Geothermal food dehydrator system, operation and sensory analysis, and dehydrated pineapple quality.

Food dehydration is a preservation technique that guarantees its supply. Food like vegetables and fruits are traditionally dehydrated with natural gas or solar energy, however, this work demonstrates the feasibility of doing it with energy from a geothermal power plant in Nayarit, Mexico. Different species of pineapple (Miel, Cayenne, and Esmeralda) were dehydrated at different temperatures from 64 to 80°C and the safety of the product was subsequently verified, for these aerobic mesophiles (<230 ufc/g), total coliforms (<0.3 s.m.), molds and yeasts (<120 v.e.), and salmonella spp (Absent in 25 g), and results were obtained within the proposed specifications, which were generated taking as reference the national and international guidance standards. A sensory evaluation, a modified Flash Profile (mFP), was carried out with a group of judges trained in descriptive methodology, since a better consensus of responses was obtained, thus demonstrating the usability of mFP for food dehydration. The studies of pineapple allowed the evaluation of production with the DGA 200 technology, and the microbiological standards, as well as sensory and physicochemical parameters, were considering just to verify that product is suitable for human consumption. The technology is a system that takes advantage of the heat of the earth, with which it is possible to work 7 days a week or the entire pineapple season. Physicochemical changes caused by its dehydration with respect to the content of vitamin C, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber in the three species of dehydrated pineapple were measured. In the fresh samples, an average concentration of vitamin C 9 mg/100 g, carbohydrates 11.6 g sugar/100 g, and dietary fiber 0.96% were measured. The dehydrated samples presented an average value of vitamin C of 95 mg/100 g, carbohydrates 72.6 g sugar/100 g, and dietary fiber 8.6%, these results were similar to Mühlbauer and Müller, 2020, Drying atlas, drying kinetics and quality of agricultural products, Elsevier.

Methodology for the Generation of High-Quality Ultrasonic Images of Complex Geometry Pieces Using Industrial Robots.

Industrial robotic arms integrated with server computers, sensors and actuators have revolutionized the way automated non-destructive testing is performed in the aeronautical sector. Currently, there are commercial, industrial robots that have the precision, speed and repetitiveness in their movements that make them suitable for use in numerous non-destructive testing inspections. Automatic ultrasonic inspection of complex geometry parts remains one of the most difficult challenges in the market. The closed configuration, i.e., restricted access to internal motion parameters, of these robotic arms makes it difficult for an adequate synchronism between the movement of the robot and the acquisition of the data. This is a serious problem in the inspection of aerospace components, where high-quality images are necessary to assess the condition of the inspected component. In this paper, we applied a methodology recently patented for the generation of high-quality ultrasonic images of complex geometry pieces using industrial robots. The methodology is based on the calculation of a synchronism map after a calibration experiment and to introduce this corrected map in an autonomous, independent external system developed by the authors to obtain precise ultrasonic images. Therefore, it has been shown that it is possible to establish the synchronization of any industrial robot with any ultrasonic imaging generation system to generate high-quality ultrasonic images.

Effect of varying dietary crude protein and metabolizable energy levels on leg abnormalities and performance in broiler chickens

Background: Nutrient restriction is a common strategy to prevent metabolic disorders in fast growing broiler chickens, but limited information is available regarding the impact of diets with low protein and energy on leg abnormalities Objective: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of varying crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) levels on gastrocnemius tendon (GTeBS) and tibia breaking strength (TiBS), gait score (GS) and valgus/varus angulation (VAng). Methods: In Experiment 1, eight-d-old Ross 308 broilers (n=90) were randomly assigned into three treatments: 13/2,900 (13% CP and 2,900 kcal ME kg-1 of diet), 17/3,000 (17% CP and 3,000 kcal ME kg-1 of diet), and 21/3,025 or control (21% CP and 3,025 kcal ME kg-1 of diet). In Experiment 2, six-d-old Ross 308 chickens (n=192) were randomly distributed into two treatments: 16/3,000; 16% CP and 3,000 kcal ME kg-1 of diet and 21/3,000 or control; 21% CP and 3,000 kcal ME kg-1 of diet. In both experiments data were analyzed as one-way ANOVA. Results: In Experiment 1, broilers in the 17/3,000 and control treatments had similar (p>0.05) GTeBS (202 and 224 N, respectively), and TiBS (338 and 332 N, respectively). Birds in the 13/2,900 treatment showed higher GS (lower walking ability; 80% of birds with score >3), and greater VAng (53% of birds with score >2) than broilers in the control treatment (0% of birds with GS score >3 and 0% of birds with VAng score >2). Experiment 2, broilers in the 16/3,000 showed similar VAng, GS and TiBS than birds in the control treatment. However, birds in the 16/3,000 treatment showed lower (-26%) GTeBS than birds in the control treatment (p<0.05). Conclusions: Feeding broilers with 16% CP and 3,000 kcal ME kg-1 of diet did not affect tibia breaking strength, gait score and valgus/varus angulation. A diet containing 16% CP or less and 2,900-3,000 kcal ME kg-1 reduces tendon and tibia breaking strength.

