PhenoBR: a model to phenotype body condition dynamics in meat sheep.

In situations of negative energy balance (NEB) due to feed scarcity or high physiological demands, body energy reserves (BRs), mainly stored in adipose tissues, become the main sources of energy for ruminants. The capacity to mobilise and restore such BRs in response to different challenges is of major concern in the current context of breeding for resilience. Body condition score (BCS) is a common, practical indicator of BR variations throughout successive productive cycles, and quantitative tools for characterising such dynamics at the individual level are still lacking. The main objective of this work was to characterise body condition dynamics in terms of BR mobilisation and accretion capacities of meat sheep during their productive lifespan through a modelling approach, using BCS measurements. The animal model used in this work was the reproductive meat ewe (n = 1 478) reared in extensive rangeland. Regular measurements of BCS for each productive cycle were used as the indicator of BR variations. A hybrid mathematical model and a web interface, called PhenoBR, were developed to characterise ewes' BCS variations through four synthetic and biologically meaningful parameters for each productive cycle i: BR accretion rate (kbi), BR mobilisation rate (kpi), plus the time of onset and the duration of the BR mobilisation, tbi and ΔTi, respectively. The model PhenoBR converged for all the ewes included in the analysis. Estimation of the parameters indicated the inter-individual variability for BR accretion and mobilisation rates, and the length of the mobilisation period. The present study is a proof of concept that the combination of data-driven and concept-driven models is required for the estimation of biologically meaningful parameters that describe body reserve dynamics through consecutive productive cycles. Individual characterisation of animals by these parameters makes it possible to rank them for their efficiency in the use of body reserves when facing NEB challenges. Such parameters could contribute to better management and decision-making by farmers and advisors, e.g. by adapting feeding systems to the individual characteristics of BR dynamics, or by geneticists as criteria to develop future animal breeding programmes including BR dynamics for more robust and resilient animals.

Alternative hormone-free reproduction management of a dairy sheep flock disrupts the farm's annual feeding system calendar and its associated strategies.

Hormone-free (HF) reproduction in dairy sheep is a way to meet current societal demands, but it requires being prepared for collateral impacts on related system components. The efficiency of HF practices (e.g., using the male effect for estrus induction and synchronization) is uncertain compared with hormonal treatment (HT). For example, these practices can lead to higher variability in the flock physiological stage patterns throughout the year, which has direct consequences for feeding regimens. The objective of this work was to simulate the impacts of HF reproduction management, including artificial insemination (AI), on the temporal distribution of productive performance and nutritional requirements of a conventional dairy sheep flock. Using the REPROsheep2.0 model, 6 scenarios were compared over one typical production season for the same flock (n = 597 Lacaune ewes) intensively reared in the Roquefort region of France. These scenarios depicted reproduction with HT and AI in mid-May (Early); HT and AI in July (Summer Late); HT and AI in November (Autumn Late); and their HF versions (HF-Early; HF-Summer Late, and HF-Autumn Late, respectively). In all HF scenarios, a reduction in the number of ewes lambing and consequently in the annual milk production of the farm was observed (-1 to -7%). This affected annual performance with a subsequent decrease of total annual nutritional requirements (-2 to -6%). The HF scenarios resulted in a staggering of lambing events with a 7- to 14-d shift in the appearance of milk production peaks and related nutritional requirements compared with the HT scenarios. Transitioning from conventional to HF reproduction management, while preserving AI, would increase farm workload, lengthen milking period operations, and necessitate a readjustment of feeding management strategies with regard to available feed resources. Depending on the production season, the observed delay in the distribution of nutritional requirements could be either an attractive or an unfavorable outcome for farmers. The delay may be concordant, for example, with the recently observed impacts of climate change on seasonal forage availability in Mediterranean regions (less spring herbage production and warmer temperatures) that are affecting farmers' decision-making about the most efficient use of forage and feed resources.

Recomendaciones para el empleo de técnicas neurofisiológicas en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica de la Sociedad de Neurofisiología Clínica de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia / Recommendations for the use of neurophysiological techniques in the diagnosis of brain death from the Clinical Neurophysiology Society of the Communities of Valencia and Murcia

En España, el trasplante de órganos constituye uno de los mayores retos y trabajo en equipo de los centros hospitalarios. Se estima que en 2020 España aportó a la Unión Europea el 19% de la totalidad de los donantes. El diagnóstico de apoyo confirmatorio recomienda por ley algunas técnicas complementarias en determinados casos, entre ellas las técnicas neurofisiológicas, en especial el uso del electroencefalograma y los potenciales evocados. Estos casos plantean al neurofisiólogo clínico la toma acertada de decisiones tanto clínicas como técnicas para su correcta realización e interpretación. Hasta ahora no existe a nivel nacional un consenso de realización de estas técnicas. Es una revisión bibliográfica actualizada sobre las técnicas neurofisiológicas (electroencefalograma y potenciales evocados), con análisis mediante método Delphi y juicio de expertos del grupo de trabajo de la Sociedad de Neurofisiología Clínica de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia. Las técnicas neurofisiológicas permiten ser un apoyo en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica, tanto de forma confirmatoria como para acortar tiempos de observación. Para su realización se precisan unos mínimos estándares técnicos que permitan realizar de forma óptima los estudios. Especialmente hay que tener en cuenta la medicación, la situación hemodinámica, la ausencia de hipotermia y el grupo de edad. Presentamos la primera guía en castellano elaborada por la Sociedad de Neurofisiología de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia para la realización en nuestros hospitales de las técnicas neurofisiológicas en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica.(AU)

