Cumulus cells during in vitro fertilization and oocyte vitrification in sheep: Remove, maintain or add?

The objective was to evaluate the developmental competence of immature and matured ovine oocytes after removing, maintaining or adding cumulus cells (CC) associated to vitrification by Cryotop method. Three experiments were performed involving 3,144 oocytes. In Experiment 1, CC were removed from immature, matured or fertilized oocytes subjected to in vitro embryo production. In Experiment 2, oocytes were vitrified either in MI or MII stage with or without CC, while a control group with CC remained unvitrified. In Experiment 3, oocytes partially denuded from CC were vitrified either in MI or MII stage, and a co-culture of fresh CC was added or not soon after warming to complete in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), or IVF, respectively, while a control group remained unvitrified. In Experiment 1, the cleavage rate, development rate on Day 6 and blastocyst rate on Day 8 were improved when CC were maintained until the end of IVF (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, vitrification of oocytes with enclosed CC showed a tendency to increase cleavage (P = 0.06) and improved blastocyst rate (P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, adding CC as co-culture after vitrification-warming tended to improve cleavage rate (P = 0.06) and increased hatching rate (P < 0.05). Regarding oocyte stage, vitrification of in vitro matured oocytes resulted in greater developmental competence than immature stages (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CC seems to have a relevant role for in vitro embryo development in either fresh or vitrified oocytes.

Assessment of the Clinical Performance of Platelet Concentrates Treated by Pathogen Reduction Technology in Santiago de Compostela.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the feasibility, performance, and safety of Mirasol®-treated platelet concentrates (M-PC) stored for up to 7 days. METHODS: This prospective observational study was approved by the ethical committee of the University Clinic of Santiago de Compostela. Informed consent was asked from patients receiving M-PC. M-PCs were treated with the Mirasol system according to the manufacturer's instructions. Thrombocytopenic patients were transfused according to the Spanish transfusion guidelines. Post-transfusion platelet counts were measured at 1 h and/or 24 h after transfusion. Post-transfusion surveillance of patients was maintained during the study. RESULTS: Data from 54 evaluable patients and 135 transfusions were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 58 years. The mean age of M-PC at transfusion was 3.6 days. The mean platelet dose was 3.7 × 1011. The transfusion responses measured as mean corrected count increment 1 h after transfusion (CCI1h) and CCI24h were 9,659 and 4,751, respectively. 65% of transfusions resulted in CCI1h values ≥ 7,500. 51% of transfusions resulted in CCI24h values ≥ 4,500. CONCLUSION: The use of M-PC in the supportive treatment proved to be safe and effective for this cohort of thrombocytopenic patients.

Time of ovulation and pregnancy outcomes obtained with the prostaglandin-based protocol Synchrovine for FTAI in sheep.

The objective of the present study was to determine the ovarian response induced with the prostaglandin-based protocol Synchrovine (two doses of PGF2α given 7 d apart), as well as the fertility after FTAI. In Experiment 1, 15 females received the Synchrovine protocol using two different PGF2α analogues (Delprostenate vs. D-Cloprostenol). No differences in estrus response, time of ovulation and follicular dynamics were found between both groups (P < 0.05). The ovulation after Synchrovine was synchronized in a similar mean interval (68.8 ± 7.1 h) than when the females received a single dose of PGF2α (70.2 ± 20.7 h; P=NS), but the dispersion between the first and the last ovulation was reduced with this protocol (range 60-84 h vs. 24-96 h, respectively; P < 0.05). In experiment 2, 318 ewes were treated with the Synchrovine protocol and cervical FTAI was performed using different sperm cell concentrations. Pregnancy rate was higher using 200 × 106 and 100 × 106 sperm cells (38.2%, 39/102; and 34.9%, 38/109, respectively) than using 50 × 106 (23.4%, 25/107, P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, 444 ewes received the Synchrovine protocol and were assigned to receive 300 IU of eCG or not at the moment of the second dose of PGF2α, and cervical FTAI was performed 42 h or 48 h after the second dose of PGF2α. No effect was found related to the eCG administration nor the time of insemination. In Experiment 4, 342 received cervical or intrauterine insemination after treatment with the Synchrovine protocol, resulting in greater pregnancy rate for intrauterine insemination than cervical insemination (52.5%, 90/171 vs. 31%, 53/171, P < 0.05). These experiments demonstrate that the Synchrovine protocol effectively induces luteolysis, estrus and ovulation in most of the treated females, and ovulation is synchronized into a narrow window of 24 h. Pregnancy rate obtained with cervical FTAI is around 30-45%, with similar results using 100 × 106 or 200 × 106 sperm cells, the eCG administration seems not to be necessary, the type of PGF2α analogue does not appear relevant, and fertility is improved with intrauterine semen deposition.

