Pregnancy maintenance following sequential induced prostaglandin pulses in beef cows.

The relationship between the maternal endocrine environment and late embryonic mortality (> 28 d of gestation) in cattle is poorly defined. A definitive rise and alterations in secretion patterns of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) concentration without luteal regression is a trademark of this period. The objective was to evaluate whether consecutively induced PGF2α pulses would alter steroid hormone production and luteal blood perfusion potentially influencing pregnancy success. Pregnant beef cows (n = 12) were selected to receive either an oxytocin injection (OT, n = 8) or saline injection (CON, n = 4) on d 30 and 31 of gestation to stimulate sequential prostaglandin releases 24 h apart. Blood samples were collected every 30 min for 1 h before and continuing for 4 h post oxytocin administration. Luteal blood perfusion was measured via Doppler ultrasound at the beginning and end of the OT challenge. Concentrations of prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM) were quantified to show effectiveness of the treatment while concentrations of progesterone, estradiol and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) were measured to examine the effect of PGF2α release. Control animals exhibited no changes in any quantified hormone and an expected numerical increase in circulating PAG concentrations. Peak concentrations of PGFM in OT cows were observed 2 h post OT administration and concentrations returned to basal levels by the end of the sampling period. Peak concentrations of PGFM were decreased on d 31 compared to d 30. Following OT administration, progesterone and estradiol concentrations did not change in response to PGF2α release but were decreased on d 31 compared to d 30. There were no changes in luteal blood perfusion in response to PGF release on d 30 or d 31. Repeated PGF2α release may alter steroid hormone production; however, it does not negatively affect pregnancy status during the transition between early and late embryonic development.

Induced prostaglandin release alters steroid concentrations but not pregnancy survival in cows.

Embryonic mortality (EM) is a major factor limiting reproductive efficiency in cattle, and despite negative connotations related to reproductive performance, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is capable of being released by the uterus by Day 30 of gestation. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate differences in PGF2α release after an oxytocin challenge between cows with high circulating concentrations of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) vs low PAG because of the association of increased PAG concentrations with pregnancy success. At Day 30 of gestation, pregnant cows were divided into oxytocin treatment (OT; n = 13) and control (CON; n = 12) groups. Treatment cows were further subdivided by circulating PAG concentration (high PAG, n = 7; and low PAG, n = 6). Blood samples were collected every 30 min beginning 1 h before oxytocin administration and continuing for 4 h. Prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM), progesterone, estradiol-17ß (E2), and PAG concentrations were quantified. The peak concentration of PGFM occurred 2 h after oxytocin injection in treatment animals and returned to baseline levels by 4 h. No correlations were observed between PAG and PGFM, progesterone, or E2 concentrations (P > 0.05). There was no difference in initial or final PGFM concentrations between groups (P > 0.05). Progesterone and E2 concentrations decreased in cows after treatment of oxytocin (P < 0.05); however, only progesterone returned to basal concentrations by the end of the sampling period. In summary, cows with high vs low PAG concentrations at Day 30 of gestation have a similar PGFM response to oxytocin challenge.

Uso de perifiton en un sistema de policultivo en agro acuicultura integrada en la comunidad indígena de Jimaín, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia) / Periphyton-based polyculture in an integrated agri-aquaculture system at the indigenous community of Jimaín, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia)

RESUMEN Los Sistemas de Agro Acuicultura Integrada (SAAI) han sido estudiados como opción para la producción de pescado en comunidades con recursos limitados. Así mismo, el uso de perifiton se ha convertido recientemente en una alternativa viable por el aporte de alimento natural de bajo costo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del perifiton sobre el desempeño productivo del policultivo Piaractus sp. (cachama híbrida) y Prochilodus magdalenae (bocachico) en SAAI en la comunidad Indígena de Jimaín, Colombia. Se sembraron 1,5 alevinos de cachama híbrida y 1,5 bocachicos/m2, con peso promedio de 0,49 ± 0,14 g y 1,83 ±1,61 g respectivamente, en seis estaques en tierra de 90 m2 tres de los cuales contaron con varas de madera (3 varas/m2) para la fijación de perifiton. La duración del cultivo fue de 135 días. Los tratamientos (CS: con sustrato y SS: sin sustratos) recibieron una dieta suplementaria dos veces al día, calculada como porcentaje de la biomasa con ajuste quincenal. Se realizaron biometrías quincenales. Los datos productivos por especie y para el policultivo se evaluaron mediante ANOVA con un modelo lineal general (p < 0,05). Los datos de peso (g) y longitud estándar (cm) por especie se evaluaron mediante un modelo mixto de medidas repetidas. No se encontraron efectos del sustrato sobre los parámetros productivos analizados tanto para cada especie, como para el policultivo. Se presentó interacción significativa para el peso del bocachico el día 90 (CS: 74,7 y SS: 47,1). Según los resultados obtenidos, la utilización de perifiton y el manejo en policultivo de especies nativas requiere más estudios.