In Spain organ transplantation constitutes one of the greatest challenges and teamwork of hospital centres. It is estimated that in the year 2020 Spain contributed 19% of all donors to the European Union. The confirmatory support diagnosis recommends by law some complementary techniques in certain cases, including neurophysiological techniques, especially the use of electroencephalogram and evoked potentials. These cases require the clinical neurophysiologist to make the right clinical and technical decisions for the correct performance and interpretation of the same. To date, there is no national consensus on the performance of these techniques. Updated bibliographic review on neurophysiological techniques (electroencephalogram and evoked potentials). Analysis by Delphi method and expert judgment of the working group of the Clinical Neurophysiology Society of the Communities of Valencia and Murcia. Neurophysiological techniques can be a support in the diagnosis of encephalic death, both confirmatory and to shorten observation times. In order to perform them, minimum technical standards are required to allow optimal performance of the studies, especially taking into account medication, hemodynamic situation, absence of hypothermia, and age group. We present the first guide in Spanish elaborated by the Society of Neurophysiology of the Communities of Valencia and Murcia for the performance in our hospitals of neurophysiological techniques in the diagnosis of brain death.(AU)

[Recommendations for the use of neurophysiological techniques in the diagnosis of brain death from the Clinical Neurophysiology Society of the Communities of Valencia and Murcia]. / Recomendaciones para el empleo de técnicas neurofisiológicas en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica de la Sociedad de Neurofisiología Clínica de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia.

In Spain organ transplantation constitutes one of the greatest challenges and teamwork of hospital centres. It is estimated that in the year 2020 Spain contributed 19% of all donors to the European Union. The confirmatory support diagnosis recommends by law some complementary techniques in certain cases, including neurophysiological techniques, especially the use of electroencephalogram and evoked potentials. These cases require the clinical neurophysiologist to make the right clinical and technical decisions for the correct performance and interpretation of the same. To date, there is no national consensus on the performance of these techniques. Updated bibliographic review on neurophysiological techniques (electroencephalogram and evoked potentials). Analysis by Delphi method and expert judgment of the working group of the Clinical Neurophysiology Society of the Communities of Valencia and Murcia. Neurophysiological techniques can be a support in the diagnosis of encephalic death, both confirmatory and to shorten observation times. In order to perform them, minimum technical standards are required to allow optimal performance of the studies, especially taking into account medication, hemodynamic situation, absence of hypothermia, and age group. We present the first guide in Spanish elaborated by the Society of Neurophysiology of the Communities of Valencia and Murcia for the performance in our hospitals of neurophysiological techniques in the diagnosis of brain death.

TITLE: Recomendaciones para el empleo de técnicas neurofisiológicas en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica de la Sociedad de Neurofisiología Clínica de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia.En España, el trasplante de órganos constituye uno de los mayores retos y trabajo en equipo de los centros hospitalarios. Se estima que en 2020 España aportó a la Unión Europea el 19% de la totalidad de los donantes. El diagnóstico de apoyo confirmatorio recomienda por ley algunas técnicas complementarias en determinados casos, entre ellas las técnicas neurofisiológicas, en especial el uso del electroencefalograma y los potenciales evocados. Estos casos plantean al neurofisiólogo clínico la toma acertada de decisiones tanto clínicas como técnicas para su correcta realización e interpretación. Hasta ahora no existe a nivel nacional un consenso de realización de estas técnicas. Es una revisión bibliográfica actualizada sobre las técnicas neurofisiológicas (electroencefalograma y potenciales evocados), con análisis mediante método Delphi y juicio de expertos del grupo de trabajo de la Sociedad de Neurofisiología Clínica de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia. Las técnicas neurofisiológicas permiten ser un apoyo en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica, tanto de forma confirmatoria como para acortar tiempos de observación. Para su realización se precisan unos mínimos estándares técnicos que permitan realizar de forma óptima los estudios. Especialmente hay que tener en cuenta la medicación, la situación hemodinámica, la ausencia de hipotermia y el grupo de edad. Presentamos la primera guía en castellano elaborada por la Sociedad de Neurofisiología de las Comunidades de Valencia y Murcia para la realización en nuestros hospitales de las técnicas neurofisiológicas en el diagnóstico de muerte encefálica.

High body condition score combined with a reduced lambing to ram introduction interval improves the short-term ovarian response of milking Lacaune ewes to the male effect.

