[Copeman nodules, a frequent but little known cause of low back pain; case report]. / Nódulos de Copeman, una causa frecuente pero poco conocida de dolor lumbar: presentación de un caso.

Copeman nodules or episacral lipomas are a very prevalent entity in the general population. They consist of subfascial fat herniations at the episacral region, through weakened areas of the overlying thoracodorsal fascia. They are usually bilateral and symmetric. Only in rare cases they are the cause of clinical manifestations. We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who presents with lumbar pain refractory to conventional treatments. Ultrasound examination suggests the diagnosis of Copeman nodules. The treatment of the patient is approached from a multidisciplinary perspective, finally deciding to operate the patient. After the intervention, the symptoms remitted shortly, allowing the patient to continue a normal life without discomfort or analgesic treatment.

Relationships between eye fluids and blood values after exercise in lidia cattle: mineral parameters.

Eye fluids (aqueous humour and vitreous humour) may be helpful in estimating ante-mortem blood levels, since some parameters measured in these fluids have proved to be stable or to change in a predictable way after death. This would help in diagnosing the cause of death in some diseases or to evaluate ante-mortem blood levels in certain animals not easy to handle or with difficult access. In order to establish reference values of some parameters in blood and eye fluids (aqueous humour and vitreous humour), as well as the possible correlation among these three different fluids, various minerals and electrolytes (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo) were measured in 15 four to five year-old Lidia bulls, all dying after a period of significant stress and major exertion. Plasmatic values of Mg and P were much greater than reported in the literature. In general, mineral plasmatic values were greater than those found in ocular fluids (aqueous and vitreous), while Na, K and Cr were similar in the three fluids. We have verified the existence of correlations in P, Co and Mo among the three fluids measured, and between Se of plasma and vitreous humour. But the most marked correlations were observed in Mo (plasma -aqueous humour, r = 0.893, plasma-vitreous humour, r = 0.945, HA -HV, r = 0.849), in P (plasma-vitreous humour, r = 0.726) and in Co (plasma-vitreous humour, r = 879).

Position statement for the diagnosis and management of anogenital warts.

BACKGROUND: Anogenital warts (AGW) can cause economic burden on healthcare systems and are associated with emotional, psychological and physical issues. OBJECTIVE: To provide guidance to physicians on the diagnosis and management of AGW. METHODS: Fourteen global experts on AGW developed guidance on the diagnosis and management of AGW in an effort to unify international recommendations. Guidance was developed based on published international and national AGW guidelines and an evaluation of relevant literature published up to August 2016. Authors provided expert opinion based on their clinical experiences. RESULTS: A checklist for a patient's initial consultation is provided to help physicians when diagnosing AGW to get the relevant information from the patient in order to manage and treat the AGW effectively. A number of frequently asked questions are also provided to aid physicians when communicating with patients about AGW. Treatment of AGW should be individualized and selected based on the number, size, morphology, location, and keratinization of warts, and whether they are new or recurrent. Different techniques can be used to treat AGW including ablation, immunotherapy and other topical therapies. Combinations of these techniques are thought to be more effective at reducing AGW recurrence than monotherapy. A simplified algorithm was created suggesting patients with 1-5 warts should be treated with ablation followed by immunotherapy. Patients with >5 warts should use immunotherapy for 2 months followed by ablation and a second 2-month course of immunotherapy. Guidance for daily practice situations and the subsequent action that can be taken, as well as an algorithm for treatment of large warts, were also created. CONCLUSION: The guidance provided will help physicians with the diagnosis and management of AGW in order to improve the health and quality of life of patients with AGW.

