La enseñanza de la Radiología en otros estudios universitarios / The teaching of Radiology in other university studies

Tras la implantación del Espacio Europeo de Formación Superior, los contenidos del Área de Radiología y Medicina Física que se impartían tradicionalmente en la Licenciatura de Medicina se han incorporado también a los nuevos grados de Odontología, Enfermería, Fisioterapia, Podología y, en menor medida, Farmacia, Terapia Ocupacional, Logopedia, e Ingeniería Biomédica. En su conjunto, los conceptos básicos de radiología y protección radiológica se imparten en Murcia en 5 grados diferentes con un total de 52,5 créditos ECTS, participando en la formación de 1219 alumnos cada curso académico. Esta incorporación en los nuevos grados ha triplicado el número de asignaturas en las que se imparte docencia pregrado, y duplicado tanto el número de créditos ECTS como el número de alumnos de pregrado a los que dirige su labor de formación. Así, ante la posible creación de nuevos grados universitarios en un futuro próximo (Imagen para el Diagnóstico y Técnico en Radioterapia) sería necesaria la implicación de un mayor número de profesionales acreditados, de diferentes especialidades, y que optimicen los recursos docentes (bibliografía, material docente, casos clínicos, etc.) para su utilidad en las diferentes asignaturas que comparten contenidos similares.(AU)

After the implementation of the European Space for Higher Education, the contents of the Radiology and Physical Medicine Area that were taught in the Medicine Degree have also been incorporated into the new degrees of Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and, to a lesser extent, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Logopedia, and Biomedical Engineering As a whole, the basic concepts of radiology and radiological protection are taught in Murcia in 5 different degrees with a total of 52.5 ECTS credits, participating in the training of 1,219 students each academic year. This incorporation in the new degrees has tripled the number of subjects in which undergraduate teaching is taught, and doubled both the number of ECTS credits and the number of undergraduate students to whom it directs its training work. Thus, given the possible creation of new university degrees in the near future (Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Technicians), it would be necessary to involve a greater number of accredited professionals, from different specialties, and to optimize teaching resources (bibliography, material teacher, clinical cases, etc.) for its usefulness in the different subjects that share similar contents.(AU)

The teaching of Radiology in other university studies.

After the implementation of the European Space for Higher Education, the contents of the Radiology and Physical Medicine Area that were taught in the Medicine Degree have also been incorporated into the new degrees of Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and, to a lesser extent, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Logopedia, and Biomedical Engineering As a whole, the basic concepts of radiology and radiological protection are taught in Murcia in 5 different degrees with a total of 52.5 ECTS credits, participating in the training of 1219 students each academic year. This incorporation in the new degrees has tripled the number of subjects in which undergraduate teaching is taught, and doubled both the number of ECTS credits and the number of undergraduate students to whom it directs its training work. Thus, given the possible creation of new university degrees in the near future (Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Technicians), it would be necessary to involve a greater number of accredited professionals, from different specialties, and to optimize teaching resources (bibliography, material teacher, clinical cases, etc.,) for its usefulness in the different subjects that share similar contents.

Yield of white clover and orchard grass cultivated in mining passives adding black earth and compost as a substrate.

Mining environmental liabilities generate environmental pollution. The objective of the present study was to determine the yield of white clover (Trifolium repens) and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) cultivated in mining environmental passives adding black earth and compost as a substrate in the Buenaventura Julcani Huancavelica Company. The treatments were the combinations: 4: 3.1: 3.1: 3:1.1 kg of RP: RP, TN: RP, C: RP, TN, C respectively. They were distributed in four treatments with twelve experimental units for each species of leguminous and gramineous grass, we worked according to the completely randomized design (DCA) with a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement, the experimental unit being a treatment with twelve repetitions. The variables evaluated were: germination percentage (TG) and stem survival percentage (TST). For the statistical analysis, the SPSS software was used.

Sonography of monkeypox cutaneous lesions.

The present global outbreak of monkeypox has reached more than 79,000 cases by November 2022. While clinical features have been extensively studied, ultrasound findings in monkeypox skin lesions have not been described to date. In our work, we performed a complete sonographic study with Doppler and elastography of 3 patients with polymerase chain reaction-proven monkeypox. The most characteristic findings in skin lesions were hyperechoic epidermal thickening, dermo-hypodermal thickening with focal hypoechogenicity and increased intralesional vascularization. Regarding lymphadenopathies, we found vascularization of hilar distribution and an increased cortical stiffness and shoft hiliar area.