The male effect is an effective natural technique to induce off-season ovulation and ultimately mating or artificial insemination in small ruminants. It constitutes an alternative to hormonal treatments in conventional breeding systems and, to shift and organise the yearly production cycle, is currently the only solution complying with European organic standards. However, its associated performances are still heterogeneous, both in terms of the global response and the extent of reproductive synchronisation of the females, due to complex interactions with environmental factors that limit its use on commercial farms. This study was carried out on a French organic farm under commercial conditions to investigate, in the field and across five consecutive years, the main parameters affecting the early ovarian response to a ram effect on Lacaune dairy ewes. While the within-year binary logistic regressions yielded contrasting results, the cross-year mixed-effect binary logistic regression models clearly showed that parameters associated with the nutritional state of the animals have a profound influence on the ovarian response of the ewes. Indeed, the probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect and of an early ovarian response to the ram effect were positively associated with the body condition score, total milk production and the age of the animals, while being negatively associated with the milk production level at the 3rd milk recording. The probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect were positively associated with the interval between lambing and the introduction of the rams. Altogether, these results indicate that the ovarian performances in response to a male effect follow a bell-curve pattern with optimal performances depending upon a complex combination between photoperiodic and nutritional cues. Regarding these latter, this study highlights the major contribution of body reserves and energy balance dynamics.

Impact of the use of pressurized liquids on the extraction and functionality of proteins and bioactives from brewer's spent grain.

A green methodology based on pressurized liquids (PLE) to extract proteins and obtain highly active extracts from brewer's spent grain (BSG) is proposed. Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to study the effect of extraction parameters on the protein content (PC), the total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activity of extracts. Results were compared with those obtained by conventional alkaline extraction assisted with ultrasounds (UAE). The selection of PLE conditions enabled to tailor the PC and TPC of extracts. PLE extracted 36 % more proteins than UAE. PLE extracts showed higher antioxidant, cholesterol esterase inhibition, and ACE inhibitory activities than UAE extract. HPLC-MS/MS enabled to observe that the extraction technique and experimental conditions significantly affected to the kind and amount of extracted proteins, and released peptides, and phenolic compounds. A higher ratio of hydrophobic peptides was observed in PLE extracts, which justified their higher bioactivity.

Measuring liveweight changes in lactating dairy ewes with an automated walk-over-weighing system.

Monitoring liveweight (LW) is an important part of sound management practices at the individual and flock level (e.g., controlling for nutritional status based on body condition, reproduction, and health-related issues), but it is time consuming and stressful. To our knowledge, no literature has reported on the evaluation of automated weighing systems in dairy sheep as an alternative to conventional static scales. The objective of this research was to evaluate the practical feasibility of using an automated walk-over-weighing (WoW) prototype to measure daily LW changes in dairy ewes without human intervention. We used adult Lacaune dairy ewes in 2 complementary trials conducted indoors. Trial 1 aimed at evaluating the repeatability, precision, and accuracy of LW measures recorded using WoW scales compared with a static scale (the gold standard). Forty-two adult ewes (LW ± standard deviation = 71.3 ± 10.4 kg) were randomly drafted from the main flock and used in a 1-day session. The trial included 3 passages. In each passage, ewes were weighed first on a static scale; once a static position was achieved and LW recorded, they continued the circuit and immediately traversed the WoW scale for an automated LW record. Trial 2 aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using the WoW device under real-world conditions in a dairy sheep-farming system. The WoW scale was installed in the exit race of the milking parlor and evaluated over 7 wk with adult ewes in mid lactation (n = 93; LW 78.5 ± 8.1 kg). Once the ewes were acclimated to the WoW system, 1 group of ewes (n = 48) continued to receive the same feeding regimen (controls), and the other group (n = 45) underwent a nutritional challenge [challenged; 2 wk of undernutrition and then back to control regimen (refeeding) for 1 wk]. We evaluated the ability of the WoW to detect small changes in LW. We collected LW data (2 weighings per ewe per day) from the WoW after each of the 2 milking sessions (morning and evening). We also obtained LW values by weighing the ewes using a static scale once a week. The automated WoW system showed substantial agreement with the gold standard when assessed using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and Bland and Altman's method, largely due to high repeatability. The WoW system was adequate for detecting small daily variations in LW during undernutrition and refeeding periods. Misbehaviors resulted in spurious WoW values in trial 2, requiring us to use filtration methods to exclude outlier weights and allow meaningful assessment of small LW changes. The WoW system evaluated here is an alternative to the static scales conventionally used on dairy sheep farms. If sound filtration of raw data is applied, WoW could contribute to the close (daily) monitoring of individual LW without operator intervention (i.e., voluntary weighing) and taking animal welfare into account (i.e., no stress related to the weighing session on static scales).

Phenolic and tannin compounds in subtropical shrubs (Bituminaria bituminosa, Chamaecytisus proliferus, and Adenocarpus foliosus) and the effects on in vitro digestibility.

The objective of this study was to contribute to the characterization of nutritional potentials, with special attention to the total phenol and condensed tannins content and the effects on in vitro digestibility of some browsing shrub legumes traditionally used for ruminant feeding. The varieties selected were Bituminaria bituminosa var. bituminosa (BBB), Bituminaria bituminosa var. albormaginata (BBA), Chamaecytisus proliferus var. palmensis (CPP), Chamaecytisus proliferus var. canariae (CPC), and Adenocarpus foliosus (AF). Chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and net energy for lactation (NE) were analyzed and compared among varieties; the effects of total phenol (TP) and condensed tannins (CT) compounds on digestibility were estimated. Condensed tannins ranged from 1 to 5 g/kg DM of tannins, while total phenols ranged from 9 to 32 g/kg DM of tannins. In vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) ranged from 0.52 to 0.71, and estimated net energy for lactation (NE) ranged from 4.2 to 5.8 MJ/kg DM, with significant differences among all the varieties. This Chamaecytisus varieties (CPC, CPP) have higher feeding values, following CPC > CPP > AF > BBB > BBA in order. Although there were condensed tannins and total phenols in all the shrubs analyzed, total phenol contents differed significantly between the shrubs. The effect of the content of the total phenols and of the tannins condensed in the OMD of the varieties of shrubs analyzed, shows that the higher amounts of total phenols in some of the varieties of shrubs analyzed, increased the in vitro digestibility (OMD) of the shrubs but high amounts of CT decreased OMD.