RAPID COMMUNICATION: Nerve growth factor influences cleavage rate and embryo development in sheep.

Recent information about Nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein traditionally associated to the nervous system that regulates survival and maturation of developing neurons, suggests that it may exert action also on different levels in the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NGF added during in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization or in vitro embryo development in sheep. Nerve growth factor was supplemented to the culture medium at 0, 100, or 1,000 ng/mL, during either in vitro maturation (Exp. 1), in vitro fertilization (Exp. 2), or in vitro culture (Exp. 3). In addition, NGF mRNA expression was determined in cumulus cells and oocytes. Nerve growth factor induced early cleavage when added during oocyte maturation or fertilization, improved embryo development when added during fertilization, and had no significant effect when added during embryo culture. In general, the effect was more evident with 100 rather than 1,000 ng/mL (P < 0.05). Expression of endogenous NGF was not detected in oocytes, and increased in cumulus cells when 1,000 ng/mL of NGF was added during fertilization, but not during maturation and embryo culture. In conclusion, the addition of NGF during oocyte maturation and fertilization affects in vitro cleavage and embryo development in sheep. We suggest a possible effect of this growth factor on oocyte maturation and mainly on the fertilization process.

[REASONS FOR NON-VACCINATION AGAINST INFLUENZA IN HEALTH WORKERS]. / Motivos de no vacunación frente a la gripe en trabajadores sanitarios.

INTRODUCTION: Health workers are a risk group for acquisition and transmission of influenza. Therefore each year the vaccine is indicated for them. However vaccination coverage against seaso nable influenza virus in our country is often low. OBJECTVES: To determine why the professionals of health centers have low rates of vaccination against influenza. knowing the reasons for to have intention to be vaccinated and analyze knowledge about influenza and vaccination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study carried out in Hospital Center of Vigo between 2014-2015. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire aimed at health professionals. Variables recorded were age, sex, profession, workplace, work experience, previous influenza vaccines, intention to be vaccinated, reasons for non-vaccination and knowledge about the disease and influenza vaccine. Statistical analysis was performed with the PSPP program and the associations between variables were evaluated using Chi-square test. RESULTS: 375 questionnaires were obtained. Only 18 % of workers were vaccinated last season. The reasons for not having intention to be vaccinated were: believe that it is not necessary (28 %), it is not effective (27 %) and risk of side effects (26 %). The main reason to have intention to be vaccinated was self-protection in 71 %. Working in a health center means risk of getting the flu for 66 % of survey respondents, though 68 % of them think unimportant the vaccination in health professionals. Statistical significance between sexand vaccination lastseason was found (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to increase knowledge about influenza and vaccination by developing specific training to improve vaccination coverage among health care workers.