Impacto de la patología psiquiátrica en el pronóstico y supervivencia de los varones con cáncer de próstata tratados mediante prostatectomía radical / The impact of psychiatric pathology on the prognosis and survival of men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy

Introducción y objetivo: La ansiedad específica del cáncer (CSA) es la reacción psicológica más frecuente tras la prostatectomía radical (PR). Evaluamos la prevalencia de la patología psiquiátrica pretratamiento de cáncer de próstata mediante PR e identificamos la influencia de los diagnósticos psiquiátricos en la supervivencia y pronóstico en los pacientes. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico observacional, 1.078 varones intervenidos mediante PR por cáncer de próstata órgano-confinado. Grupos: GP: pacientes con patología psiquiátrica previa a la PR; GNP: pacientes sin patología psiquiátrica previa a la PR, variables urológicas, oncológicas y psiquiátricas, estadística descriptiva y análisis multivariante. Resultados El 37,94% presentó algún diagnóstico psiquiátrico. Fue necesario tratamiento adyuvante de radioterapia (RT) en 27,83% y hormonoterapia (HT) en 23,38%; más frecuentes en GP. La supervivencia cáncer-específica fue superior en GNP. La ansiedad, depresión, insomnio, tabaquismo, psicosis y alcoholismo fueron los más frecuentes. La baja estadificación Tumor-Ganglios-Metástasis (TNM) y poca presencia de síntomas del tracto urinario inferior (STUI) e incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE) incrementó la probabilidad de ausencia de patología psiquiátrica. En GP aumentó la fatiga, disfunción eréctil y deterioro cognitivo tras la PR junto con RT y/o HT. A mayor edad y mayor antígeno prostático específico (PSA) al diagnóstico, aumentó el riesgo relativo de patología psiquiátrica y peor evolución. Los factores más relacionados fueron la PR, PSA, la edad y el tiempo de supervivencia. Conclusiones La patología psiquiátrica está presente en pacientes tratados mediante PR debido a cáncer de próstata, teniendo alto impacto en los resultados de supervivencia y pronóstico (AU)

Introduction and Objective: Cancer-specific anxiety is the most frequently reported psychological response after radical prostatectomy (RP). We evaluated the prevalence of pretreatment psychiatric pathology in patients with prostate cancer undergoing RP and identified the effects of psychiatric diagnoses on their survival and prognosis. Material and Methods Retrospective multicenter observational study including 1078 men treated with RP for organ-confined prostate cancer. Groups: GP: patients with psychiatric pathology prior to RP; GNP: patients without psychiatric pathology prior to RP. Urological, oncological and psychiatric variables, descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were included. Results 37.94% of patients presented a psychiatric diagnosis. Adjuvant radiotherapy was required in 27.83% and hormone therapy in 23.38%; being more frequent in GP. Cancer-specific survival was higher in GNP. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, smoking, psychosis and alcoholism were the most frequent. Low TNM and low presence of LUTS and SUI increased the probability of absence of psychiatric pathology. Fatigue, erectile dysfunction and cognitive impairment after RP with RT and/or HT were higher in GP. Older age and higher PSA at diagnosis increased the relative risk of psychiatric pathology and worse outcome. The most frequently related factors were RP, PSA, age and survival time. Conclusions Psychiatric pathology is present in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, with a high impact on survival and prognostic outcomes (AU)

The impact of psychiatric pathology on the prognosis and survival of men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Cancer-specific anxiety is the most frequently reported psychological response after radical prostatectomy (RP). We evaluated the prevalence of pretreatment psychiatric pathology in patients with prostate cancer undergoing RP and identified the effects of psychiatric diagnoses on their survival and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter observational study including 1078 men treated with RP for organ-confined prostate cancer. Groups: GP: patients with psychiatric pathology prior to RP; GNP: patients without psychiatric pathology prior to RP. Urological, oncological and psychiatric variables, descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were included. RESULTS: 37.94% of patients presented a psychiatric diagnosis. Adjuvant radiotherapy was required in 27.83% and hormone therapy in 23.38%; being more frequent in GP. Cancer-specific survival was higher in GNP. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, smoking, psychosis and alcoholism were the most frequent. Low TNM and low presence of LUTS and SUI increased the probability of absence of psychiatric pathology. Fatigue, erectile dysfunction and cognitive impairment after RP with RT and/or HT were higher in GP. Older age and higher PSA at diagnosis increased the relative risk of psychiatric pathology and worse outcome. The most frequently related factors were RP, PSA, age and survival time. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric pathology is present in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, with a high impact on survival and prognostic outcomes.