Intra-flock variability in the body reserve dynamics of meat sheep by analyzing BW and body condition score variations over multiple production cycles.

Breeding for resilience requires a better understanding of intra-flock variability and the related mechanisms responsible for robustness traits. Among such traits, the animals' ability to cope with feed fluctuations by mobilizing or restoring body reserves (BR) is a key mechanism in ruminants. The objective of this work was to characterize individual variability in BR dynamics in productive Romane ewes reared in extensive conditions. The BR dynamics profiles were characterized by combining individual longitudinal measurements of BW and body condition scores (BCS) over several production cycles. Historical data, including up to 2628 records per trait distributed in 1146 ewes, underwent cluster analysis. Two to four trajectories were observed for BW depending on the cycle, while three trajectories were found for BCS, whatever the cycle. Most trajectories suggested that BR dynamics were similar but the level of BR may differ between ewes. Nevertheless, some trajectories suggested that both BR dynamics and levels were different for a proportion of ewes. Clustering on BW and BCS profiles adjusted for individual level trends, resulted in differences only in the level of BW or BCS, rather than differences in trajectories. Thus, the overall shape of trajectories was not changed considering or not the individual level trend across cycles. In addition to individual variability, the ewe's age at first lambing and litter size contributed to the distribution of the ewes between the trajectories. Regarding the entire productive life, three trajectories were observed for BW and BCS changes over three productive cycles. Increase in BW at each cycle suggested that ewes kept growing up until 3 to 4 years old in our conditions. Similar alternation of BCS gains and losses across cycles suggested BR dynamics might be repeatable. Many individual trajectories remained the same throughout a ewe's life, whatever the age at first lambing, parity or litter size. Our results demonstrate the relevance of using BW and BCS changes for characterizing the diversity of BR mobilization-accretion profiles in sheep in a long timespan perspective.

An assessment of Walk-over-Weighing to estimate short-term individual forage intake in sheep.

The main limitation for determining feed efficiency of freely grazing ruminants is measurement of daily individual feed intake. This paper describes an investigation that assessed a method for estimating intake of forage based on changes in BW of ewes. A total of 24 dry and non-pregnant Romane ewes (12 hoggets, HOG; mean±SD 51.8±2.8 kg BW; body condition score (BCS) 2.6±0.2; and 12 adults, ADU; 60.4±8.5 kg BW; BCS 2.7±0.8) were selected for the study and moved from their rangeland system to a confined pen with controlled conditions and equipped with individual automatic feeders. The experiment lasted for 28 days (21 days adaptation and 7 days feed intake measurement). Ewes were fed hay and trained to use the electronic feeders (one feeding station per ewe) in which actual daily intake (H intake24) was measured. The pens were designed to maximize movement of trained ewes through an automated Walk-over-Weighing device, by using water and mineral salts as attractants. Total individual intake of hay measured in the automatic feeder at each meal (H intake) was compared with indirect estimates of feed intake determined using differences in the BW of the ewes (∆BW) before and 1 h following morning and afternoon feeding at fixed times. The BW, BCS, H intake, H intake24, as well as plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and insulin profiles were determined. The BW was higher in ADU v. HOG but BCS was not affected by parity. The H intake24 was affected by day of experiment as a consequence of reduced availability and intake of water on one day. Plasma glucose, NEFA and insulin were not affected by parity or day of experiment. The H Intake was and ∆BW tended to be higher in the morning in HOG, whereas H intake was and ∆BW tended to be higher in ADU at the afternoon meal. Irrespective of parity or feeding time, there was very strong correlation (r 2=0.93) between H intake and ∆BW. This relationship confirms that our indirect method of estimating individual forage intake was reliable within the strictly controlled conditions of the present experiment. The method appears suitable for use in short-term intensive group feeding situations, and has potential to be further developed for longer-term forage intake studies, with a view to developing a method for freely grazing ruminants.

Partial or total replacement of commercial concentrate with on-farm-grown mulberry forage: effects on lamb growth and feeding costs.