Evolution of the corpus luteum volume determined ultrasonographically and its relation to the plasma progesterone concentration after artificial insemination in pregnant and non-pregnant dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of the evolution of the corpus luteum (CL) volume that was determined ultrasonographically with the pregnancy status in lactating dairy cows during early pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were carried out on 76 cows following artificial insemination (AI). Plasma concentrations of progesterone were determined from blood samples collected at each ultrasound examination. Conception was confirmed by ultrasonography on day 30 after AI. Around day 14 post-insemination (p.i.), the CL volume tended to decrease in pregnant and non-pregnant cows, and, after day 19 p.i., both groups differed significantly, indicating the luteal regression in non-pregnant cows. Reaching signification on day 20. The diminution in CL volume was also reflected in the plasma progesterone concentration. However, the patterns of CL volume, estimated by ultrasonography, differed more evidently and earlier between both groups (around 1 week p.i., at day 9 p.i. P < 0.05, whereas progesterone started to differ around 2 weeks p.i., at day 14 p.i, P < 0.05). These results indicate that the estimation of the CL volume by ultrasonography could be useful for assessing the presence of a functional CL.

Anti-predator behaviour of adult red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) tutors improves the defensive responses of farm-reared broods.

The aim of this work was to improve natural anti-predator behaviour of farm-reared gamebirds. We evaluated the anti-predator behaviour of reared red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa chicks kept in brooder houses in large groups (>350 chicks), trained and not trained by parent red-legged partridges acting as experienced tutors. The experiment consisted of two conditioned tests (a raptor model and a human) and two control tests, which were conducted during three consecutive phases of life (1-4, 15-17 and 30-32 d after hatching). The motor anti-predator behaviour, its duration, the intensity of response in chicks and alarm calls elicited by adults were recorded. Tutors elicited aerial alarm calls (76% of tests) and showed prolonged crouching (59% of tests) in response to the raptor model whereas uttering the ground alarm call (73% of tests) and showing vigilance behaviour (78% of tests) was the main pattern during the human test. Trained and not trained chicks showed similar motor behaviour in response to the raptor model (crouching) and the human test (escaping), but frequency of strong responses (all chicks responding) from chicks trained with tutors was double that of chicks trained without them, and chicks trained with tutors showed a higher frequency of long responses (41-60 s). This study indicates that anti-predator training programmes before release may improve behaviour of farm-reared partridges which may confer benefits to survival of birds.

Are parent-reared red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) better candidates for re-establishment purposes?

Aiming to produce game birds suitable for re-establishment purposes, we studied the survival and behavior of 31 adult red-legged partridges reared by their natural parents in captivity (parent-reared) and 67 wild red-legs (35 adults and 32 subadults). Birds were radio-tracked and released in a game estate where management targeting small game species was conducted and shooting was not allowed. Survival of parent-reared partridges was shorter (mean 108 d) than wild adults (mean 160 d), though no significant differences were found. Parent-reared birds showed a longer escape reaction (mean 11.7 sec) than wild adults (mean 0.4 sec) and were mainly predated by terrestrial predators (52%), whereas the most important source of predation in wild red-legs was raptors (49%). The home range of parent-reared (mean 23 ha) was not significantly lower than wild adults (mean 27 ha). Nineteen percent of parent-reared and 31.4% of wild adults paired successfully, and we recorded 6 pairs in which one bird was wild and the other parent-reared and one pair in which both birds were parent-reared. A small proportion of red-legs started incubation (parent-reared 12.9%, wild 20%), and the proportion completing incubation was similar among wild and parent-reared birds. Overall, parent-reared red-legs showed similar survival and behavior compared to wild red-legs and better than intensively reared, so parent-reared red-legs should be chosen for the re-establishment of wild populations.

Autoantibodies against TIF-1-γ and CADM-140 in Spanish patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM): clinical significance and diagnostic utility.

