Effects of particle size of corn and stocking densities on the performance, carcass traits and gastrointestinal tract development of Muscovy ducks in housing.

The current investigation was conducted to investigate the effects of different particle sizes of corn and stocking densities on performance, carcass traits and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development of Muscovy ducks in housing. 200 Muscovy ducks were distributed in a factorial scheme (2 × 2) where the treatments were constituted by two stocking densities (2 or 3 birds/m2) and two particle sizes of corn (6 or 8 mm), with five replicates of 10 birds each. At 1, 35, 70, and 90 days old, Muscovy ducks were slaughtered to evaluate the development of heart and GIT. Muscovy ducks managed in the density of 3 birds/m2 presented higher (P < 0.05) GIT development, performance and carcass traits regardless of age evaluated. In the same way, Muscovy ducks fed diets using a particle size of corn of 6 mm (Mean Geometric Diameter (MGD) = 781 µm) presented higher (P < 0.05) GIT development, performance and carcass traits regardless of age evaluated. Conclusively, the stocking density of 3 birds/m2 and the particle size of corn of 6 mm (MGD = 781 µm) were considered ideal recommendations for Muscovy ducks, providing higher GIT development, which resulted in better performance and carcass traits.

Effect of in ovo injection of DL-methionine on hatchability, embryo mortality, hatching weight, blood biochemical parameters and gastrointestinal tract development of breeder chicks.

The current investigation was conducted to test the potential effects of in ovo feeding of DL-methionine (MET) on hatchability, embryonic mortality, hatching weight, blood biochemical parameters and development of heart and gastrointestinal (GIT) of breeder chick embryos. 224 Rhode Island Red fertile eggs were randomly distributed into seven experimental treatments: untreated egg (control), buffered saline (0.5% NaCl), and five solutions containing increased levels of MET (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) + 0.5% NaCl, being separated into four groups/replicates (each one with 8 eggs), totaling 32 eggs/treatment. All embryos submitted to in ovo injection with MET presented a decrease in the hatchability results and an increase in the results of intermediary embryonic mortality. Chicks hatched from eggs injected with until to 1.0% MET were heavier and presented better development of the heart and GIT, especially important organs and regions for digestion and nutrient absorption. Conclusively, the in ovo feeding using MET showed positive impacts on hatching weight and GIT development of breeder chicks. However, caused negative impacts on hatchability when used at high levels.

In ovo feeding of creatine monohydrate increases performances of hatching and development in breeder chicks.

The current investigation was conducted to test the potential effects of in ovo feeding of creatine monohydrate (CMH) on hatchability, embryonic mortality, hatching weight, and development of heart and gastrointestinal tract (main organs and regions) of breeder chick embryos. Rhode Island Red fertile eggs were randomly distributed into seven experimental treatments: untreated egg (control), a sterile buffered solution (0.50% NaCl), and five solutions containing increased levels of CMH (0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00%) + 0.50% NaCl, being separated in four groups/replicates (three with 15 eggs and one with 16 eggs), totaling 61 eggs/treatment and a total of 427 fertile eggs used. All-in ovo injected groups with CMH decreased the hatchability and increased the intermediary embryonic mortality. At hatching, all-in ovo injected groups with CMH also increased the hatching weight and stimulated the development of the heart and the total length of the gastrointestinal tract, especially important organs for digestion of nutrients (yolk sac, pro-ventricle and gizzard) and regions for nutrient absorption (jejunum + ileum and colon + rectum). Conclusively, the in ovo feeding using CMH showed positive impacts on hatching weight and the development of gastrointestinal tract of chicks. However, caused negative impacts on hatchability.

Factores asociados a la anosmia y ageusia en pacientes COVID-19 de una provincia peruana

Objetivo: identificar la presentación clínica y los factores asociados a la anosmia y ageusia en pacientes con la COVID-19 en un centro de salud de una provincia del Perú en el período de 2020-2021. Métodos: estudio transversal analítico a través de los datos del programa COVID-19 del Policlínico Essalud de Jauja - Perú. Se detallaron características sociodemográficas, sintomatología y comorbilidades de los pacientes. A través de un análisis bivariado se identificó los factores asociados a la anosmia y ageusia. Resultados: se identificó a 356 pacientes: 53,1 % fueron mujeres, la edad media fue 48,7 años (±17,8) y 261 (73,3 %) con COVID-19 leve. Del total, el 22,2 % presentó anosmia y 19,9 % ageusia; de los cuales la mayoría fueron menores de 65 años y del sexo femenino. Presentaron síntomas asociados un 86,1 % de los pacientes con anosmia y un 83,1% con ageusia. Los principales factores asociados a la anosmia fueron: la edad menor a 65 años (p=0,027), tos (p<0,001), cefalea (p<0,001), disnea (p<0,001), congestión nasal (p<0,001) y fiebre (p<0,001); y a la ageusia: edad menor a 65 años (p=0,006), tos (p=0,001), cefalea (p<0,001), disnea (p<0,001), congestión nasal (p<0,001) y diarrea (p<0,001). Conclusiones: la anosmia y ageusia son síntomas frecuentes de la COVID-19. La mayoría de pacientes presentaron estos síntomas asociados a los síntomas comunes. Gran parte de los que presentaban anosmia presentaron congestión nasal por lo que es recomendable considerar diferenciarlos al momento de realizar el diagnóstico.