Angiomiolipoma renal y complejo esclerosis tuberosa: resultados a largo plazo en seguridad y eficacia de terapia con everolimus / Renal angiomyolipoma and tuberous sclerosis complex: long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of Everolimus therapy

Introducción: El angiomiolipoma renal (AMLr) es una manifestación frecuente del complejo de esclerosis tuberosa (CET), estableciéndose, recientemente, el tratamiento con everolimus, como opción terapeútica novedosa, alternativa y no invasiva; sin embargo, existen datos limitados en la vida real y a largo plazo, por ello, el análisis de nuestra experiencia, en materia de seguridad y eficacia, aporta un valor añadido.Material y métodosSe realiza un análisis descriptivo de nuestra experiencia en pacientes con AMLr bilaterales gigantes, en el contexto de CET, tratados con 10 mg por vía oral de everolimus diario, durante una mediana de 71,5 meses. Evaluamos los parámetros como: tasa y duración de la respuesta; reducción del volumen renal y las lesiones; prevención de complicaciones, toxicidad presentada y causa.ResultadosConfirmamos la efectividad del tratamiento en cuatro pacientes jóvenes, con AMLr renales bilaterales, múltiples, de 12 (5 a 19) cm de diámetro máximo como mediana, desde junio del 2013 hasta la actualidad, con una reducción continua del tamaño de las lesiones, descenso del 30% del volumen, en el 75% al sexto mes y del 50% en la mitad de los sujetos después dos años, permaneciendo aún en respuesta. No se presentaron complicaciones como sangrado o deterioro del filtrado glomerular a largo plazo, con un perfil de seguridad favorable, sin interrupciones y con efectos adversos no acumulativos leves a moderados, en su mayoría durante el primer año de tratamiento.ConclusiónEverolimus es una opción terapéutica segura y eficaz para el AMLr y para diversas manifestaciones del CET, que se reproduce en la vida real, con seis años de seguimiento. (AU)

Introduction: Renal angiomyolipoma is a frequent manifestation of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), for which everolimus therapy has been recently established as a novel non-invasive therapeutic option. As there are limited real life and long-term data, the analysis of our experience provides added value in terms of safety and efficacy.Material and methodsDescriptive analysis of our experience in patients with giant bilateral renal angiomyolipomas, in the context of TSC, treated with 10 mg oral everolimus daily, during a median of 71.5 months. We evaluated the following parameters: response rate and duration, reduction of kidney size and lesions, prevention of complications and presentation of toxicity and its cause.ResultsWe confirm the effectiveness of treatment in 4 young patients, with multiple, bilateral angiomyolipomas of a median of 12 (5-19) cm maximum diameter, from June 2013 to date, after continuous reduction in lesion size, a decrease of 30% of the volume in 75% at six months and 50% in half of the subjects at two years, still showing drug response. Absence of complications such as bleeding or glomerular filtration rate decline in the long term, with a favorable safety profile, without interruptions and with mild-moderate, non-cumulative adverse effects, mostly within the first year of treatment.ConclusionEverolimus is a safe and effective therapeutic option for renal angiomyolipoma and various manifestations of TSC, which has been reproduced in real life with six years of follow-up. (AU)

Renal angiomyolipoma and tuberous sclerosis complex: long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of Everolimus therapy. / Angiomiolipoma renal y complejo esclerosis tuberosa: resultados a largo plazo en seguridad y eficacia de terapia con everolimus.

INTRODUCTION: Renal angiomyolipoma is a frequent manifestation of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), for which everolimus therapy has been recently established as a novel non-invasive therapeutic option. As there are limited real life and long-term data, the analysis of our experience provides added value in terms of safety and efficacy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of our experience in patients with giant bilateral renal angiomyolipomas, in the context of TSC, treated with 10 mg oral everolimus daily, during a median of 71.5 months. We evaluated the following parameters: response rate and duration, reduction of kidney size and lesions, prevention of complications and presentation of toxicity and its cause. RESULTS: We confirm the effectiveness of treatment in 4 young patients, with multiple, bilateral angiomyolipomas of a median of 12 (5-19) cm maximum diameter, from June 2013 to date, after continuous reduction in lesion size, a decrease of 30% of the volume in 75% at six months and 50% in half of the subjects at two years, still showing drug response. Absence of complications such as bleeding or glomerular filtration rate decline in the long term, with a favorable safety profile, without interruptions and with mild-moderate, non-cumulative adverse effects, mostly within the first year of treatment. CONCLUSION: Everolimus is a safe and effective therapeutic option for renal angiomyolipoma and various manifestations of TSC, which has been reproduced in real life with six years of follow-up.