BACKGROUND: Patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) appear to be at risk for developing cancer and interstitial lung diseases, but population data to confirm this hypothesis are limited. Moreover, CADM presents cutaneous and histological findings that may overlap with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between myositis-specific autoantibodies, myositis-associated autoantibodies and CADM in Spanish patients. In addition, to study the usefulness of these autoantibodies in the differential diagnosis between CADM and SCLE. METHODS: Serum samples were tested for myositis-specific autoantibodies and myositis-associated autoantibodies through immunoprecipitation and other standardized methods. RESULTS: Anti-CADM-p140 and anti-p155 antibodies were the only myositis-specific autoantibodies found and were associated with interstitial lung diseases and cancer respectively. No myositis-associated autoantibodies were found in CADM. Moreover, clinical subsets and proportions seemed to differ from Asian cohorts, where anti-CADM-p140 is considered a CADM hallmark antibody and a risk factor for the development of interstitial lung disease. Interestingly, anti-SSA was highly associated with SCLE, whereas no myositis-specific autoantibodies were found in this entity. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY: Association between CADM and myositis-specific autoantibodies and differences between CADM and SCLE were tested on a relatively small cohort of patients. CONCLUSION: There is an association between cancer-associated myositis and interstitial lung diseases and their hallmark autoantibodies in our cohort. In addition, the combined determination of myositis-specific autoantibodies and SSA autoantibodies may help to accurately discriminate SCLE from CADM.

Genome-wide profiling of methylation identifies novel targets with aberrant hypermethylation and reduced expression in low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Gene expression profiling signatures may be used to classify the subtypes of Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. However, there are few reports on the global methylation status in MDS. The integration of genome-wide epigenetic regulatory marks with gene expression levels would provide additional information regarding the biological differences between MDS and healthy controls. Gene expression and methylation status were measured using high-density microarrays. A total of 552 differentially methylated CpG loci were identified as being present in low-risk MDS; hypermethylated genes were more frequent than hypomethylated genes. In addition, mRNA expression profiling identified 1005 genes that significantly differed between low-risk MDS and the control group. Integrative analysis of the epigenetic and expression profiles revealed that 66.7% of the hypermethylated genes were underexpressed in low-risk MDS cases. Gene network analysis revealed molecular mechanisms associated with the low-risk MDS group, including altered apoptosis pathways. The two key apoptotic genes BCL2 and ETS1 were identified as silenced genes. In addition, the immune response and micro RNA biogenesis were affected by the hypermethylation and underexpression of IL27RA and DICER1. Our integrative analysis revealed that aberrant epigenetic regulation is a hallmark of low-risk MDS patients and could have a central role in these diseases.

Do pairing systems improve welfare of captive Red-Legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) in laying cages?

Although animal welfare has become an important premise in poultry, little attention has been paid to the effects of present-day rearing methods on the welfare of game birds, species released for hunting and re-establishment purposes. This work studied the effect of pairing methods on the welfare of the Red-Legged partridge kept in laying cages (4,500 cm2), a commonly hunted game species in Western Europe. Agonistic behavior and possible injuries caused by aggression were studied during the pairing and laying period in 2 types of couples: the forced type (n=24), 1 male and 1 female randomly chosen and placed in the same cage, and the free type (n=24), where the female had the opportunity to chose between 4 males, using the time spent by the female near each male as female choice parameter. Welfare of partridges was affected by pairing system, as aggressive behavior, divorces and injuries were observed in a higher rate in forced pairs (25% of pairs did not finish the productive cycle) than in free pairs (16.6%). In addition, more females were attacked in forced pairs, whereas in free pairs, the number of attacked males and mutual aggression was increased. Males tended to display more aggressive behavior than females, pecking mainly on the head and back of females. Although injuries were observed in a minor rate in free pairs, a higher mortality was reported in females compared with males from both free and forced pairs (6 females died in total). The poor welfare in a high percentage of laying pairs hampers the development of sustainable rearing methods for the species. Thus, farmers should consider avoiding forced pairing.

Does early antipredator training increase the suitability of captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) for releasing?