Summary Objective: To identify the clinical presentation and factors associated with anosmia and ageusia in patients with COVID-19 in a health center in a province of Peru for the period 2020-2021. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study through data from the COVID-19 program of the Essalud Polyclinic in Jauja, Peru. Sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms and comorbidities of the patients were detailed. A bivariate analysis identified the factors associated with anosmia and ageusia. Results: 356 patients were identified: 53.1 % were women, mean age was 48.7 years (±17.8) and 261 (73.3%) with mild COVID-19. Of the total, 22.2% had anosmia and 19.9% ageusia; of which the majority were under 65 and female. Associated symptoms were found in 86.1% of patients with anosmia and 83.1% with ageusia. The main factors associated with anosmia were age younger than 65 years (p=0.027), cough (p<0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and fever (p<0.001); and ageusia: age younger than 65 years (p=0.006), cough (p=0.001), headache (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), nasal congestion (p<0.001) and diarrhea (p<0.001). Conclusion: Anosmia and ageusia are common symptoms of COVID-19. Most patients had these symptoms associated with common symptoms. Many of those who had anosmia had nasal congestion, so it is advisable to consider differentiating them when making the diagnosis.

Evaluating the Levels of Awareness of and Attitudes on Advance Directives Among Primary Care Physicians in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: Advance directives (ADs) are legal documents designed to guarantee a patient's preference of care for the future. Primary care physicians (PCPs) have long been identified as key to promoting AD completion among patients. Furthermore, PCPs' levels of awareness of and attitudes toward ADs have been related to positive completion rates in patients. In this project, we sought to identify the levels of awareness and attitudes towards ADs in Puerto Rican PCPs. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed at primary care medical conferences in Puerto Rico (PR) to explore the levels of awareness and attitudes of PCPs on ADs. RESULTS: A total of 332 surveys were collected. Overall, PCPs in PR had high selfrated knowledge of ADs, with the highest being reported among internal medicine physicians (8.63 ± 1.51). However, this self-rating was in stark contrast with the lower than 60% level of awareness of and commitment to reading the applicable laws on ADs in PR across all specialties. Puerto Rican PCPs showed strongly positive attitudes towards ADs and recognized them as useful tools for patients, healthcare workers, and families, enabling them to make healthcare decisions. Internal medicine practitioners showed the strongest positive attitudes of all PCPs. Despite the perceived usefulness of ADs, Puerto Rican PCPs had a low predisposition to complete their own ADs in the short term. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that improvements in the education of health professionals with regard to ADs are needed to increase in physicians both their knowledge of the legal standards governing ADs and their commitment to ensuring that patients complete such directives.

Oncoxin-Viusid® may improve quality of life and survival in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer undergoing onco-specific treatments.

The aim of the present study was to identify the efficacy and safety of Oncoxin-Viusid (OV) as a supportive treatment for patients with prostate cancer (PCA). A prospective, non-randomised, open-label phase II clinical trial, including 25 patients with hormone-refractory PCA (HRPC) was conducted at the Hospital Universitario General Calixto García (Havana, Cuba) between June 2017 and March 2018. Each of the patients received chemotherapy (CTX) and/or radiotherapy (RT) and OV treatment. Patients had a mean age of 73 years, clinical stage IV cancer and a high risk of relapse. Six cycles of CTX were completed by 80% of the patients, adverse reactions decreased and no weight loss was observed. Among the 25 patients, 5 were lost to follow-up and 4 died of disease progression. A total of 16 of these patients survived, of which 15 had an improved quality of life and 10 responded to treatment, with a significant reduction in pain and prostate symptoms and ≥50% reduction in baseline PSA. The progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 59% and the overall survival (OS) rate 64% at 1 year after treatment began. The OV nutritional supplement was effective, leading to a significant improvement in the patients' quality of life, good nutritional status and greater treatment tolerance. A clinical and humoral response was observed, with high survival rates and a delayed appearance of signs of disease progression. The present study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov PRS with ID #NCT03543670.