Replacing commercial concentrate with mulberry foliage was evaluated in a feeding trial lasting 126 days. Forty-eight weaned male Pelibuey lambs (20.6 ± 0.80 kg of BW) were randomly allocated to four groups: (1) supplementing the basal diet with mulberry at 1% (DM basis; M-1), (2) mulberry at 0.75% plus 0.1 kg concentrate fresh matter basis (M-0.75), (3) mulberry at 0.50% plus 0.2 kg concentrate (M-0.50) and (4) basal diet plus 0.3 kg concentrate (control; M-0). During the first 90 days, the basal diet was Pennisetum purpureum forage which was substituted by a mixture of guinea grass and sugarcane from 90 days. Average daily gain (ADG, g/day), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion rate (FCR; DMI/ADG) were determined. The ADG was affected (P < 0.01) by the diet, with the lowest obtained in M-1 lambs (71 ± 6.4 g/day), whereas no differences among the other groups were observed (94 ± 6.4 g DM/lamb). The DMI was higher (P < 0.01) in M-0 (937 g DM/lamb) which concomitantly affected differences in FCR (11.9, 9.9, 10.5 and 9.7 kg DMI/kg BW gain for M-1, M-0.75, M-0.50 and M-0 lambs, respectively). Final BW at slaughtering and hot or cold carcass yields were coherent with growth rate findings. Biological yield (cold carcass weight/empty BW) was higher (P < 0.01) in M-0.75. Without compromising animal productivity, replacing imported concentrate with mulberry reduced the feeding cost. Optimum results were obtained with M-75 diet. Further studies must be conducted for optimizing energy/protein ratios with different ingredients while increasing DMI and lamb growth rates in this tropical genotype.

Apricot and other seed stones: amygdalin content and the potential to obtain antioxidant, angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor and hypocholesterolemic peptides.

Stones from olives and Prunus genus fruits are cheap and sustainable sources of proteins and could be potential sources of bioactive peptides. The main limitation to the use of these seeds is the presence of amygdalin. This work proposes to determine amygdalin in olive and Prunus seeds and in protein isolates obtained from them. Moreover, antioxidant, angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and hypocholesterolemic properties will be evaluated in hydrolysates obtained from these seeds. Despite some seeds contained amygdalin, all protein isolates were free of this substance. Two different procedures to obtain bioactive peptides from protein isolates were examined: gastrointestinal digestion and processing with Alcalase, Flavourzyme or Thermolysin. Higher antioxidant, ACE inhibitor and hypocholesterolemic activities were observed when proteins were processed with Alcalase, Flavourzyme or Thermolysin. The highest antioxidant and ACE inhibitor capacities were observed for the Prunus genus seed hydrolysates while the highest capacity to reduce micellar cholesterol solubility was observed for the apricot and olive seed hydrolysates.

Review: Towards the agroecological management of ruminants, pigs and poultry through the development of sustainable breeding programmes. II. Breeding strategies.

Agroecology uses ecological processes and local resources rather than chemical inputs to develop productive and resilient livestock and crop production systems. In this context, breeding innovations are necessary to obtain animals that are both productive and adapted to a broad range of local contexts and diversity of systems. Breeding strategies to promote agroecological systems are similar for different animal species. However, current practices differ regarding the breeding of ruminants, pigs and poultry. Ruminant breeding is still an open system where farmers continue to choose their own breeds and strategies. Conversely, pig and poultry breeding is more or less the exclusive domain of international breeding companies which supply farmers with hybrid animals. Innovations in breeding strategies must therefore be adapted to the different species. In developed countries, reorienting current breeding programmes seems to be more effective than developing programmes dedicated to agroecological systems that will struggle to be really effective because of the small size of the populations currently concerned by such systems. Particular attention needs to be paid to determining the respective usefulness of cross-breeding v. straight breeding strategies of well-adapted local breeds. While cross-breeding may offer some immediate benefits in terms of improving certain traits that enable the animals to adapt well to local environmental conditions, it may be difficult to sustain these benefits in the longer term and could also induce an important loss of genetic diversity if the initial pure-bred populations are no longer produced. As well as supporting the value of within-breed diversity, we must preserve between-breed diversity in order to maintain numerous options for adaptation to a variety of production environments and contexts. This may involve specific public policies to maintain and characterize local breeds (in terms of both phenotypes and genotypes), which could be used more effectively if they benefited from the scientific and technical resources currently available for more common breeds. Last but not least, public policies need to enable improved information concerning the genetic resources and breeding tools available for the agroecological management of livestock production systems, and facilitate its assimilation by farmers and farm technicians.

Review: Towards the agroecological management of ruminants, pigs and poultry through the development of sustainable breeding programmes: I-selection goals and criteria.

Agroecology uses natural processes and local resources rather than chemical inputs to ensure production while limiting the environmental footprint of livestock and crop production systems. Selecting to achieve a maximization of target production criteria has long proved detrimental to fitness traits. However, since the 1990s, developments in animal breeding have also focussed on animal robustness by balancing production and functional traits within overall breeding goals. We discuss here how an agroecological perspective should further shift breeding goals towards functional traits rather than production traits. Breeding for robustness aims to promote individual adaptive capacities by considering diverse selection criteria which include reproduction, animal health and welfare, and adaptation to rough feed resources, a warm climate or fluctuating environmental conditions. It requires the consideration of genotype×environment interactions in the prediction of breeding values. Animal performance must be evaluated in low-input systems in order to select those animals that are adapted to limiting conditions, including feed and water availability, climate variations and diseases. Finally, we argue that there is no single agroecological animal type, but animals with a variety of profiles that can meet the expectations of agroecology. The standardization of both animals and breeding conditions indeed appears contradictory to the agroecological paradigm that calls for an adaptation of animals to local opportunities and constraints in weakly artificialized systems tied to their physical environment.