This study aimed to evaluate the postrelease survival and spatial distribution of farm-bred red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) that were subject to a prerelease training program based on exemplary behavior and alarm calls given by adults that acted as experienced demonstrators in simulated predator encounters (wooden raptor models and humans). Two groups of partridges were released in this study: trained (intensively reared birds accompanied by tutors) and control (chicks reared without tutors). Releases were conducted in the fall and winter-spring during 2 consecutive years using a total of 44 trained and 40 control radio-tagged partridges. Trained partridges showed statistically higher mean values of survival (72.7 d), home range (13.04 ha), and dispersion (549.58 m) compared with nontrained partridges, with most nontrained birds failing to survive more than 2 wk after release. Trained adult partridges showed the best survival results (105.2 d). Taking all birds into account, causes of death were attributed to terrestrial predators (45%), raptors (18.7%), hunting (11.3%), and unknown causes (25%). Although values of variables reported here were lower than those reported in wild counterparts, survival time and spatial behavior of trained birds were close to that of previous data of parent-reared partridges and higher than that of farm-bred birds. This study aimed to confirm the potential of prerelease training techniques in present-day rearing systems. Farm-bred game birds, which normally suffer from high predation rates after release, could highly benefit from the use of cost-effective training techniques based on learning from experienced adults.

Isolation from predators: a key factor in the failed release of farmed red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) to the wild?

1. The effects of predation isolation were studied in two lines of 10 month-old farmed red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). Birds came from bred generations in captivity (F) and directly from wild parents (W). 2. Releases were carried out in March for two consecutive years on private farmland with a stable population of wild red-legged partridge using 68 tagged birds (36 F, 32 W). 3. No statistical differences were found in survival time (mean 18 d) or home range values (mean 7·38 ha); 49% of mortality was attributable to raptors, 36% to wild canids and 15% had doubtful causes of death. F birds suffered more predation by raptors and W partridges more by mammalian carnivores. 4. A statistical difference was found in post-release dispersion: the means were 243·4 m in F and 593·3 m in W. 5. The result of predation isolation was similar in both groups, which confirms the adverse effects of current production systems on anti-predator behaviour. Farmers should consider the introduction of new rearing techniques with the aim of improving survival after release.

MTHFR C677T, FII G20210A, FV Leiden G1691A, NOS3 intron 4 VNTR, and APOE epsilon4 gene polymorphisms are not associated with spontaneous cervical artery dissection.

AIMS: The pathogenesis of spontaneous cervical artery dissection remains unknown. We examined the association between different polymorphisms frequently found in young patients with cryptogenic stroke [methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, factor II (prothrombin) G20210A, factor V G1691A (Leiden), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) intron 4 VNTR, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 gene] in patients with a cerebral infarct caused by spontaneous cervical artery dissection. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (27 males) and 96 matching control subjects were recruited. Clinical history, including cardiovascular risk factors, was assessed in all subjects. Genotypes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction with and without a restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotypes and allele frequencies of the five genetic variants studied were compared between spontaneous cervical artery dissection cases and controls. We also incorporated our data into a meta-analysis of the MTHFR/C677T variant. RESULTS: Of 48 patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection (28 vertebral and 20 carotid), the mean age of the patients was 36.6 +/- SD 9.9 years. There were no significant associations between the alleles of the five genetic polymorphisms studied and spontaneous cervical artery dissection. In the meta-analysis of the MTHFR/C677T variant, a total of 564 individuals (231 cases and 333 controls) were analysed; no significant association was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this exploratory case-control study show the lack of an association between MTHFR, factor II G20210A, factor V G1691A, NOS3, intron 4 VNTR, and APOE epsilon4 gene polymorphisms and the development of spontaneous cervical artery dissection. Our findings contribute towards a better understanding of the genetic risk factors associated with spontaneous cervical artery dissection.

Influence of the breeding system on the escape response of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa).