Antecedentes: La restricción de nutrientes es una estrategia común para prevenir trastornos metabólicos en pollos de engorde, sin embargo, se dispone de información limitada sobre el impacto de las dietas bajas en proteína y energía en las anomalías de piernas. Objetivo: Se llevaron a cabo dos experimentos para evaluar el efecto de niveles variables de proteína cruda (PC) y energía metabolizable (EM) en la fuerza de rotura del tendón del gastrocnemio (GTeBS) y tibia (TiBS), la evaluación de marcha (GS) y la angulación en valgus/varus (VAng). Métodos: En el Experimento 1, pollos de engorde Ross 308 de ocho días de edad (n = 90) se asignaron al azar en tres tratamientos: 13/2.900; 13% PC y 2.900 kcal ME kg-1 de dieta, 17/3.000; 17% PC y 3.000 kcal ME kg-1 de dieta y 21/3.025 o control; 21% PC y 3.025 kcal ME kg-1 de dieta. En el Experimento 2, pollos Ross 308 de seis días de edad (n = 192) se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en dos tratamientos: 16/3.000; 16% PC y 3.000 kcal ME kg-1 de dieta y 21/3.000 o control; 21% PC y 3.000 kcal ME kg-1 de dieta. En ambos experimentos los datos se analizaron como ANOVA de una vía. Resultados: En el Experimento 1, los pollos de los tratamientos 17/3.000 y control tuvieron GTeBS (202 y 224 N, respectivamente) y TiBS (338 y 332 N, respectivamente) similares (p>0,05). Las aves del tratamiento 13/2.900 mostraron mayor GS (menor capacidad para caminar; 80% de las aves con puntaje >3) y mayor VAng (53% de las aves con puntaje >2) que los pollos del tratamiento control (0% de aves con un puntaje GS >3 y 0% de aves con un puntaje VAng >2). En el Experimento 2, los pollos del 16/3.000 mostraron VAng, GS y TiBS similares a los de las aves del tratamiento control. Sin embargo, las aves del tratamiento 16/3.000 mostraron menor (-26%) GTeBS que las aves control (p<0,05). Conclusiones: La alimentación de pollos de engorde con 16% PC y 3.000 kcal EM kg-1 de dieta no afecta la resistencia a la ruptura de la tibia, la marcha y la angulación valgus/varus. La dieta formulada con 16% de PC o menos y 2.900-3.000 kcal de EM kg-1 reduce la resistencia a la ruptura del tendón y de la tibia.

Antecedentes: A restrição de nutrientes é uma estratégia comum para prevenir distúrbios metabólicos em frangos de corte, no entanto, há informações limitadas disponíveis sobre o impacto de dietas de baixa proteína e baixa energia nas anormalidades de pernas destas aves. Objetivo: Dois experimentos foram realizados para avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de proteína bruta (PB) e energia metabolizável (EM) em força de ruptura do tendão do músculo gastrocnêmio (GTeBS), forca de ruptura da tíbia (TiBS), gait score (GS) e angulação em valgus/varus (VAng). Métodos: Experimento 1, foram utilizados 308 frangos de corte machos da linhagem Ross com oito dias de idade (n = 90) distribuidos aleatoriamente em três tratamentos: dieta controle com 21% PB e 3.025 kcal EM kg-1 13/2.900; dieta con 13% PB e 2.900 kcal EM kg-1, y 17% PB e 3.000 kcal EM kg-1 . Experimento 2, foram utilizados 308 frangos de corte da linhagem Ross com seis dias de idade (n = 192) distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois tratamentos: dieta controle con 21% PB e 3.000 kcal EM kg-1 e dieta com 16% PB e 3.000 kcal EM kg-1 . Em ambos os experimentos, os dados foram submetidos a ANOVA. Resultados: Experimento 1, os frangos de corte submetidos ao dos tratamentos 17/3.000 e controle nao apresentaram diferencas significativas (p>0,05) para as variáveis GteBS (202 y 224 N, respectivamente) e TiBS (338 y 332 N, respectivamente). Os frangos submetidos ao 13/2.900 apresentaram maior frequência de GS (menor capacidade de locomocao; 80% das aves com pontuação>3) e maior VAng (53% das aves com pontuação>2) do que os frangos do tratamento controle (0% das aves com pontuação GS>3 e 0% das aves com pontuação VAng>2). Experimento 2, os frangos do 16/3.000 apresentaram VAng, GS e TiBS semelhantes aos das aves do tratamento controle. Entretanto, as aves do tratamento 16/3.000 apresentaram GTeBS mais baixo (-26%) em comparacao as aves do tratamento de controle (p<0,05). Conclusões: A dieta com 16% PB e 3.000 kcal EM kg-1 não afetou a forca de ruptura da tíbia, gaite score marcha e angulação em valgus/varus de frangos de corte. Uma dieta com níveis de 16% de PB ou menos e 2.900-3.000 kcal EM kg-1 reduziu a resistência à ruptura do tendão e a resistência de tibia de frangos de corte.