La codificación como instrumento en la gestión clínica de las unidades del dolor / The codification as tool in the clinic management of pain units

Introducción: los principales instrumentos de información para la gestión clínica se basan en la recogida sistemática de datos clínicos, que se materializa en el CMBD, y en la utilización de sistemas de clasificación de pacientes, siendo los AP-GRD los adoptados en nuestro país por la administración sanitaria. Los datos necesarios para realizar la agrupación en GRD están contenidos en el CMBD y entre ellos están: diagnóstico principal, intervenciones o procedimientos y diagnósticos secundarios, que deben estar codificados con la CIE-9-MC. El sistema GRD es un instrumento de gestión, que permite una contabilidad analítica, a través de los pesos relativos de cada GRD. Objetivos: mostrar la codificación de los diagnósticos que se realizan en una Unidad Multidisciplinar de Dolor Crónico mediante la CIE-9-MC, único sistema reconocido a nivel institucional, y evidenciar la importancia que tiene la codificación correcta de los diagnósticos de dolor para obtener los GRD que describan más adecuadamente el grado de complejidad de los procesos tratados, con su correspondiente 'coste por proceso'. Material y métodos: se han revisado las historias clínicas para obtener la información necesaria para realizar la codificación. A cada diagnóstico se le asigna un código principal y si es preciso uno o varios códigos secundarios. Se debe asignar un código para el procedimiento realizado. Una vez realizada la codificación, junto con los datos necesarios de cada paciente, se obtienen los diferentes GRD, con sus pesos correspondientes. Resultados: se han codificado diagnósticos con la CIE-9-MC desde el año 2002 al 2012, realizando una base de datos con la codificación de los diagnósticos más frecuentes en una Unidad de Dolor. Se ha obtenido cada año información sobre la agrupación de patologías mediante GRD, y su peso correspondiente. De 2002 a 2009 el GRD más frecuente fue el 243, 'Patología médica de columna vertebral' en el 57% de los casos. A partir del año 2010 se introdujo la nueva codificación que incluye el código 338 y como consecuencia cambiaron los GRD. La categoría 338, 'Dolor no clasificado bajo otros conceptos', se enmarca dentro del capítulo de Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso y Órganos de los Sentidos. Los GRD más frecuentes han sido: 035, 'Otros trastornos del sistema nervioso, sin CC' en el 42,28% de los casos; 243 'Patología médica de columna vertebral' en el 18% y 019 'Trastornos de nervios craneales y periféricos sin CC' en el 15,5%. Se describen las características de estos GRD y los diagnósticos de dolor que se han incluido en cada uno de ellos. Conclusiones: el uso de la codificación de diagnósticos y procedimientos con la CIE-9-MC supone un esfuerzo por unificar el lenguaje que se utiliza en la práctica clínica. Es preciso que la codificación se realice correcta y consistentemente para obtener resultados que reflejen la actividad real que se realiza en un servicio y lo que cuesta. Para que realmente la codificación influya en la gestión clínica por procesos, es fundamental que los responsables de las unidades conozcan estas herramientas. A medio plazo, se instaurará en la actividad clínica en España el uso de la CIE-10-MC (AU)

Introduction: The main tools of information for clinical management are based on the systematic collection of clinical data, which is embodied in the MDS (Minimum Basic Data Set), and the use of patient classification systems, being the AP-DRGs those adopted in our country for the health administration. The data needed to perform the grouping DRGs are contained in the MDS and among them are: The main diagnosis, interventions or other procedures performed and secondary diagnoses, which should be coded with ICD-9-CM. The DRG system is a management tool that allows an analytical accounting system, through the relative weights of each DRG. Objectives: To show the codification of diagnoses that are carried out in a Multidisciplinary Unit of Chronic Pain by ICD-9- CM, unique system officially recognized by our health services, and demonstrate the importance that correct coding of diagnoses of pain has to obtain the DRGs that best describe the degree of complexity of the processes that are treated, with the corresponding 'cost per case'. Material and methods: We reviewed the medical records to obtain the information necessary to perform the encoding. For each diagnoses a master code (main diagnoses) is assigned and if necessary one or more secondary codes are added. It is assigned a code for the procedure performed. Once the codification is obtain, along with the necessary data for each patient, the various DRGs are obtained, with their corresponding weights. Results: Diagnoses were coded with ICD-9-CM from 2002 until 2012, performing a database with encoding of the most common diagnoses in a chronic pain unit. It has been obtained each year information about grouping of pathologies by DRG, and its weights. From 2002 to 2009 the most common DRG was the 243, 'Medical pathology of spine', that account for 57% of cases. Beginning in 2010, the new codification was introduced, including the code 338 and as a consequence the DRGs changed. The category 338, 'Pain not classified under other concepts', is part of the chapter of Diseases of the Nervous System and Senses Organs. The most frequent DRGs were: 035 'Other disorders of nervous system without CC', 42.28% of cases; 243 'Medical pathology spine' 18% and 019 'Disorders of cranial and peripheral nerves without CC' 15.5%. The characteristics of these DRGs are described together the diagnoses of pain that are included in each of them. Conclusions: The use of coding diagnoses and procedures with ICD-9-CM is an effort to unify the language used in clinical practice. It is necessary that the coding is done correctly and consistently to get results that reflect real activity that takes place in a service and what it costs. In order for the codification to become relevant in the clinical management by processes, it is essential that the unit managers must be familiar with these tools. In the medium term, the used of ICD-10-CM will be established in clinical practice in Spain (AU)

The effects of parity, litter size, physiological state, and milking frequency on the metabolic profile of Lacaune dairy ewes.