This study aimed to determine the influence of the breeding system on the escape response of red-legged partridges comparing 147 free-born partridges captured in the wild (W) and 164 partridges from a commercial hunting farm with an intensive production system (F). All birds were individually released to the natural environment using wooden cages; the escape response was recorded with a high resolution video camera and 4 behavior parameters were analyzed: reaction time or latency, escape type, angle at the moment of flight start, and distance flown. There were significant differences on the mean reaction time depending on the origin of the partridges: 0.43 s, with a maximum of 9 s, for the W and 52.90 s, with a maximum of 120 s, in 32.3% of the F birds. Only one of the W partridges (0.68%) escaped by walking, whereas all the other W birds, and 69.5% of the F partridges, flew; the differences in the type of escape reaction between origins were significant. Considering the angle of flight start, the differences were also significant because 98.6% of W partridges showed less than 45 degrees angles, whereas 37.7% of F birds showed angles of more than 45 degrees. Thus, we can conclude that the breeding system has a great influence on the escape response of the red-legged partridges. The intensive management production systems used on the commercial game farms produced obvious changes in the escape reaction of the red-legged partridges, and this could explain the low ability of these birds to integrate and to survive in the wild due to the high predation pressure they undergo when they are used in repopulation processes.

Novel mutations in Myoclonin1/EFHC1 in sporadic and familial juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) accounts for 3 to 12% of all epilepsies. In 2004, the GENESS Consortium demonstrated four missense mutations in Myoclonin1/EFHC1 of chromosome 6p12.1 segregating in 20% of Hispanic families with JME. OBJECTIVE: To examine what percentage of consecutive JME clinic cases have mutations in Myoclonin1/EFHC1. METHODS: We screened 44 consecutive patients from Mexico and Honduras and 67 patients from Japan using heteroduplex analysis and direct sequencing. RESULTS: We found five novel mutations in transcripts A and B of Myoclonin1/EFHC1. Two novel heterozygous missense mutations (c.755C>A and c.1523C>G) in transcript A occurred in both a singleton from Mexico and another singleton from Japan. A deletion/frameshift (C.789del.AV264fsx280) in transcript B was present in a mother and daughter from Mexico. A nonsense mutation (c.829C>T) in transcript B segregated in four clinically and seven epileptiform-EEG affected members of a large Honduran family. The same nonsense mutation (c.829C>T) occurred as a de novo mutation in a sporadic case. Finally, we found a three-base deletion (-364--362del.GAT) in the promoter region in a family from Japan. CONCLUSION: Nine percent of consecutive juvenile myoclonic epilepsy cases from Mexico and Honduras clinics and 3% of clinic patients from Japan carry mutations in Myoclonin1/EFCH1. These results represent the highest number and percentage of mutations found for a juvenile myoclonic epilepsy causing gene of any population group.

Humoral immune response against epidermal growth factor encapsulated in dehydration rehydration vesicles of different phospholipid composition.

We investigated the influence of dehydration-rehydration vesicles (DRV) phospholipid composition and the addition of other components on human recombinant epidermal growth factor (hrEGF) encapsulation efficiency and its release from liposomes. Encapsulation of EGF into DRV composed of phosphatidylcholine with different unsaturation levels was around 20-35%. The best result was obtained with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine: cholesterol (DPPC:Ch) liposomes (35%) corresponding to the lowest hrEGF release during one month of storage. Even with this phospholipid composition, modification of the DRV procedure by including an extrusion step did not improve hrEGF encapsulation efficiency, rendering less stable particles. The inclusion of recombinant P64k from Neisseria meningitidis (rP64k), as such or conjugated to hrEGF, decreased the encapsulation efficiency of the latter protein into DRV or freeze and thaw multilamellar vesicles (FATMLV). The hrEGF release from liposomes could be related to the interaction between this polypeptide and the bilayer, as evidenced by increased carboxyfluorescein release from hrEGF-DRV; less susceptibility to fluorescence quenching by acrylamide in the presence of liposomes; and a measurable decrease of phospholipid phase transition Delta enthalpy (DeltaH). DRV comprising saturated phospholipids (DPPC:Ch or distearoyl phosphatidylcholine [DSPC]:Ch) and containing the conjugate EGF-P64k induced a more efficient immune response against hrEGF than unsaturated phospholipid and alum in terms of total IgG, IgG(2a), and IgG(2b) subclasses and the ability of antibody to inhibit the interaction of the EGF receptor with hrEGF.

