the gathering of sperm in, the stallion farm in Avila. Organization and results

En el depósito de sementales de Ávila existe un centro homologado para la recogida de esperma que cumple todos los requisitos marcados por la Directiva 92/65/CE en lo referente a instalaciones, sementales etc. En este centro pueden ser aplicadas las diferentes biotecnologías reproductivas, siendo la de más frecuente uso la Inseminación Artificial ya sea con semen refrigerado o congelado; el empleo de esta técnica requiere un diagnostico ecográfico del momento óptimo de la inseminación y que sea aplicada con las suficientes garantías higiénicas. Los índices de preñez con semen refrigerado son similares a los obtenidos mediante el uso de la monta natural

In Avila's stallion farm, there is an approved center to gather sperm which meets all the requirements established by the European administration (92/65/CE) in relation to the installations, stallions etc. In this center all the different reproductive biotechnologies can be applied, being the most frequently used Artificial Insemination either with cooled semen or frozen semen; the use of this technique requires an ecographic diagnostic of the proximity of ovulation and it should be carried out the strictest hygienical procedures. The pregnancy rates with cooled semen are similar to those obtained during the natural service