KIT gene mutations and copy number in melanoma subtypes.

PURPOSE: We recently identified a KIT exon 11 mutation in an anorectal melanoma of a patient who had an excellent response to treatment with imatinib. To determine the frequency of KIT mutations across melanoma subtypes, we surveyed a large series of tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: One hundred eighty-nine melanomas were screened for mutations in KIT exons 11, 13, and 17. KIT copy number was assessed by quantitative PCR. A subset of cases was evaluated for BRAF and NRAS mutations. Immunohistochemistry was done to assess KIT (CD117) expression. RESULTS: KIT mutations were detected in 23% (3 of 13) of acral melanomas, 15.6% (7 of 45) of mucosal melanomas, 7.7% (1 of 13) of conjunctival melanomas, 1.7% (1 of 58) of cutaneous melanomas, and 0% (0 of 60) of choroidal melanomas. Almost all the KIT mutations were of the type predicted to be imatinib sensitive. There was no overlap with NRAS mutations (11.1% of acral and 24.3% of mucosal tumors) or with BRAF mutations (absent in mucosal tumors). Increased KIT copy number was detected in 27.3% (3 of 11) of acral and 26.3% (10 of 38) of mucosal melanomas, but was less common among cutaneous (6.7%; 3 of 45), conjunctival (7.1%; 1 of 14), and choroidal melanomas (0 of 28). CD117 expression, present in 39% of 105 tumors representing all melanoma types, did not correlate with either KIT mutation status or KIT copy number. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that KIT mutations are most common in acral and mucosal melanomas but do not necessarily correlate with KIT copy number or CD117 expression. Screening for KIT mutations may open up new treatment options for melanoma patients.

Analysis of cells targeted by Salmonella type III secretion in vivo.

The type III secretion systems (TTSS) encoded in Salmonella pathogenicity island-1 and -2 (SPI-1 and -2) are virulence factors required for specific phases of Salmonella infection in animal hosts. However, the host cell types targeted by the TTSS have not been determined. To investigate this, we have constructed translational fusions between the beta-lactamase reporter and a broad array of TTSS effectors secreted via SPI-1, SPI-2, or both. Secretion of the fusion protein to a host cell was determined by cleavage of a specific fluorescent substrate. In cultured cells, secretion of all six effectors could be observed. However, two to four days following i.p. infection of mice, only effectors secreted by SPI-2 were detected in spleen cells. The cells targeted were identified via staining with nine different cell surface markers followed by FACS analysis as well as by conventional cytological methods. The targeted cells include B and T lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells, but not mature macrophages. To further investigate replication in these various cell types, Salmonella derivatives were constructed that express a red fluorescent protein. Bacteria could be seen in each of the cell types above; however, most viable bacteria were present in neutrophils. We find that Salmonella is capable of targeting most phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells in the spleen but has a surprisingly high preference for neutrophils. These findings suggest that Salmonella specifically target splenic neutrophils presumably to attenuate their microbicidal functions, thereby promoting intracellular survival and replication in the mouse.

Absence of BRAF and NRAS mutations in uveal melanoma.

Uveal melanoma (UM) and cutaneous melanoma (CM) differ significantly in their epidemiological, clinical, immunophenotypical, and cytogenetic features, but the molecular basis for these differences has not been delineated. CMs frequently harbor an activating mutation in either NRAS or the RAS-regulated kinase BRAF, suggesting that either of these oncogenes may increase signaling through the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway and promote melanoma development. The aim of this study was to examine BRAF and NRAS gene mutations in UM. Genomic DNA from CM and UM was screened for mutations in BRAF exons 11 and 15 and NRAS exons 1 and 2 using a combination of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. Mutations in BRAF exon 15 were detected in 16 (36.4%) of 44 CMs and 0 (0%) of 62 UMs. The most common mutation in CM was V599E, but a novel point mutation (L596Q) was identified in two cases and an in-frame deletion/insertion (VKSRWK599-604D) was discovered in one case. No BRAF exon 11 mutations were observed among seven CMs and nine UMs that were wild-type for exon 15. Mutation of NRAS exon 2 was rare in CM [1 (3.7%) of 27] and absent in UM [0 (0%) of 47]. No NRAS exon 1 mutations were detected in either type of melanoma. We conclude that UMs arise independent of oncogenic BRAF and NRAS mutations, an observation that may have implications for therapies targeted to the NRAS-BRAF pathway.