Study of survival, dispersal and home range of autumn-released red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa).

1. On a private property with a stable population of wild red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and an appropriate habitat for the survival of the species, reinforcement repopulations were carried out in the months of October and November for two consecutive years using 5- to 6-month-old birds reared on a commercial game farm. 2. Of the 36 released birds, none was still alive by the following spring's breeding period. Mean survival time was 9.4 d in the first year and 7.6 d in the second year. 3. Seventy-two per cent of mortality was attributable to predation, 11% to hunting and 17% to doubtful causes of death, accidents and starvation. 4. Post-release mean dispersion was 377.8 m in the first year and 526.3 m in the second. Mean home range was 7.1 ha in the first year and 5.4 ha in the second. 5. The production systems and handling practices of commercial game farms may have modified some anti-predator ethological patterns and strategies, which might make it more difficult for the birds to adapt and integrate into the wild, resulting in reduced survival due to premature mortality.

Molecular analysis of the EGFR gene in astrocytic gliomas: mRNA expression, quantitative-PCR analysis of non-homogeneous gene amplification and DNA sequence alterations.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein with tyrosine kinase activity. This report investigates the presence of mutations, amplification and/or over-expression of the EGFR gene in 86 glial tumours including 44 glioblastomas, 21 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 21 WHO grade II astrocytomas, using polymerase chain reaction/single-strand conformation polymorphism, semiquantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern Blot techniques. Gene amplification values were found in 34 tumours. Amplification levels were not uniform, as the transmembrane region presented lower amplification rates than extra- and intracellular domains. For the 19 samples with sufficient available tumour tissue we found over-expression in 11, and no EGFR mRNA expression in three. Ten cases showed deletion transcripts, and EGFR VIII was identified in all of these cases. One of the cases with EGFR vIII also presented a truncated form, C-958, while another showed an in frame tandem duplication of exons 18--25. We found 14 cases with sequence/structure gene alterations, including seven on which genomic novel DNA changes were identified: a missense mutation (1052C > T/Ala265Val), an insertion (InsCCC2498/Ins Pro748), three intronic changes (E6+72delG, E22--14C>G and E18--109T>C), a new polymorphic variant E12+ 22A > T, and one case that presented a 190 bp insertion, that was produced by the intron-7-exon-8 duplication and generated a truncated EGFR with intact exons 1--8 followed by an additional amino acidic sequence: Val-Ile-Met-Trp. These findings corroborate that EGFR is non-randomly involved in malignant glioma development and that different mutant forms participate in aberrant activation of tyrosine kinase pathways.

Use of radiotracking techniques to study a summer repopulation with Red-Legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) chicks.

On a private property with a stable population of wild Red-Legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and an appropriate habitat for the survival of the species, reinforcement repopulations were carried out using 54 birds that were 2 to 3 mo old and reared on a commercial game farm. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of repopulations, the behavior in the wild of released partridges, and the possible causes of success or failure of reinforcement population operations. The releases were carried out during August and September of 2 consecutive years. All birds were equipped with radio transmitter collars to determine their behavior after release. Two release methods were used in yr 1: an acclimatization cage (AC) method and a direct release method on the day of the birds arrival (DR). The aim of the release in yr 2 was to collect data to determine the influence of year conditions using the DR method. Of the 54 released birds, none remained alive by the time of the reproductive period in the following spring. The mean survival time was 16.79 d for the AC method and was 11.89 and 5 d for the DR method in yr 1 and 2, respectively. Of the recorded mortalities, we assigned 81.13% to predation, 7.55% to hunting, and 11.32% to unknown causes of death, accidents, or starvation. Repopulation was not successful at providing a long-term increase in partridge numbers, with most birds falling victim to predation within 1 mo of release. Dispersion is the maximum distance from the release point at which each bird was located. The postrelease mean dispersion was 437.65 m for the AC method and was 647.57 and 266.07 m for the DR method in yr 1 and 2, respectively.