Sarcoma de la vena pulmonar / Sarcoma of the pulmonary vein

Resumen Los sarcomas son neoplasias primarias, cuya ubicación es rara en grandes vasos y excepcional en las venas pulmonares. Los dos tipos más frecuentes en las venas pulmonares son el leiomiosarcoma y el fibrosarcoma, con una distribución alrededor de la cuarta a la quinta décadas de vida, un pronóstico de 23 meses y 60% de metástasis al momento del diagnóstico. La presentación clínica es inespecífica ya que simula situaciones como embolia pulmonar, falla cardiaca descompensada y masa en la aurícula izquierda. Para su diagnóstico se cuenta con diferentes herramientas, como la ecocardiografía, la tomografía computarizada, la angiografía coronaria, la resonancia magnética y la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET TC). El tratamiento incluye resección quirúrgica radical, manejo adyuvante con quimioterapia y radioterapia, e incluso, en casos seleccionados, trasplante de corazón. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con diagnóstico inicial de embolia pulmonar, con un episodio de edema pulmonar secundario a masa en la aurícula izquierda y extensión de un sarcoma de vena pulmonar derecha, con desenlace fatal. Se aporta a la literatura con el caso y la revisión de tema.

Abstract Sarcomas are primary neoplasms, whose location is rare in large vessels and in the pulmonary veins is exceptional. The two most frequent types in the pulmonary vein are leiomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma, distribution around 4 and 5 decades of life, with a prognosis of 23 months and 60% metastasis at the time of diagnosis. The clinical presentation is nonspecific simulating situations such as pulmonary embolism, decompensated heart failure and mass in the left atrium. Different tools are available for its diagnosis, like echocardiography, computed tomography, coronary angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and PET CT. Treatment includes radical surgical resection, adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, even heart transplantation in selected cases. It is presented the case of a patient with an initial diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, with an episode of pulmonary edema secondary to a mass in the left atrium, extension of a sarcoma of the right pulmonary vein, with a fatal outcome. We contributed to the literature with the case and review of theme.

The impact of COVID-19 on consumer evaluation of authentic advertising messages.

This study investigates the relationship between the COVID-19 threat and consumer evaluation of a product with authenticity appeals in advertisements. We propose that threatening situations like COVID-19 motivate consumers to lower their uncertainty and increase their preference for products with authentic advertising messages. Because individuals react differently to threatening environments according to their early-life experiences, commonly reflected in childhood socioeconomic status, we examined whether childhood socioeconomic status moderates the relationship between threat and consumer evaluation of authenticity in advertisements. First, secondary data from Google Trends provided empirical support for our predictions. In additional experimental studies, participants evaluated different target products in four studies that either manipulated (Studies 2 and 3) or measured (Studies 4 and 5) COVID-19 threat. Our results provide converging evidence that consumers positively evaluate products with authentic advertising messages under the COVID-19 threat. Consumers' motivation to lower their uncertainty underlies the effect of COVID-19 threat on their evaluation of authentic messages (Study 3). This attempt to reduce uncertainty is more likely to occur for consumers with relatively higher childhood socioeconomic status (Studies 4 and 5). These findings suggest that using authenticity appeals during a pandemic could effectively reduce consumers' perceived uncertainty and generate positive consumer evaluations.

Características clínicas y sociodemográficas de una población adulta con tumores neuroendocrinos

Introducción: Los tumores neuroendocrinos representan un grupo de neoplasias de baja incidencia que derivan de células neuroendocrinas distribuidas en todo el cuerpo en especial sistema respiratorio y gastrointestinal. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y sociodemográficas de una población adulta con padecimiento de tumores neuroendocrinos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal, se evaluaron 91 historias clínicas con diagnóstico de tumores neuroendocrinos confirmados por patología entre los años 2013 a 2020. Análisis realizado en Microsoft Excel 2013 y EpiInfo 7.2. Resultados: La media de edad fue 60 años, con predominio en hombres (57%). Los principales antecedentes fueron el tabaquismo (35%), hipertensión arterial (22%) y EPOC (9%). Los principales síntomas fueron el dolor abdominal (43%), pérdida de peso (31%) y tos (26%). Según el origen, fueron más frecuentes los de intestino anterior (75%), predominando los de tracto respiratorio (39,5%). En el 21,9%, el origen fue desconocido. Teniendo en cuenta la clasificación 2019 de la OMS, predominaron los carcinomas neuroendocrinos (56%), de los cuales el más frecuente fue el carcinoma de células pequeñas. Entre los bien diferenciados (44%), fueron más frecuentes los de bajo grado (58%) seguido grado intermedio (24%) y bajo grado (17%). Las metástasis se registraron en 37% de los casos con afectación principalmente hepática (49%), ganglios (21%) y sistema nervioso central (9%). La muerte se presentó en el 24% de los casos. Conclusiones: Los resultados del presente estudio concuerdan con lo reportado a nivel mundial, resaltando el predominio de los tumores de origen pulmonar, como también clínica semejante según los órganos afectados.

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumors represent a group of low-incidence neoplasms derived from neuroendocrine cells distributed throughout the body, especially the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Objective: To determine the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of an adult population with neuroendocrine tumors. Materials and methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 91 medical records with a diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors confirmed by pathology were evaluated between the years 2013 and 2020. Analysis carried out in Microsoft Excel 2013 and EpiInfo 7.2. Results: The mean age was 60 years, with a predominance in men (57%). The main antecedents were smoking (35%), arterial hypertension (22%), and COPD (9%). The main symptoms were abdominal pain (43%), weight loss (31%), and cough (26%). According to the origin, those of the foregut were more frequent (75%), predominantly those of the respiratory tract (39.5%). In 21.9%, the origin was unknown. Taking into account 2019 WHO classification, neuroendocrine carcinomas predominated (56%), of which the most frequent was small cell carcinoma. Among the well-differentiated (44%), low-grade (58%) followed by intermediate grade (24%) and low-grade (17%). Metastases were registered in 37% of the cases with mainly liver involvement (49%), lymph nodes (21%), and central nervous system (9%). Death occurred in 24% of cases. Conclusions: The results of the present study coincide with those reported worldwide, highlighting the predominance of tumors of pulmonary origin, as well as similar clinical symptoms according to the affected organs