Motivos de no vacunación frente a la gripe en trabajadores sanitarios / Reasons for non-vaccination against influenza in health workers

Introducción. Los trabajadores sanitarios constituyen un grupo de riesgo para la adquisicion y transmision de la gripe. Por ello cada ano se recomienda la vacunacion. Sin embargo, la cobertura antigripal en nuestro pais suele ser baja. Objetivos. Determinar los motivos por los que los profesionales de centros sanitarios presentan bajas tasas de vacunación antigripal; conocer razones para la inmunizacion y observar actitudes de los trabajadores sobre la gripe y su vacunacion. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo realizado en el Complejo Hospitalario de Vigo entre 2014 y 2015. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante un cuestionario autocumplimentado dirigido a profesionales sanitarios. Las variables recogidas fueron: edad, sexo, categoria, lugar de trabajo, experiencia, vacunación previa, motivos de vacunacion, motivos de no vacunacion, conocimientos de la gripe y su inmunizacion. El análisis estadistico se realizo con el programa PSPP, y se obtuvo la relación entre variables mediante la prueba chi cuadrado. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 375 cuestionarios. Solo el 18 % de los trabajadores se vacunaron la temporada pasada. Los motivos para no vacunarse fueron: no necesaria (28 %); no eficaz (27 %), y riesgo de efectos secundarios (26 %). El principal motivo para vacunarse fue la autoproteccion (71 %). Trabajar en un centro sanitario representa un riesgo de contraer gripe para el 66 % de los encuestados, aunque un 68 % considera no esencial la vacunacion del personal sanitario. Se encontro significacion entre sexo y vacunacion en la temporada pasada (p = 0.023). Conclusiones. Es necesario incrementar los conocimientos sobre la gripe y su vacunacion mediante el desarrollo de formacion especifica para mejorar las coberturas vacunales en trabajadores sanitarios (AU)

Introduction. Health workers are a risk group for acquisition and transmission of influenza. Therefore each year the vaccine is indicated for them. However vaccination coverage against seasonable influenza virus in our country is often low. Objectives. To determine why the professionals of health centers have low rates of vaccination against influenza. Knowing the reasons for to have intention to be vaccinated and analyze knowledge about influenza and vaccination. Material and methods. A descriptive study carried out in Hospital Center of Vigo between 2014-2015. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire aimed at health professionals. Variables recorded were age, sex, profession, workplace, work experience, previous influenza vaccines, intention to be vaccinated, reasons for non-vaccination and knowledge about the disease and influenza vaccine. Statistical analysis was performed with the PSPP program and the associations between variables were evaluated using Chi-square test. Results. 375 questionnaires were obtained. Only 18 % of workers were vaccinated last season. The reasons for not having intention to be vaccinated were: believe that it is not necessary (28 %), it is not effective (27 %) and risk of side effects (26 %). The main reason to have intention to be vaccinated was self-protection in 71 %. Working in a health center means risk of getting the flu for 66 % of survey respondents, though 68 % of them think unimportant the vaccination in health professionals. Statistical significance between sex and vaccination last season was found (p = 0.023). Conclusions. It is necessary to increase knowledge about influenza and vaccination by developing specific training to improve vaccination coverage among health care workers (AU)

Cryotolerance of Day 2 or Day 6 in vitro produced ovine embryos after vitrification by Cryotop or Spatula methods.