Effects of parity (primiparous, PRIM vs multiparous, MULT) and litter size (singletons, SING vs twins, TWIN) on metabolic profiles from 1 wk before lambing to the end of lactation were studied in 48 Lacaune dairy ewes reared in confinement during most of the year and grazed on improved pastures at the end of lactation (summer). Another group of 48 ewes was incorporated during the milking period (ie, from 1 wk after weaning), to measure the effects of milking frequency (1 vs 2 milkings per day) on intake, milk production and composition, and body energy usage. Thus, in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, ewes (n = 96) were allocated to homogeneous groups according to body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) and were monitored from late pregnancy to late lactation as a function of parity (PRIM, n = 48; MULT, n = 48), litter size (LSi) (SING, n = 40; TWIN, n = 56) and daily milking frequency (FREQ; milked once, ONE; n = 48; or twice, TWO; n = 48). Individual BW, BCS, plasma metabolites, and metabolic hormones were measured regularly (ie, 9 consecutive sampling dates). The BW was higher in MULT but no differences because of LSi or FREQ were detected at the intra-parity group level. The BCS was higher in MULT and in ewes with SING throughout the experiment. The latter was related to the demands for body reserves mobilization, as expressed by higher nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in ewes with TWIN from late pregnancy to weaning (35 d postpartum) in both PRIM and MULT ewes. This was consistent with higher insulin in MULT and higher triiodothyronine, leptin and insulin-like growth factor 1 in ewes with SING during this period. Differences in energy balance because of FREQ were evident after interpretation of plasma nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, insulin, and leptin concentration during the milking period. At similar feed intakes, ewes in ONE were in positive balance with regard to TWO. Overall, clear effects of parity, LSi, physiological states, and FREQ on metabolic profiles were found because of differences in nutrient partitioning when combining these experimental factors. Without considering FREQ, changes in metabolic measures in milking period were marginal compared with the periparturient adjustments performed until weaning to compensate energy deficiencies.

Forty research issues for the redesign of animal production systems in the 21st century.

Agroecology offers a scientific and operational framework for redesigning animal production systems (APS) so that they better cope with the coming challenges. Grounded in the stimulation and valorization of natural processes to reduce inputs and pollutions in agroecosystems, it opens a challenging research agenda for the animal science community. In this paper, we identify key research issues that define this agenda. We first stress the need to assess animal robustness by measurable traits, to analyze trade-offs between production and adaptation traits at within-breed and between-breed level, and to better understand how group selection, epigenetics and animal learning shape performance. Second, we propose research on the nutritive value of alternative feed resources, including the environmental impacts of producing these resources and their associated non-provisioning services. Third, we look at how the design of APS based on agroecological principles valorizes interactions between system components and promotes biological diversity at multiple scales to increase system resilience. Addressing such challenges requires a collection of theories and models (concept-knowledge theory, viability theory, companion modeling, etc.). Acknowledging the ecology of contexts and analyzing the rationales behind traditional small-scale systems will increase our understanding of mechanisms contributing to the success or failure of agroecological practices and systems. Fourth, the large-scale development of agroecological products will require analysis of resistance to change among farmers and other actors in the food chain. Certifications and market-based incentives could be an important lever for the expansion of agroecological alternatives in APS. Finally, we question the suitability of current agriculture extension services and public funding mechanisms for scaling-up agroecological practices and systems.

Rotura del hematoma subcapsular hepático en un recién nacido prematuro / Ruptured of hepatic subcapsular hematoma in premature infant

La presencia de un hematoma hepático subcapsular es una entidad clínica poco frecuente en el recién nacido, cuyo pronóstico es infausto si se produce su rotura. En la mayoría de los casos se ha diagnosticado post mortem en autopsias realizadas en fetos y recién nacidos. Se han asociado, entre otros, los siguientes factores predisponentes: antecedente de traumatismo en el momento del parto (después de la maniobra de reanimación cardiopulmonar), prematuridad, coagulopatías o laparotomía. Presentamos el caso de un recién nacido prematuro con hemoperitoneo secundario a la rotura de un hematoma subcapsular hepático, con una evolución favorable tras su rápido diagnóstico y actuación terapéutica (AU)

Subcapsular liver hematoma is a rare condition in newborns whose prognosis is poor if breaks. In most cases has been diagnosed after death at autopsy of the fetuses and newborns. Predisposing factors have been associated such as history of birth trauma, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, prematurity, coagulopathy or laparotomy among others. We report a case of a premature infant with hemoperitoneum secondary to rupture of a subcapsular hepatic hematoma with a favorable outcome after rapid diagnosis and therapeutic procedures (AU)

Circannual body reserve dynamics and metabolic profile changes in Romane ewes grazing on rangelands.