Impact of organ confined prostate cancer treatment on quality of life. / Impacto en la calidad de vida del tratamiento del cáncer de próstata organoconfinado.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common male cancer in the world. Its incidence is estimated to grow to 1.7 million new cases and 499,000 new deaths by 2030. Treatment of OCPC can affect patients physically and mentally, as well as their close relationships and their job or career, which conditions health-related quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact on QoL attributable to the treatment for Organ Confined Prostate Cancer (OCPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective multicenter observational study of 406 patients with OCPC treated from January 2015 to June 2018. The sample was divided into four study groups, according to the type of treatment: radical prostatectomy (RP) (GA), external radiotherapy (ERT) (GB), brachytherapy (BT) (GC) and other treatments different from monotherapy with RP, ERT or BT (GD). RESULTS: The age in GC was lower, the mean Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) of all patients was 8.13 ng/ml, the group with the highest mean PSA was GB with a mean of 10.43 ng/dL, the mean Tumor Stage (TNM) was 3.82, and GD had the lowest post treatment quality of life. CONCLUSION: OCPC treatment affects QoL. Curative monotherapies, specifically RP and BT, have less effect on QoL than external radiotherapy or other therapeutic alternatives. Urinary incontinence and fistulas secondary to OCPC have the highest impact on QOL impairment. The internationally validated SF 36 questionnaire is a useful cross-sectional measure of QOL to compare the impact of OCPC treatment modalities.

1p36 is a chromosomal site of genomic instability in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

We investigated the association between progressive stages of cervical neoplasia and DNA damage in 1p36 DNA sequences of chromosome 1 in cervical epithelium using DNA breakage detection/fluorescence in situ hybridization (DBD-FISH). We used a hospital based unmatched case control study of 29 women that were grouped according to disease stage and selected according to histological diagnosis: 10 with low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LG-SILs), 10 with high grade SILs (HG-SILs) and nine with no cervical lesions; the 1pter sequence was used as internal control. We found a significant increase in the number of patients with HG-SIL compared to patients with LG-SILs or with no cervical lesions. 1p36 Genomic instability was validated by DBD-FISH using neutral comets. Genetic instability at specific gene loci, such as 1p36, might be characteristic of cervical cancer progression. DBD-FISH appears to be a useful approach for detecting and comparing damage to specific chromosomal regions related to the progression of cervical cancer.

Current status of radiological protection in endourological procedures in Spain. / Estado actual de la protección radiológica en procedimientos endourológicos en España.

OBJECTIVE: To discover the extent of training in radiological protection (RP) of Spanish urologists who perform endourological procedures, and to analyse the use of on ionising radiation control and protection measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey conducted through the Plataforma de Investigación de Estudios Multicéntricos (PIEM) (Multicentre Study Research Platform) on the 1,894 associates of the Spanish Association of Urology, between April and October 2015. The questionnaire comprised 21 questions on endourological activity undertaken, RP training, and the use of protective measures, and personal dosimetry. Seventeen percent responded, and 238 surveys were eventually validated for study. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the respondents had received no type of RP training, 25% had first level accreditation, and only 12% second level. Fifty-seven percent, 27%, and 2% of the urologists used flap, wrist and crystalline dosimetry respectively. Use of radiation protection measures was insufficient. Fifty-three percent of the urologists at greatest risk of exposure had had no training in RP, 30% did not use flap dosimetry, and 40% used neither an apron or thyroid collar during the endourological procedures. CONCLUSIONS: RP training, dosis monitoring, and the use of ionising radiation protective measures are insufficient, even by practitioners most exposed to radiation. It is essential that these serious shortcomings in RP are corrected, at the level of the individual, in urology departments, scientific societies, and the health authorities.

[Ivermectin as an adjunct in the treatment of refractory epilepsy]. / Ivermectina como coadyuvante en la epilepsia refractaria.