This study was conducted to evaluate the cryotolerance of in vitro produced ovine embryos submitted to vitrification at different developmental stages using two methods of minimum volume and rapid cooling rate. Embryos were vitrified at early stage (2 to 8-cells) on Day 2 or at advanced stage (morulae and blastocysts) on Day 6 after in vitro fertilization. Vitrification procedure consisted of the Cryotop (Day 2, n=165; Day 6, n=174) or the Spatula method (Day 2, n=165; Day 6, n=175). Non vitrified embryos were maintained in in vitro culture as a control group (n=408). Embryo survival was determined at 3h and 24h after warming, development and hatching rates were evaluated on Day 6 and Day 8 after fertilization, and total cell number was determined on expanded blastocysts. Embryo survival at 24h after warming increased as the developmental stage progressed (P<0.05) and was not affected by the vitrification method. The ability for hatching of survived embryos was not affected by the stage of the embryos at vitrification or by the vitrification method. Thus, the proportion of hatching from vitrified embryos was determined by the survival rate and was lower for Day 2 than Day 6 vitrified embryos. The percentage of blastocysts on Day 8 was lower for the embryos vitrified on Day 2 than Day 6 (P<0.05), and was lower for both days of vitrification than for non-vitrified embryos (P<0.05). No interaction of embryo stage by vitrification method was found (P=NS) and no significant difference was found in the blastocyst cell number among vitrified and non-vitrified embryos. In conclusion, both methods using minimum volume and ultra-rapid cooling rate allow acceptable survival and development rates in Day 2 and Day 6 in vitro produced embryos in sheep. Even though early stage embryos showed lower cryotolerance, those embryos that survive the vitrification-warming process show high development and hatching rates, similar to vitrification of morulae or blastocysts.

Embryo development, fetal growth and postnatal phenotype of eGFP lambs generated by lentiviral transgenesis.

Lentiviral technology has been recently proposed to generate transgenic farm animals more efficiently and easier than traditional techniques. The objective was to evaluate several parameters of lambs obtained by lentiviral transgenesis in comparison with non-transgenic counterparts. In vitro produced embryos were microinjected (TG group) at two-cell stage with a lentiviral construct containing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene, while embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF group) or intrauterine insemination (IUI group) were not microinjected. Microinjection technique efficiently generated eight-cell transgenic embryos (97.4%; 114/117). Development rate on day 5 after fertilization was similar for TG (39.3%, 46/117) and IVF embryos (39.6%, 44/111). Pregnancy rate was detected in 50.0% (6/12) of recipient ewes with TG embryos, in 46.7% (7/15) with IVF embryos, and in 65.0% (13/20) of IUI ewes (P = NS). Nine lambs were born in TG group, six lambs in IVF group, and 16 lambs in IUI group. All TG lambs (9/9) were GFP positive to real-time PCR and eight (88.9%) showed a strong and evident GFP expression in mucosae, eyes and keratin tissues. Fetal growth monitored every 15 day by ultrasonography did not show significant differences. Transgenic lambs neither differ in morphometric variables in comparison with non transgenic IVF lambs within 3 months after birth. Transmission of the transgene to the progeny was observed in green fluorescent embryos produced by IVF using semen from the TG founder lambs. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the high efficiency of lentiviral technology to produce transgenic sheep, with no clinic differences in comparison with non transgenic lambs.

Depuration kinetics of hepatitis A virus in clams.

The efficacy and dynamic of depuration for the removal of hepatitis A virus (HAV) contamination were evaluated under experimental conditions using Manila clams previously subjected to bioaccumulation with this virus. Five independent trials were assayed in a closed experimental system with a total volume of approximately 1750 l, using clam batches of 60 Kg. The reverse transcriptase-real time PCR (RT-qPCR) technique was utilized for viral quantification. Infectivity assays were conducted at the end of depuration. Although the final viral loads in shellfish after 7 days remained relatively high and still infectious, an average reduction in HAV levels of 1.44 log units (approx. 93.1%) was observed. This reduction showed a two-phase removal kinetic, with an initial rapid reduction of viruses during the first 72 h of depuration, with a 0.6 log units (69%) of average decrease in HAV RNA copies/g digestive tissue, and a subsequent stabilization with a slower depuration rate in the remaining days.