Laparoscopy for traumatic pancreatitis. case report

ABSTRACT Introduction: Traumatic pancreatitis (TP) comprises less than 10% of all abdominal traumas but can reach mortality and morbidity rates of up to 34% and 64%, respectively. The treatment of TP has a conservative approach, followed by minimally invasive procedures and surgery if the evolution is torpid. Case report: A 54-year-old male patient with blunt trauma in right hypochondrium due to a bovine kick developed moderate-severe TP and grade IV pancreatic injury (PI). He underwent laparoscopic surgery twice with adequate clinical evolution. He required antibiotic therapy for 19 days and hospitalization for 29 days, of which 9 were in the ICU. Conclusion: The diagnosis of TP is difficult to achieve due to the retroperitoneal location of the pancreas. The treatment of this condition is usually conservative, preferring clinical management with percutaneous or endoscopic drainage over surgical drainage due to its low morbidity and mortality. The recommended surgical approach to these patients is laparotomy; however, the laparoscopic approach is a therapeutic option to be considered for comprehensive management.

RESUMEN Introducción. La pancreatitis postraumática ocurre en menos del 10% de los traumas abdominales, pero su mortalidad y morbilidad llegan a ser de 34% y 64%, respectivamente. El abordaje de esta condición es conservador en primera instancia, seguido de técnicas mínimamente invasivas y finalmente cirugía si hay evolución pobre. Presentación del caso. Paciente masculino de 54 años de edad con trauma cerrado en hipocondrio derecho por patada de bovino, quien presentó pancreatitis postraumática moderadamente severa y trauma pancreático grado IV. El sujeto, intervenido mediante laparoscopia en dos ocasiones con adecuada evolución clínica, requirió terapia con antibióticos por 19 días y hospitalización por 29 días. Conclusión. El diagnóstico de la pancreatitis postraumática es difícil dada la localización retroperitoneal del páncreas. La tendencia en el manejo de esta condición es conservadora, prefiriendo el manejo clínico acompañado de drenajes percutáneos o endoscópicos sobre el manejo quirúrgico. El abordaje quirúrgico recomendado en pacientes con pancreatitis postraumática es la laparotomía; sin embargo, el abordaje laparoscópico es una opción terapéutica a tener en cuenta dentro de las opciones del manejo integral.

Evaluation of growth production factors as predictors of the incidence and severity of white striping and woody breast in broiler chickens.

White striping (WS) and woody breast (WB) have been previously associated with older and heavier birds. However, there is limited information supporting the association between these 2 muscle conditions and growth parameters. The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the relationship between WS and WB using different growth production factors and 2) to propose a predictive model that uses growth production factors to investigate the incidence and severity of WS and WB. A combined database of 4,332 broilers pooled from 7 research experiments conducted from 2016 to 2017 at Texas A&M University was used in this study. Parameters such as sex, age (4 wk, 6 wk, and 8 wk), strain (standard A vs. high-breast-yield [B and C]), live weight categories (500 g increments), and breast weight categories (250 g increments) were included in the model. Results showed that WS was 12% more likely to be present in non-WB fillets. The association between WS and WB suggests a moderate relationship between the ranks of both outcome variables (ρ = 0.57, P < 0.0001). Variables such as age, live weight, and sex were not as important as breast weight and strain in the severity prediction of WS and WB. Butterfly fillets above 750 g and with high-breast-yielding strains were more likely associated with higher severity of WS and WB scores. No post hoc variable selection was performed. Both models show good discrimination. The WS model produced an uncorrected area under the curve (AUC) of 0.739, with a bootstrap corrected estimate of 0.736. The WB model produced an uncorrected AUC of 0.753 and a bootstrap corrected estimate of 0.752. Therefore, the growth production factors analyzed in this study indicated that there is a moderate relationship between WS and WB myopathies and were jointly predictive of the severity of WS and WB. Potentially other factors not included in this study may play a major role in the relationship of these 2 myopathies. More research should be done to investigate this possibility.

Magnesium-based biodegradable microelectrodes for neural recording.

This article reports fabrication, characterization, degradation and electrical properties of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) microwires coated with two functional polymers, and the first in vivo evidence on the feasibility of Mg-based biodegradable microelectrodes for neural recording. Conductive poly(3,4­ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coating was first electrochemically deposited onto Mg microwire surface, and insulating biodegradable poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) was then spray-coated onto PEDOT surface to improve the overall properties of microelectrode. The assembled PGS/PEDOT-coated Mg microelectrodes showed high homogeneity in coating thickness, surface morphology and composition before and after in vivo recording. The charge storage capacity (CSC) of PGS/PEDOT-coated Mg microwire (1.72 mC/cm2) was nearly 5 times higher than the standard platinum (Pt) microwire widely used in implantable electrodes. The Mg-based microelectrode demonstrated excellent neural-recording capability and stability during in vivo multi-unit neural recordings in the auditory cortex of a mouse. Specifically, the Mg-based electrode showed clear and stable onset response, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio during spontaneous-activity recordings and three repeats of stimulus-evoked recordings at two different anatomical locations in the auditory cortex. During 10 days of immersion in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) in vitro, PGS/PEDOT-coated Mg microelectrodes showed slower degradation and less change in impedance than PEDOT-coated Mg electrodes. The biodegradable PGS coating protected the PEDOT coating from delamination, and prolonged the mechanical integrity and electrical properties of Mg-based microelectrode. Mg-based novel microelectrodes should be further studied toward clinical translation because they can potentially eliminate the risks and costs associated with secondary surgeries for removal of failed or no longer needed electrodes.

