Mycobacterium avium infection associated with sterile polyarthritis in a dog.

A 1-year-old male neutered Portuguese Podengo dog was presented for lameness, inappetence, pyrexia, diarrhoea and abdominal moderate to severe lymphadenomegaly. Cytology of synovial fluid revealed neutrophilic inflammation in multiple joints suggestive of immune-mediated polyarthritis. Cytology of fine-needle-aspiration material obtained from lymph nodes revealed macrophages with intracytoplasmic, rod-like Ziehl-Neelsen positive staining structures, indicative of mycobacteria. Four-month treatment with enrofloxacin, rifampicin and clarithromycin resulted in clinical improvement and resolution of polyarthritis as evidenced on repeat synoviocentesis, but diarrhoea recurred, Ziehl-Neelsen positive organisms were again found on lymph node cytology and analysis of the 16S rRNA-gene using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool facility resulted in a match to Mycobacterium avium with 100% sequence identity. Treatment was adjusted to include pradofloxacin, doxycycline, rifampicin and ethambutol and 3 months later the dog is clinically normal. Based on the literature search, this is the first time canine Mycobacterium avium infection associated with immune-mediated polyarthritis is reported. Based on scoping searches, this is the first report of canine Mycobacterium avium infection associated with immune-mediated polyarthritis.

Ratio de sexo en la descendencia de futbolistas profesionales: estudio preliminar / Sex ratio in the offspring of professional soccer players: preliminary study / Proporção sexual em filhos de jogadores profissionais de futebol: estudo preliminar

OBJETIVO: Analizar si el entrenamiento de alta carga de los deportistas masculinos de élite puede influir en la proporción de sexo de sus descendientes. MÉTODO: Diseño observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Participaron 15 futbolistas, siendo condición necesaria que en el momento del estudio se encontrasen deportivamente activos, sin problemas de fertilidad y con descendencia. Las variables de estudio fueron el sexo de la descendencia, el número de hijos y el orden de nacimiento, y cargas de volumen e intensidad. El análisis estadístico consistió en relacionar las variables de carga, volumen e intensidad de ejercicio físico, con el sexo de los hijos, a través de la prueba de Ji cuadrado, teniendo en cuenta un nivel de significación p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: La descendencia fue de 28 hijos (13 niños, 15 niñas). El análisis de volumen e intensidad no reflejó diferencias significativas en la proporción niño/niña (p = 0.935; p = 0.296 respectivamente). En cambio, dentro de la población de niñas nacidas se observaron más nacimientos como consecuencia del entrenamiento de alta intensidad (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONES: Este es el primer artículo hasta la fecha que evalúa la influencia del ejercicio físico de alta carga sobre el sexo de la descendencia de varones deportistas. Pese a que el número de niñas no ha sido significativamente mayor al de niños, se observa mayor número de niñas nacidas cuando el entrenamiento es de alta intensidad

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether the high load training of elite male athletes can influence the sex ratio of their offspring. METHOD: Observational, descriptive cross-sectional study. Fifteen male soccer players participated from the study according to the following criteria at the time of the study: being engaged in sports practice and competition, no fertility issues and live offspring. The study variables were the sex of the offspring, the number of children and the order of birth, and volume and intensity loads. The statistical analysis consisted in relating the variables of volume and intensity load with frequency tables by means of the Chi square test, with margin of error p <0.05. RESULTS: The offspring was 28 children (13 boys, 15 girls). Volume and intensity analysis did not show significant differences in the boy/girl ratio (p = 0.935, p = 0.296 respectively). In contrast, within the population of girls, more births were observed as a consequence of high intensity training (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first article to date that assesses the influence of high-load physical exercise on the sex of the offspring of male athletes. Although the number of girls has not been significantly greater than that of boys, there is a greater number of girls born when the training is of high intensity