INTRODUCTION: Ivermectin, a 22'23 dihydro derivative of avermectins beta-1a, is a highly effective veterinary and human anti parasitic, used to treat endoparasites of difficult control such as filariasis and onchocerciasis, with a median plasma life of at least of 16 hours. The recommended therapeutic doses range from 0.05 to 0.40 mg/kg, without undesirable effects or risk to human life. It went from being a great success in animal health to its application in humans, where it has had great impact. Studies in basic sciences have shown that ivermectin has anticonvulsive effects in different epileptic animal models, where five different mechanisms of action have been described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive, prospective observational study, performed between 2013 and 2015, with 32 refractory epileptic patients, who received ivermectin as an a dose of adjunctive treatment of 10 mg/day three or seven times a week, controlled every three months, followed by 12-24 months, without withdrawal of anticonvulsant medications that they received previously. RESULTS: Progressively, patients entered into crisis control, at the end of the programmed follow-up period, the total percentage of crisis reduction was 97%, of which 57% did not return to crisis from the beginning of treatment, all patients being free of crisis according to International League Against Epilepsy criteria. CONCLUSION: Ivermectin has been useful as an adjuvant, achieving a significant decrease in seizures in this group of drug resistant patients.

TITLE: Ivermectina como coadyuvante en la epilepsia refractaria.Introduccion. La ivermectina es un 22'23 dihidroderivado de las avermectinas beta-1a, un antiparasitario de uso veterinario y humano de gran eficacia, utilizado para tratar endoparasitos de dificil control, como la filariasis y la oncocercosis. Tiene una vida media plasmatica de al menos 16 horas. Las dosis terapeuticas recomendadas varian entre 0,05 y 0,40 mg/kg, sin efectos indeseados ni riesgo para la vida humana. Paso de ser un gran exito en sanidad animal a su aplicacion en seres humanos, donde ha tenido gran impacto. Estudios en ciencias basicas han demostrado que la ivermectina tiene efectos anticonvulsionantes en diferentes modelos animales epilepticos, donde se han descritos cinco diferentes mecanismos de accion. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio descriptivo, observacional prospectivo, realizado entre 2013 y 2015, con 32 pacientes epilepticos refractarios, quienes recibieron ivermectina como tratamiento coadyuvante en dosis de 10 mg/dia, tres o siete veces por semana, controlados cada tres meses, seguidos durante 12-24 meses, sin retirada de los medicamentos anticonvulsionantes que recibian previamente. Resultados. Progresivamente, los pacientes entraron en control de las crisis. Al final del periodo de seguimiento programado, el porcentaje total de reduccion de las crisis fue del 97%. El 57% de estos pacientes no volvio a presentar crisis desde el inicio del tratamiento, y todos los pacientes se encontraron libres de crisis segun los criterios de la Liga Internacional contra la Epilepsia. Conclusion. La ivermectina ha sido util como coadyuvante y ha logrado una significativa disminucion de crisis en este grupo de pacientes farmacorresistentes.

Radiología médico-legal: un dilema ético para el técnico en radiología / Medical-legal radiology: an ethical dilemma for radiology technician / Radiologia médico-legal: um dilema ético para o técnico de Radiologia

Resumen: Las exploraciones radiológicas médico-legales incluyen exposiciones médicas a radiaciones que se realizan por orden judicial a una persona que no está enferma. El técnico o tecnólogo médico en radiología tiene el deber de minimizar las dosis a pacientes y a la población en su conjunto; por ello, realizar este tipo de exploraciones entra en conflicto con las máximas de la protección radiológica y de su código ético. Presentamos un estudio de revisión donde se analiza si estas prácticas médicas son contrarias a la ética profesional del técnico en radiología.

Abstract: The medico-legal, radiological examinations include those medical exposures to radiation conducted by court order a person who is not sick. The radiologic technologist has a duty to minimize the dose to patients and the population as a whole, therefore, make this type of exploration conflicts with the maximum of Radiation Protection and its ethical code. We present a review study where we analyze whether these medical practices are contrary to professional ethics of the Radiologic technologist.

Resumo: As explorações radiológicas médico-legais incluem aquelas exposições médicas a radiações que se realizam por ordem judicial a uma pessoa que não está doente. O técnico ou tecnólogo médico em radiologia tem o dever de minimizar a dose para os pacientes e a população como um todo; portanto, realizar este tipo de exploração entra em conflito com os princípios da proteção radiológica e de seu código de ética. Apresentamos um estudo de revisão no qual analisamos se estas práticas médicas são contrárias à ética profissional do técnico em radiologia.

The presence of human papillomavirus in semen does not affect the integrity of sperm DNA.