Impacts of Dietary Protein and Prebiotic Inclusion on Liver and Spleen Gene Expression in Hy-Line Brown Caged Layers.

The ingredients of poultry feeds are chosen based on the least-cost formulation to meet nutritional requirements. However, this approach can lead to the introduction of anti-nutritional ingredients in the feed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of two diets (with or without prebiotic) on homeostatic genes in the liver and spleen of laying hens. Hy-Line Brown layers were raised either on a soybean meal or cottonseed meal-based diets with and without an added prebiotic (yeast cell wall), totaling four experimental diets. A total of 120, 63-week old layers were housed individually in a wire cage system. We investigated differences in the expression of select homeostatic marker genes in the liver and spleen of hens from each treatment. We then used the ΔΔCT and generalized linear models to assess significance. Results show that the inclusion of prebiotic yeast cell-wall (YCW) increased the expression of the BAK gene in the liver tissue for both the soybean meal (SBM) and cottonseed meal (CSM) diets. For splenic tissue, the combination of YCW with the CSM diet increased the POR gene over six log2 fold. Altogether, our results suggest altered homeostasis, which can have consequences for health and performance.

Antimicrobial Bioresorbable Mg-Zn-Ca Alloy for Bone Repair in a Comparison Study with Mg-Zn-Sr Alloy and Pure Mg.

Magnesium-zinc-calcium (Mg-Zn-Ca) alloys have attracted increasing attention for biomedical implant applications, especially for bone repair, because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and similar mechanical properties to human bone. The objectives of this study were to characterize Mg-2 wt % Zn-0.5 wt % Ca (named ZC21) alloy pins microstructurally and mechanically, and determine their degradation and interactions with host cells and pathogenic bacteria in vitro and in vivo in comparison with the previously studied Mg-4 wt % Zn-1 wt % strontium (named ZSr41) alloy and Mg control. Specifically, the in vitro degradation and cytocompatibility of ZC21 pins with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were investigated using both direct culture and direct exposure culture methods. The adhesion density of BMSCs on ZC21 pins (i.e., direct contact) was significantly higher than on pure Mg pins in both in vitro culture methods; the cell adhesion density around ZC21 pins (i.e., indirect contact) was similar to the cell-only positive control in both in vitro culture methods. Interestingly, ZC21 showed a higher daily degradation rate, crack width and crack area ratio in the direct exposure culture than in the direct culture, suggesting different culture methods did affect its in vitro degradation behaviors. When cultured with Gram-positive bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), ZC21 reduced bacterial adhesion on the surface more significantly than that of ZSr41 and Mg. The in vivo degradation and biocompatibility of the ZC21 pins for bone regeneration were studied in a mouse femoral defect model. The in vivo degradation rate of ZC21 pins was much slower than that of ZSr41 alloy and Mg control pins. After 12 weeks of implantation in vivo, the ZC21 group showed the shortest gap at the femoral defect, indicating that ZC21 pins promoted osteogenesis and bone healing more than ZSr41 and Mg control pins. Overall, the ZC21 alloy is promising for bone repair, while providing antibacterial activities, and should be further studied toward clinical translation.

Osteomielitis secundaria a Pasteurella canis / Osteomyelitis due to Pasteurella canis

Resumen Se comunica el caso de una paciente que sufrió mordedura de perro. Solicitó atención médica inmediatamente en donde realizaron asepsia y antisepsia de la herida para posteriormente tratar la lesión. A las 12 horas la paciente comenzó a mostrar cambios de la coloración, aumento de temperatura, volumen y dolor de severa intensidad, por lo que acudió a nuestro hospital para valoración. Se tomaron cultivos y se realizó resonancia magnética, que mostró datos compatibles con infección de tejidos blandos y osteomielitis. En los cultivos se aisló Pasteurella canis. Se dio tratamiento con antibióticos orales con lo que se logró un desenlace favorable. El género Pasteurella lo constituyen cocobacilos gramnegativos, inmóviles, anaerobios facultativos. La cepa más aislada es P. canis posterior a mordeduras de perro y P. multocida y P. septicum en mordeduras de gato. La manifestación más frecuente es celulitis en el sitio de mordedura o arañazo. El diagnóstico se establece mediante métodos microbiológicos. El tratamiento de elección es la penicilina.