ABSTRACT Integrated agri-aquaculture systems (IAAS) have been studied as an option for fish production in communities with limited resources. Likewise, the use of periphyton has recently become a viable alternative for its contribution of low-cost natural food. The effect of periphyton use on the productive yield of a hybrid cachama and bocachico polyculture in IAAS, was studied in the Jimaín Indigenous community, Colombia. For this experiment, 1.5 hybrid cachama and 1.5 bocachico fingerlings/m2 were stocked with average weights of 0.49 ± 0.14 g and 1.83 ± 1.61 g, respectively, in six 90 m2 land ponds; three of these ponds had wooden dowels (three dowels/m2) for periphyton fixation. The growth evaluation lasted 135 days. The treatments (WS: with substrate and WOS: without substrates) received a supplementary diet, adjusted as a percentage of the biomass with biweekly adjustment, twice a day. Biometrics were performed every two weeks. The productive data by species and for the polyculture were evaluated using an ANOVA with a general linear model (p <0.05). Weight (g) and standard length (cm) data by species were evaluated using a mixed model of repeated measures. No substrate effects were found on the productive parameters analyzed for each species as well as for the polyculture. A significant interaction was observed for bocachico weight on day 90 (WS: 74.7 and WOS: 47.1). According to the obtained results, optimizing the use of periphyton and the management of native species polyculture requires further studies.

Using pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) for pregnancy detection at day 24 of gestation in beef cattle.

The objective of this experiment was to determine if circulating concentrations of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) on day 24 of gestation can be utilized to diagnose pregnancy and embryo viability in beef cattle. Postpartum beef cows (n = 677) and heifers (n = 127) were exposed to a 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR estrus synchronization protocol followed by fixed-time AI (FTAI) on day 0. Blood samples were collected at day 24 after TAI to assess circulating concentrations of PAG utilizing an in-house ELISA. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 and 100 days after FTAI via transrectal ultrasonography. Mean circulating PAG concentration at day 24 differed (P < 0.001) between animals diagnosed pregnant and non-pregnant at day 30 (1.69 ±â€¯0.10 ng/mL vs 0.30 ng/mL ±â€¯0.07 ng/mL; mean ±â€¯SEM; respectively). Pregnant heifers had increased PAG concentration at day 24 compared with pregnant cows (P < 0.01; 3.29 ±â€¯0.36 ng/mL vs 1.39 ±â€¯0.10 ng/mL, respectively). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, serum concentration of PAG at day 24 ≥ 0.33 ng/mL in cows and ≥0.54 ng/mL in heifers was 95% accurate at determining pregnancy status at day 30. Heifers that experienced late embryonic mortality between day 30 and 100 of gestation had decreased circulating concentrations of PAG on day 24 (2.02 ng/mL ±â€¯0.73) compared with heifers that maintained an embryo until day 100 (3.69 ng/mL ±â€¯0.39; P = 0.02). However, there was no difference in day 24 PAG concentration (P = 0.39) between cows that maintained or lost a pregnancy (1.31 ng/mL ±â€¯0.25 vs 0.92 ng/ml ±â€¯0.50). In summary, circulating PAG concentration on day 24 of gestation may be a useful marker for early pregnancy detection in beef cattle, and might be a potential marker for predicting embryonic loss.

Pregnancy loss in beef cattle: A meta-analysis.

Pregnancy loss in beef cattle causes both management and economic challenges to a producer. A meta-analysis was conducted to quantify reproductive failures that occur during fertilization, early embryonic development, and late embryonic/early fetal development periods of gestation in beef cattle. The meta-analysis included more than 56,000 diagnostic records in 159 studies from 48 papers with 12 studies included in fertilization and pre- blastocyst loss analysis (FERT; days 1-7 of gestation), 107 in early embryo (EEM; days 7-32), and 40 in late embryo/early fetal period (LEF; days 32-100) analysis. Although fertilization rates are reportedly high in beef cattle, significant developmental failure occurs within the first 7 days of gestation. Approximately 28.4 % of embryos will not develop past day 7 of gestation with most embryonic losses occurring before day 4. By the conclusion of the first month of gestation, 47.9 % of cows submitted to a single insemination at day 0 will not be pregnant. Overall, LEF between days 32-60 and 100 was 5.8 %. Bos indicus animals had greater (P = 0.001) EEM compared to Bos taurus, but there was no difference (P = 0.39) for the LEF period between subspecies. Primiparous cows had greater EEM (P = 0.002) compared to nulliparous heifers and multiparous cows; and nulliparous heifers had a greater LEF compared to primiparous and multiparous cows (P = 0.048). Collectively, these cumulative findings provide a baseline assessment of pregnancy loss specific to beef cattle.