OBJETIVO: Analisar se o treinamento de alta carga de atletas de elite do sexo masculino pode influenciar na proporção sexual de seus descendentes. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. Quinze jogadores de futebol do sexo masculino participaram do estudo de acordo com os seguintes critérios na época do estudo: estar envolvido na prática de esportes e competição, sem problemas de fertilidade e prole viva. As variáveis de estudo foram o sexo da prole, o número de filhos e a ordem de nascimento e as cargas de volume e intensidade. A análise estatística consistiu em relacionar as variáveis de volume e intensidade da carga com tabelas de frequência por meio do teste Qui-quadrado, com margem de erro p <0,05. RESULTADOS: A prole foi de 28 crianças (13 meninos e 15 meninas). A análise de volume e intensidade não mostrou diferenças significativas na relação menino / menina (p = 0,935, p = 0,296 respectivamente). Por outro lado, na população de meninas, mais nascimentos foram observados como consequência do treinamento de alta intensidade (p = 0,037). CONCLUSÕES: Este é o primeiro artigo até o momento que avalia a influência do exercício físico de alta carga sobre o sexo de filhos de atletas do sexo masculino. Embora o número de meninas não tenha sido significativamente maior que o de meninos, há um maior número de meninas nascidas quando o treinamento é de alta intensidade

T-cell intracellular antigens function as tumor suppressor genes.

Knockdown of T-cell intracellular antigens TIA1 and TIAR in transformed cells triggers cell proliferation and tumor growth. Using a tetracycline-inducible system, we report here that an increased expression of TIA1 or TIAR in 293 cells results in reduced rates of cell proliferation. Ectopic expression of these proteins abolish endogenous TIA1 and TIAR levels via the regulation of splicing of their pre-mRNAs, and partially represses global translation in a phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha-dependent manner. This is accompanied by cell cycle arrest at G1/S and cell death through caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagy. Genome-wide profiling illustrates a selective upregulation of p53 signaling pathway-related genes. Nude mice injected with doxycycline-inducible cells expressing TIA1 or TIAR retard, or even inhibit, growth of xenotumors. Remarkably, low expressions of TIA1 and TIAR correlate with poor prognosis in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. These findings strongly support the concept that TIA proteins act as tumor suppressor genes.

Red soil geochemistry in a semiarid Mediterranean environment and its suitability for vineyards.

A geochemical study of a red soil derived from plioquaternary materials was carried out. The soil was located in a region of complex geomorphology and pedologic evolution, with particular characteristics of a Mediterranean climate associated with processes of alteration, rubification, gleying (hydromorphism) and argillization. The depth distribution of 27 trace elements was studied in order to determine the amounts of these elements in the soil and its tendency. The mineralogy of the clay fraction was also studied along with other physico-chemical properties to elucidate in terms of attributes meaningful for viticulture. The geochemical composition of the horizons was studied. The effect of human activities on the soil was investigated as well as the geographical origin of Mancha wines. It was found that these activities did not give rise to significant variations of trace elements, although a discontinuity related to the accumulation of new materials was detected. Ultimately, using established productivity standards, suitability for the cultivation of vines on these soils was determined.

Regeneration of ortho-chlorophenol-exhausted activated carbons with liquid water at high pressure and temperature.

A study was undertaken of the regeneration of three activated carbons exhausted with ortho-chlorophenol. The regeneration process was carried out using liquid water at 623 K and 150 atm in the absence of oxygen. The efficiency of this procedure was analyzed by determining the rate and amount of ortho-chlorophenol adsorbed in successive adsorption-regeneration cycles. The present procedure showed a much greater efficiency than that reported for chemical and/or thermal regeneration. Effects of this regeneration on the adsorption kinetics, adsorption capacity and textural characteristics of the carbon were investigated. The increase in adsorption capacity of the regenerated carbon compared with that of the original carbon seems mainly due to the opening of porosity during the regeneration treatment.

Application of FT-Raman spectroscopy to quality control in brick clays firing process.

This paper reports the study of the mineralogical evolution during the firing process (800-1150 degrees C) of the main types of raw materials used for the brick industry in Santa Cruz de Mudela (Ciudad Real, Spain). The mineralogical diversity observed in these materials leads to different behaviour during the shaping, drying and firing stages. Traditional use of similar working conditions in local industries, despite the mineralogical differences in the starting material, promotes the presence of defects in the drying and/or firing stages. This study attempt to implement some analytical guideline for the raw materials in order to improve the final product. Three types of raw materials obtained in different quarries have been characterised by means of chemical analysis with electron microprobe, powder X-ray diffraction and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The main difference between the clays studied is the carbonate content: one of the analysed samples is deficient in this component, while it is present as calcite (8%) or as calcite (14%) plus dolomite (10%) in the rest. The observed compositional differences seem to be relevant in the firing process. FT-Raman spectra reveal the onset of early vitrification (at about 900 degrees C) in the sample without carbonate. The importance of calcium and magnesium oxides, obtained from the corresponding carbonates, for the synthesis of new mineral phases that could slow down the vitrification process is discussed.