Abstract This paper reports a case of osteomyelitis due to Pasteurella canis after a dog bite. The patient requested medical care immediately after the bite, there were performed asepsis and antisepsis of the wound to later close the injury. After 12 hours, the patient's wound started changing colour with increase in temperature, volume and severe pain, so patient went to our hospital for evaluation. Cultures were taken, and magnetic resonance imaging showed images related to soft tissue infection and osteomyelitis. In cultures, Pasteurella canis was isolated. Treatment was given with oral antibiotics, achieving a favourable outcome. The genus Pasteurella are gram-negative, immobile, anaerobic facultative coccobacilli. The most isolated strain is P. canis after dog bites, and P. multocida and P. septicum in cat bites. The most frequent manifestation is cellulitis at the site of a bite or scratch. The diagnosis is made by microbiological methods. The treatment of choice is penicillin.

Performance of broilers fed diets supplemented with two yeast cell wall strains using two feeding strategies.

Different supplements or strategies have been proposed as alternatives to the use of antibiotics at sub-therapeutic levels in chickens. Mannan oligosaccharides and ß-glucans, yeast cell wall fractions (YCW), have been reported to beneficially influence broiler performance and health. Two differently produced yeast cell wall fractions derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated in this study using two different supplementation strategies offered to full-term broilers. The birds were placed in floor pens on used pine-shaving litter to increase potential microbial stress and mimic industry practice. The study utilized a three-phase feeding program with a 1- to 21-day starter, 21- to 35-day grower and 35- to 42-day finisher phases. Five dietary treatments were compared in this study. The experimental diets consisted of a control basal broiler diet; or the basal diet supplemented with the two differently produced fractions of YCW. The YCW products were supplemented at a constant 250 ppm or a decreasing concentration program (500, 250, 125 ppm) throughout the three feeding phases. Birds fed diets supplemented with either YCW products at any inclusion regimen demonstrated higher (P < 0.05) body weight (BW) in all three phases than control birds. The difference in final 42-day BW of the YCW treatments (3041 g) averaged 165 g higher (P < 0.05) than the control group. For all YCW treatments, productivity index was higher (P < 0.05) in the grower (418) and finisher phase (441) versus control birds (389 grower and 415 finisher). These results suggested that both YCW fractions prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can improve broiler performance when added at either a constant rate (250 ppm) or at a decreasing rate from 500 ppm for the starter to 125 ppm for the finisher phase.

Developing a novel oral vitamin D3 intake bioassay to re-evaluate the vitamin D3 requirement for modern broiler chickens.

The present study was conducted to develop a non-traditional vitamin D3 (D3) intake bioassay with the objective of increasing the precision of D3 delivery to the chickens. For this purpose, newly hatched chickens (5 birds per cage) were allocated in battery brooders and randomly distributed into 8 treatments and 6 replicates per treatment. A basal corn-soy diet devoid of D3 containing calculated calcium and non-phytate phosphorus concentrations of 0.90 and 0.45%, respectively, was fed throughout a 21-D period. The first 9 D of the study served to deplete the maternal stores of D3 followed by a 12-h fasting period. From day 10 to the end of the trial, the birds were gavaged with graded levels of D3 obtained from a highly purified pharmaceutical grade D3 standard (99.8%) purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and dissolved in corn oil. Daily gavage treatments were based on estimated intake of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 IU D3/kg of feed consumed over the last 12 D of the study. Precise cholecalciferol intake per kg of diet was adjusted based on actual daily feed intake per pen of birds. Performance data were evaluated from day 10 to 21. Percent tibia bone ash (TBA), tibia breaking strength (TBS), total mineral content, and total bone mineral density were obtained at day 21. The D3 treatments improved (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed efficiency. There was no linear or quadratic effect for any of the productivity performance variables. Graded levels of D3 improved (P < 0.05) TBA and TBS. Both were linearly increased (P < 0.05) in response to graded levels of D3. A quadratic response was observed for TBS only. Under the conditions of the present experiment and the average of 3 regression models, the D3 requirement for starter broilers was estimated at 285 IU D3/kg of feed when bone mineralization responses (TBA and TBS) were used as criteria to estimate the requirement.

Micosis en los pies: descripción clínico-epidemiológica en un centro de referencia de Bogotá, Colombia / Foot mycosis: clinical and epidemiological characterization in one referal center in Bogota, Colombia

Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de una población con diagnóstico de infección cutánea micótica en los pies confirmada por examen directo con KOH y cultivo en un centro de referencia de Bogotá, Colombia. Material y método: Estudio observacional descriptivo en el que se incluyeron todos los pacientes con lesiones en los pies que fueron atendidos en el servicio de micología entre el año 2011 y el 2016. Se analizaron las características sociodemográficas, clínicas, etiologías y el perfil de tratamiento por medio de un análisis bivariado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 305 pacientes, de los cuales el 82% residía en zona urbana de la ciudad de Bogotá. El hábito más frecuente fue bañarse descalzo, la forma clínica que predominó fue la interdigital y el 35% de los casos presentó de forma simultánea tiña del pie y onicomicosis. Los agentes etiológicos más comunes fueron los dermatofitos con el 95,2% de los casos. Discusión: La presentación clínica sugestiva de micosis, además del resultado positivo del examen directo y del cultivo, permiten hacer el diagnóstico de estas in fecciones. Las características sociodemográficas de quienes sufren este tipo de micosis en Colombia se relacionan con su contagiosidad y tendencia a la cronicidad. La intervención de tales aspectos debe hacer parte de las estrategias para su prevención.

Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the population with cutaneous mycosis in the feet confirmed by positive mycological studies diagnosed in a reference center in Bogota, Colombia. Methods: Descriptive observational study in which all patients with lesions in the feet that were treated in the mycology service between 2011 and 2016 were included. In all cases KOH examination and fungal culture were performed. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies and the treatment profile were assessed using a bivariate analysis. Results: A total of 305 patients were included, of which 61% were men and 82% lived in an urban area of the city of Bogota. The most common behavior was to take a barefoot bath, the most important comorbidities were venous insufficiency and psoriasis, the main clinical form was interdigital and 35% of the cases presented simultaneously tinea pedis and onychomycosis. The group of dermatophytes was the most frequently isolated (95.2%). Discussion: Clinical examination corresponding with mycosis in the feet, direct examination, and positive culture, allow the physician accurate diagnosis and guide the most appropriate treatment of these infections according to their etiology. The sociodemographic characteristics of those who suffer from this mycosis in Co lombia are related to their contagiousness and tendency to chronicity, therefore, the intervention of such aspects must be part of the strategies for their prevention.

Evaluation of high dietary phytase supplementation on performance, bone mineralization, and apparent ileal digestible energy of growing broilers.

The present study was conducted to evaluate four commercially available phytase sources supplemented at regular (R) and super-dose (S) levels on live performance, bone mineralization, and apparent ileal digestible energy. Broiler chickens were allocated in stainless steel battery brooders (six birds per cage and eight pen replicates per treatment). A basal diet formulated to contain 0.2% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) and 0.7% Ca was subdivided to create 11 dietary treatments: (1) basal diet was kept as the negative control (NC); (2) NC + limestone and monoclacium phosphate to create positive controls 1 and 2 formulated to yield 0.3% and 0.4% NPP; (3) NC + phytase A (250 and 1,500 FTU/kg); (4) NC + phytase B (500 and 1,500 FTU/kg); (5) NC + phytase C (500 and 1,000 FTU/kg); (6) NC + phytase D (1,000 and 2,000 FYT/kg). Performance was evaluated on d 7, 14, and 22. Tibia bone ash, tibia breaking strength, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density were evaluated on d 22. Apparent energy digestibility was evaluated on d 24. At d 7, phytases A and C supplemented at S level improved (P < 0.05) body weight and weight gain when compared to the NC. At d 14 and 22, all phytase sources improved (P < 0.05) body weight, weight gain, and bone mineralization when compared to the chicks under the NC diet. Overall, phytase supplementation at S level improved 17% apparent ileal digestibility at 24 d. Throughout the grow out period, phytase super-dose yield (P < 0.05) better performance, bone characteristics, and energy digestibility than the regular dietary level. In conclusion, all phytase sources were able to compensate the phosphorus deficiency and promote performance and bone mineralization. High levels of phytase showed a higher response when compared to the lower levels of supplementation.

Utilidad de las pruebas diagnósticas en el trauma cardiaco cerrado / Utility of the diagnostic tests in blunt cardiac trauma

Introducción. El trauma constituye la principal causa de muerte en los países desarrollados y en vía de desarrollo; la tercera causa de traumas es el cardiaco cerrado, el cual es una entidad que se subdiagnostica, y eso genera consecuencias letales por no brindar un manejo oportuno, y llevar así a altos costos y carga de morbimortalidad por esta causa. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron 92 pacientes con diagnóstico de trauma cerrado de tórax, mediante un estudio observacional, analítico y prospectivo, en el Hospital Universitario Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo, entre el 1° de enero de 2015 y el 31 diciembre de 2016. Resultados. La incidencia hallada de trauma cardiaco cerrado fue de 29 por cada 100.000 individuos con trauma cerrado de tórax por año. Se encontró un valor de referencia para la troponina I de 0,8250 µg/L, el cual es estadísticamente significativo para el diagnóstico de trauma cardiaco cerrado, aunque es mucho menor que los reportados por distintos autores, los que oscilan entre 1,05 µg/L y 1,5 µg/L. Esto se puede explicar por el método ultrasensible que se utilizó en el laboratorio. Se le practicó un electrocardiograma al 100% de la población sujeto de estudio, a raíz de lo cual se evidenciaron alteraciones electrocardiográficas en el 82,6% de los pacientes, y los hallazgos positivos en las radiografías se correlacionaron con un peor pronóstico. Conclusiones. Se encontró una sensibilidad del 78% y una especificidad del 95%, de la troponina I, y con un aumento estadísticamente significativo a las 6 horas del trauma; las arritmias letales se presentaron en un bajo porcentaje (2 %) y se encontró un aumento de la morbimortalidad de los pacientes con hallazgos radiográficos positivos. Sin embargo, se necesita un mayor número de pacientes para establecer la significancia estadística

Introduction: Trauma is the main cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Blunt cardiac trauma, an underdiagnosed pathology, is the third cause of death, causing lethal consequences because it does not provide timely management, leading to high costs and a burden of morbidity and mortality. Methods: Ninety-two patients with the diagnosis of blunt chest trauma were analysed by means of an observational, analytical and prospective study at University Hospital Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo, Neiva, Colombia, in the period between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2016. Results: The incidence of blunt cardiac trauma was 29 per 100,000 individuals diagnosed with blunt chest trauma per year. A reference value statistically significant for diagnosis was found for troponin I; electrocardiogram was performed in 100 % of the population study, revealing abnormalities in 82.6 % of the patients; positive findings in the radiographs were correlated with worse prognosis. Conclusions: Accurate specificity and sensitivity was found for troponin I with a significant increase 6 hours after trauma; lethal arrhythmias were present in a low percentage of the patients, and an increase in morbidity and mortality was found in patients with positive radiographic findings. However, more patients are needed in order to establish statistical significances