Gas flow and accretion via spiral streamers and circumstellar disks in a young binary protostar.

The majority of stars are part of gravitationally bound stellar systems, such as binaries. Observations of protobinary systems constrain the conditions that lead to stellar multiplicity and subsequent orbital evolution. We report high-angular resolution observations of the circumbinary disk around [BHB2007] 11, a young binary protostar system. The two protostars are embedded in circumstellar disks that have radii of 2 to 3 astronomical units and probably contain a few Jupiter masses. These systems are surrounded by a complex structure of filaments connecting to the larger circumbinary disk. We also observe accretion and radio jets associated with the protobinary system. The accretion is preferentially onto the lower-mass protostar, consistent with theoretical predictions.

Pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and pregnancy loss in high vs sub fertility heifers.

Reproductive inefficiency and infertility are major financial burdens to domestic livestock. Variables associated with these reproductive losses during early gestation include contributions from the oocyte, uterus, sperm, embryo and placenta. Bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) are produced by the binucleate cells of the ruminant placenta and can be used to diagnose pregnancy. Increased circulating concentrations of PAG early in gestation have been correlated with pregnancy success and decreased concentrations are predictive of impending embryonic mortality in both beef and dairy cattle. The objectives of the current study were to determine whether: 1) heifer fertility status is associated with circulating concentrations of PAG and pregnancy loss; and 2) PAG concentrations within the same animal are repeatable across multiple pregnancies. We hypothesized maternal PAG concentrations would be increased in high fertility compared to subfertile heifers but not repeatable across subsequent pregnancies in the same heifer. Serial embryo transfer (ET; n = 4 rounds) was used to classify predominately Angus heifers (n = 92) as highly fertile (HF = 30; 100% pregnancy success) or subfertile (SF = 62; average = 33%; range = 25-75% pregnancy success) based on day 28 ultrasound diagnosis. Blood samples were collected at both day 28 and 44 for quantification of circulating PAG concentrations by an in house PAG ELISA with antibodies raised against early secreted PAGs. Pregnancy was terminated at day 44 of gestation and heifers were allowed 30 days recovery before synchronization for the next ET. Only heifers that were diagnosed pregnant by ultrasound were used in this study (HF: n = 30, SF: n = 62). Serum concentrations of PAGs were not different between HF (5.90 ±â€¯0.27 ng/mL) and SF (5.56 ±â€¯0.31 ng/mL; P = 0.16) heifers at day 28 of gestation nor was there a difference at day 44 of gestation (P = 0.32). Subfertile heifers had increased pregnancy loss between days 28 and 44 of gestation. Based on odds ratio analysis, SF heifers had a 2.41 times chance to undergo pregnancy loss between day 28-44 compared to HF heifers (P < 0.05). There was no correlation (P > 0.05) in maternal circulating concentrations of PAG between pregnancies on day 28 or 44 of gestation in samples obtained from HF heifers. In summary, circulating concentrations of PAG are not different between HF and SF heifers; however, HF classified heifers have decreased pregnancy loss between days 28 and 44 of gestation.

Effect of complexed trace minerals on cumulus-oocyte complex recovery and in vitro embryo production in beef cattle1,2.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of complexed trace mineral supplementation on ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro embryo production in lactating beef cows. Thirty days prior to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI; day -30), 68 postpartum cows were stratified by BW, BCS, and parity before being randomly assigned to 10 pens of either a treatment (TRT; n = 5) or a control (CNT; n = 5) group. Each group received a weekly mineral supplement allotment of 1.16 kg × week-1 × cow-calf pair-1 for 14 wk. Cows assigned to the TRT group received a mineral supplement that contained amino acid complexes of zinc, copper, and manganese, as well as cobalt glucoheptonate (Availa Plus; Zinpro Corp., Eden Prairie, MN, USA), while cows assigned to the CNT group received a mineral supplement that was formulated to contain similar concentrations of these trace minerals from inorganic sources. All cows were submitted to a 7 d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol on day -10 and bred using FTAI on day 0. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 28 and nonpregnant cows were removed. All pregnant cows were subjected to ovum pick-up (OPU) on day 52 and 67 of gestation. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were evaluated and graded prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Analysis of variance was conducted to determine effects of treatment on response variables, and pen was considered the experimental unit. Supplement consumption did not differ (P = 0.48) between treatments (1.16 ± 0.12 vs. 1.07 ± 0.15 kg of DM × week-1 × cow-calf pair-1 for TRT and CNT, respectively). Total COC recovery was greater (P = 0.03) from TRT when compared with CNT cows (22.4 ± 2.0 vs. 16.4 ± 1.4 COCs × pen-1, respectively) and the number of COCs meeting maturation criteria was increased in TRT cows (P = 0.05) when compared with CNT cows (15.9 ± 1.6 vs. 11.8 ± 1.0 COCs × pen-1, respectively). Production of transferable embryos tended to be greater (P = 0.06) for TRT than CNT cows (4.7 ± 0.6 vs. 2.7 ± 0.7 embryos × pen-1, respectively). Furthermore, when expressed as a ratio, the number of recovered COCs meeting maturation criteria that were required to produce a transferable embryo tended to be lower for TRT than CNT cows (3.10 ± 0.93 vs. 7.02 ± 1.60; P = 0.06). In summary, complete replacement with complexed trace mineral improved COC recovery and in vitro embryo production when compared with inorganic forms of these trace minerals in beef cows.