Throughout an entire year, 41 Romane ewes reared in an extensive rangeland were used to investigate temporal changes in body reserves (BRs) and profiles of related metabolites and metabolic hormones. Ewes were allocated to homogeneous groups according to BW and BCS and were distributed by parity (primiparous [PRIM], n = 21; multiparous [MULT], n = 20) and litter size (LSi; lambing singletons [SING], n = 21 or TWINS, n = 20). The feeding system was based on rotational grazing of rangeland paddocks and progressive supplementation with hay, silage, and barley at late pregnancy during the winter. Individual BW, BCS, plasma NEFA, ß-hydroxybutyrate (ß-OHB), glucose, insulin, leptin, and triiodothyronine (T3) were monitored at -56, -12, 8, 49, 76, 107, 156, 195, 216, 246, and 301 d relative to lambing. The BR mobilization was observed from late pregnancy to the end of suckling and varied as a function of the ewe energy balance but also because of transitions from fertilized to native rangeland paddocks and by supplementation. Contrarily, BR accretion occurred from weaning, during the dry-off, and until the start of the next pregnancy. Lipolysis was well reflected by NEFA, ß-OHB, and T3 kinetics. Mean BW (but not mean BCS) was affected by parity (MULT > PRIM), whereas both BW and BCS were influenced by LSi (SING > TWINS) but only for MULT. The most drastic BW loss was observed during the mid-suckling period (49 d in milk [DIM]) in all ewes. The lack of effects of LSi in PRIM but not in MULT was also evident in the majority of blood plasma kinetics, which were affected (P < 0.0001) by physiological stage in all ewes. A tendency to ketosis (ß-OHB) was found in ewes nursing TWINS around lambing, irrespective of parity. Glucose concentrations were greater during suckling and dry-off, and a peak (0.96 ± 0.05 g/L) was attained at 156 DIM in MULT nursing TWINS. The highest plasma leptin concentration was observed during the start and the middle of the next pregnancy in MULT (107-216 DIM; 9.6 ± 0.44 ng/mL). In all ewes the physiological stage affected T3, which was affected by LSi just in MULT (from late pregnancy, MULT by SING > MULT by TWINS; 99.91 vs 85.52 ng/dL) and during suckling (111.7 ± 4.18 ng/dL). Lamb BW was affected at birth and weaning by parity (MULT > PRIM) and LSi (SING > TWINS). Overall, temporal changes in BR were directly affected by the transition of physiological states and feeding levels, whereas individual responses were predetermined by parity. In MULT, the reactivity and magnitude of response was influenced by LSi. The whole set of parameters allowed us to detect sensitive and critical periods throughout the entire annual cycle. We thus identified opportunities for improved nutritional management, for example, during physiological states usually underestimated such as early and mid-pregnancy. This work indicates the applicability of long-term studies about BR dynamics in ruminants as a potential component contributing to farm economic resilience.

Osteomielitis subaguda del astrágalo asociada a impétigo perioral / Subacute osteomyelitis of the talus associated with perioral impetigo

El impétigo es una infección cutánea bacteriana, superficial y contagiosa, ocasionada habitualmente porel Staphylococcus aureus, que en ocasiones origina complicaciones, como infecciones osteoarticulares, por propagación sistémica. La osteomielitis subaguda es un proceso caracterizado por un cuadro clínico, analítico y radiológico inespecífico, lo que suele retrasar el diagnóstico, sobre todo cuando aparece en localizaciones inusuales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente varón de 18 meses de edad, con un cuadro de impétigo perioral, que desarrolló una osteomielitis subaguda en el astrágalo y una artritis séptica en el tobillo. Las pruebas analíticas, microbiológicas y radiológicas iniciales fueron negativas, lo que retrasó el diagnóstico 18 días. Tras el fracaso de tratamiento antibiótico durante 2 semanas, se realizó un desbridamiento quirúrgico del absceso y un lavado de la articulación, asociando antibioterapia parenteral y oral de amplio espectro frente a S. aureus meticilín resistente durante 4 semanas más. Concluimos que es necesaria una rápida sospecha diagnóstica de la osteomielitis hematógena en pacientes con antecedentes infecciosos recientes y clínica osteoarticular asociada. El diagnóstico precoz y un acuidadosa elección del tratamiento son fundamentales para prevenir las posibles recaídas y secuelas (AU)

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection, superficial, contagious, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which causes complications such as bone and joint infections, by systemic propagation. Subacute osteomyelitis is a process characterized by nonspecific analytical and radiological symptoms, which often delays the diagnosis especially when it appears on unusual locations. Let us report an 18 month old male patient with symptoms of perioral impetigo who developed a subacute osteomyelitis in the talus and septic arthritis in the ankle. Lab microbiological and radiological test were negative, which delayed diagnosis for 18 days. After failure of two weeks, antibiotic treatment surgical debridement of the abscess and washing of the joint were practiced, associating to it a four weeks parenteral and oral broad spectrum antibiotic therapy against methicillin-resistant S. aureus. We conclude that it is necessary a rough fast diagnosis of hematogenous osteomyelitis in patients with recent history and clinical osteoarticular infections associated. Early diagnosis and careful choice of treatment are essential to prevent relapses and sequelae (AU)