It remains unknown whether human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in semen affect sperm DNA integrity. We investigated whether the presence of these viruses in semen was associated with an elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index. Semen samples of 22 normozoospermic patients undergoing infertility treatment, nine fertile donors and seven fertile men with a risk of HPV infection (genital warts or condylomas) were included in the study. The samples were examined by an INNO-LiPA test PCR-based reverse hybridisation array that identifies 28 types of HPVs as simple or multiple infections. Sperm DNA integrity was determined by sperm chromatin dispersion assay (SCD). Our preliminary findings demonstrate an increase in HPV infection in infertile men with respect to fertile men. However, the sperm DNA fragmentation index was not increased in semen containing these viruses.

The Rb1 tumour suppressor gene modifies telomeric chromatin architecture by regulating TERRA expression.

The tumour suppressor gene (Rb1) is necessary for the maintenance of telomere integrity in osteoblastic cells. We now show that the compaction of telomeric chromatin and the appropriate histone modifications of telomeric DNA are both dependent upon Rb1-mediated transcription of the telomere-derived long non-coding RNA TERRA. Expression of TERRA was reduced in Rb1 haploinsufficient cells, and further decreased by shRNA-mediated reduction of residual Rb1 expression. Restoration of Rb1 levels through lentiviral transduction was sufficient to reestablish both transcription of TERRA and condensation of telomeric chromatin. The human chromosome 15q TERRA promoter contains predicted retinoblastoma control elements, and was able to confer Rb1-dependent transcription upon a promoterless reporter gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed preferential binding of phosphorylated over non-phosphorylated Rb1 at the TERRA promoter. As Rb1-deficient cells show increased genomic instability we suggest that this novel non-canonical action of Rb1 may contribute to the tumour suppressive actions of Rb1.

The assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation in the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).

Herein we report a method of assessing DNA fragmentation in the saltwater crocodile using the sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCDt) after including frozen-thawed spermatozoa in a microgel (Halomax; Halotech DNA, Madrid, Spain). Following controlled protein depletion, which included a reducing agent, sperm nuclei with fragmented DNA showed a homogeneous and larger halo of chromatin dispersion with a corresponding reduced nucleoid core compared with sperm with non-fragmented DNA. The presence of DNA damage was confirmed directly by incorporation of modified nucleotides using in situ nick translation (ISNT) and indirectly by studying the correlation of the SCDt with the results of DNA damage visualisation using a two-tailed comet assay (r=0.90; P=0.037). Results of the SCDt immediately following thawing and after 5h incubation at 37°C in order to induce a range of DNA damage revealed individual crocodile differences in both the baseline level of DNA damage and DNA longevity.

Δ6-fatty acid desaturase and fatty acid elongase mRNA expression, phagocytic activity and weight-to-length relationships in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fed alternative diets with soy oil and a probiotic.

A time-course feeding trial was conducted for 120 days on juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to study the effects of diets differing in oil source (fish oil or soy oil) and supplementation with a commercial probiotic. Relative levels of Δ6-fatty acid desaturase (Δ6-FAD) and fatty acid elongase (FAE) expression were assessed in brain and liver tissues. Both genes showed similar expression levels in all groups studied. Fish weight-to-length relationships were evaluated using polynomial regression analyses, which identified a burst in weight and length in the channel catfish on day 105 of treatment; this increase was related to an increase in gene expression. Mid-intestinal lactic acid bacterium (LAB) count was determined according to morphological and biochemical criteria using API strips. There was no indication that intestinal LAB count was affected by the modified diets. The Cunningham glass adherence method was applied to evaluate phagocytic cell activity in peripheral blood. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was assessed through the respiratory burst activity of spleen macrophages by the NBT reduction test. Probiotic-supplemented diets provided a good substrate for innate immune system function; the phagocytic index was significantly enhanced in fish fed soy oil and the probiotic, and at the end of the experimental period, ROS production increased in fish fed soy oil. The substitution of fish oil by soy oil is recommended for food formulation and will contribute to promoting sustainable aquaculture. Probiotics are also recommended for channel catfish farming as they may act as immunonutrients.

Background elimination and interferometric capability in optical coherence tomography by a nonlinear optical gating based on type-II second-harmonic generation.

A novel method that uses nonlinear optical gating to control background illumination in optical coherence tomography is presented. With this method, the user can adjust the amount of undesired backscattering or eliminate it completely, which enables dark-field measurements. The interferometric capability of the method in a nonlinear optical regime is demonstrated with the coupling of three overlapping input waves to yield Fizeau fringes. The measurement of a 265 nm step is performed to validate this method, which was originally conceived for 3D MEMS characterization.