Benign Miliary Osteoma Cutis of the Face: A Common Incidental CT Finding.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Osteoma cutis of the face represents a primary or secondary formation of ossific foci in the facial skin. Its primary form has been sparsely described in the plastic surgery and dermatology literature. As radiologists, we routinely encounter incidental, very small facial calcified nodules on CT studies performed for a variety of unrelated reasons. We hypothesized that this routinely encountered facial calcification represents primary miliary osteoma cutis and is a common, benign, age-related finding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1315 consecutive sinus CTs obtained during an 8-month period and their associated demographics. The number of dermal radiopaque lesions with Hounsfield units of >150 was counted, and we analyzed the association between the prevalence of these lesions and patients' demographics with logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-nine males and 716 females from 4 to 90 years of age were included in the study (mean, 52 versus 51 years; P = .259). Among these, 252 males and 301 females had small facial calcified nodules (42.1% versus 42.0%, P = .971). The patient's age was a statistically significant predictor for having facial calcified nodules (odds ratio = 1.02, P < .001), while the patient's sex was not (P = .826). CONCLUSIONS: Facial calcified nodules, observed in routine head and face CT imaging, are common, benign, age-related findings, which have been largely overlooked in the radiology literature. It is a manifestation of primary miliary osteoma cutis.

MODELO DE CAPACITACIÓN DE TECNOLOGÍA BIOMÉDICA PARA CLÍNICAS Y HOSPITALES DE TERCER NIVEL, ENFOCADO EN PERSONAL ASISTENCIAL / TRAINING MODEL FOR CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR TERTIARY HOSPITALS, FOCUSED ON CAREGIVERS / MODELO DE TREINAMENTO DE TECNOLOGIA BIOMÉDICA PARA HOSPITAIS E CLÍNICAS TERCIÁRIOS, COM FOCO EM PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE

El proceso de capacitación en tecnología biomédica se enmarca dentro de los requerimientos del decreto # 4725 de 2005 emitido por el ministerio de protección social, y es parte del proceso de adquisición de tecnología el cual es de gran importancia para las instituciones prestadoras de salud en Colombia. La tecnología médica requiere procesos detallados de capacitación. Uno de los aspectos más importantes a considerar más no el único es la clasificación de riesgo de los dispositivos médicos, el cual es un factor muy importante porque puede cambiar el tiempo y costo de la capacitación. Este artículo pretende hacer una revisión de algunos modelos de capacitación en clínicas y hospitales y comprarlos entre sí, Adicionalmente el artículo presenta un modelo que se basa en los criterios más representativos de los modelos analizados.

The training in biomedical technology is part of the requirements of the decree # 4725 of 2005 issued by the Colombian Ministry of Social Protection, and it's part of the technology procurement process which is of great importance to the health institutions in Colombia. Medical technology requires detailed training processes. One of the most important aspects to consider, not the only one, is risk classification of medical devices, which is a very important factor that may affect time and cost of training. This article aims to review and compare some models of training in clinics and hospitals. In addition, the paper introduces a model based on the most representative criteria of the models analyzed.

O treinamento em tecnologia biomédica é parte dos requisitos do decreto # 4725 de 2005 emitido pelo Ministério da Proteção Social, e faz parte do processo de aquisição de tecnologia, que é de grande importância para as instituições de saúde na Colômbia. A tecnologia médica requer processos de treinamento detalhados. Um dos aspectos mais importantes a considerar não é a única classificação de risco de dispositivos médicos, o que é um fator muito importante que pode mudar o tempo e o custo do treinamento. Este artigo tem por objetivo revisar alguns modelos de formação em clínicas e hospitais e compará-los entre si, Além disso, o artigo apresenta um modelo com base nos critérios mais representativos dos modelos analisados.