Apendicitis aguda perforada secundaria a cuerpo extraño: reporte de caso / Acute perforated appendicitis secondary to a foreign body: report of one case

Los casos de apendicitis aguda debida a cuerpos extraños es una condición muy rara, con una prevalencia de 0,0005 %, en la cual se observa un papel crucial de la obstrucción de la luz apendicular en el inicio de sintomatología. La mayoría de los cuerpos extraños que se ingieren son expulsados sin complicaciones y sin necesidad de intervención quirúrgica, observándose perforaciones en menos del 1 %. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 25 años de edad con un cuadro clínico de apendicitis aguda que necesitaba de intervención quirúrgica, en la que se halló un cuerpo extraño (gancho 'nodriza'), con perforación proximal apendicular y peritonitis localizada

Cases of acute appendicitis due to foreign bodies are a very rare condition, with a prevalence of 0.0005%, in which an obstruction of the appendiceal lumen is seen as a crucial role in the onset of the symptomatology. The majority of ingested foreign bodies are expelled without complications with no need of surgical intervention; perforations are observed in <1% of cases. We present the case of a 25-year-old man with a clinical acute appendicitis requiring surgical intervention, where a foreign body (safety pin) with proximal appendiceal perforation and localized peritonitis was found

Megacolon tóxico de origen idiopático: reporte de caso / Megacolon toxic of idiophatic origin: case report

Resumen El megacolon tóxico (MT) es una patología con una tasa de mortalidad superior al 80% desencadenada por un proceso inflamatorio progresivo que compromete la pared del colon con dilatación secundaria de la luz intestinal debido a procesos inflamatorios o infecciosos. Su presentación clínica es infrecuente y los pilares básicos en su manejo son un diagnóstico oportuno, un manejo médico adecuado (antibiótico, reanimación hídrica y corrección metabólica) y, de ser necesario, un manejo quirúrgico eficaz que evite al máximo las complicaciones que empeoran el pronóstico de los pacientes. En este artículo se presenta un caso de una paciente con choque séptico secundario a MT, con desenlace fatal y con sospecha de un cuadro de colangitis grado III descartado por ecografía, lo cual generó distorsiones en su enfoque y manejo inicial. Por deterioro clínico y distensión abdominal, la paciente se llevó a laparoscopia diagnóstica en la que se evidenció un compromiso isquémico severo de todo el colon sin compromiso de intestino delgado, razón por la que se le realizó una colectomía total. El reporte de patología y la historia clínica descartan colitis ulcerativa o enfermedad de Crohn, lo que confirmó el MT. La paciente no presentaba factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de colitis pseudomembranosa. Se concluyó que fue la presentación de un caso de MT idiopático.

Abstract Toxic megacolon is a pathology whose mortality rate is over 80%. A progressive inflammatory process compromises the colon wall, and secondary dilation of the intestinal lumen occurs due to inflammatory or infectious processes. Its clinical presentation is bizarre. but the basic pillars for management are opportune diagnosis and adequate medical management with antibiotics, water resuscitation, and metabolic correction. If necessary, effective surgical management can prevent the development of complications that worsen the disease and the prognosis of a patient. In this article we present the case of a patient who died after developing septic shock secondary to toxic megacolon. Cholangitis grade III was suspected, but discarded after ultrasonography, and this resulted in generated distortions in approach and initial management. Due to clinical deterioration and abdominal distension, the patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed severe ischemic compromise of the entire colon but without involvement of the small intestine. For this reason, a total colectomy was performed. The pathology report and clinical history ruled out ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease which confirmed the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. The patient had no risk factors for the development of pseudomembranous colitis. We conclude that this was a case of idiopathic toxic megacolon.

Analysis of the grapevine moth Lobesia botrana antennal transcriptome and expression of odorant-binding and chemosensory proteins.

The grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana, is considered a harmful pest for vineyards in Chile as well as in North America and Europe. Currently, monitoring and control methods of L. botrana are based on its main sex pheromone component, being effective for low population densities. In order to improve control methods, antennal olfactory proteins in moths, such as odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) have been studied as promising targets for the discovery of new potent semiochemicals, which have not been reported for L. botrana. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the repertoire of proteins related to chemoreception in L. botrana by antennal transcriptome and analyze the relative expression of OBPs and CSPs in male and female antennae. Through next-generation sequencing of the antennal transcriptome by Ilumina HiSeq2500 we identified a total of 118 chemoreceptors, from which 61, 42 and 15 transcripts are related to ORs, ionotropic receptors (IRs) and gustatory receptors (GRs), respectively. Furthermore, RNA-Seq data revealed 35 transcripts for OBPs and 18 for chemosensory proteins (CSPs). Analysis by qRT-PCR showed 20 OBPs significantly expressed in female antennae, while 5 were more expressed in males. Similarly, most of the CSPs were significantly expressed in female than male antennae. All the olfactory-related sequences were compared with homologs and their phylogenetic relationships elucidated. Finally, our findings in relation to the improvement of L. botrana management are discussed.