Salud de la mujer: percepciones y representaciones sociales del cáncer cervicouterino en San Juan / Women's health: perceptions and social representations on cervical cancer in San juan

INTRODUCCIÓN La comunidad de Cienaguita es una población rural de 400 habitantes aproximadamente, que se encuentra a 95 kilómetros de la ciudad de San Juan. Es importante conocer sus pautas sociales, culturales y de género, que están relacionadas con la subjetividad y las estructuras mentales de las mujeres en edad de riesgo de contraer cáncer cervicouterino. OBJETIVOS Conocer las percepciones y las representaciones sociales de mujeres de 35-49 años acerca del cáncer cervicouterino. MÉTODOS Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo, de tipo etnográfico y de campo, en el que se ejecutaron tres encuentros con las mujeres (unidad de análisis). En total se incluyó a 26 mujeres bajo la técnica de talleres participativos, y se obtuvieron los datos necesarios para la confirmación de las hipótesis de estudio. RESULTADOS Lo que piensan y sienten las mujeres sobre el cáncer cervicouterino tiene un gran impacto en las estrategias de salud. Esto se suma a los condicionantes sociales, culturales y de género, propios de la comunidad que habitan. Además, las mujeres en edad de riesgo se convierten en las principales trasmisoras de la cultura sanitaria y de los conocimientos sociales aprendidos, que trascienden a las adolescentes-jóvenes de su grupo familiar y su comunidad, lo que obliga a redoblar los esfuerzos del respectivo equipo de salud local para alcanzar mejores niveles de atención. DISCUSIÓN Se debe mejorar la comunicación, el vínculo y el sentido de pertenencia de los equipos en relación con su comunidad, principalmente porque las estructuras mentales atraviesan tanto a profesionales como a pacientes. Si no existe un abordaje integral desde la salud, las dificultades pueden convertirse en obstáculos de atención. Este indicador debe ser abordado y contemplado desde los equipos de salud locales, utilizando estrategias de seguimiento y conocimiento social de la comunidad.

Ovarian responses and pregnancy rate with previously used intravaginal progesterone releasing devices for fixed-time artificial insemination in sheep.

The objective was to determine serum progesterone concentrations, ovarian responses, and pregnancy rate in sheep inseminated following a short-term protocol (6 days of treatment) with a previously used controlled internal drug release-G (CIDR-G) device. In experiment 1, 30 ewes were put on a short-term protocol using a CIDR-G of first use (new devices, N = 10), second use (previously used for 6 days, N = 10), or third use (previously used twice for 6 days, N = 10). All ewes were given prostaglandin F(2α) (10 mg dinoprost) and eCG (300 IU) im at device withdrawal. Mean serum progesterone concentrations were greater for ewes treated with new versus reused devices (P < 0.05), but there were no significant effects on ovarian follicular development, namely: proportion of ewes that reached ovulation/treated ewes (8/10, 9/10, and 10/10); day of emergence of the ovulatory follicle (2.9 ± 1.8, 1.8 ± 2.4, and 2.5 ± 1.1 days after CIDR-G insertion); and lifespan of the ovulatory follicle (5.4 ± 1.8, 6.5 ± 2.2, and 5.6 ± 1.0 days) for devices of first, second, and third use, respectively. The proportion of ewes that ovulated from a new follicle emerging after CIDR-G insertion was 100% (10/10) with new devices, and 77.8% (7/9) and 80% (8/10) with devices used two and three times, respectively (P = not significant). In experiment 2, ewes (N = 319) received the short-term protocol as in experiment 1, using CIDR-G of first or third use (N = 158 and N = 161, respectively) for 6 days, with prostaglandin F(2α) and eCG given im at device withdrawal. Intrauterine (laparoscopy) fixed-time AI with fresh semen (100 × 10(6) sperm) was done 52 to 57 hours after device withdrawal. Pregnancy rates were 80.4% (127/158) and 71.4% (115/161) for devices of first and third use, respectively (P = 0.06). We concluded that the CIDR-G with short-term protocol was effective for estrous synchronization and ovulation, with lower serum progesterone concentrations for reused devices. Three times used CIDR-G yielded a pregnancy rate >70%, which tended to be lower than that obtained with new devices, adding evidence of the detrimental effect of low serum progesterone concentrations on fertility in sheep.

Re-use of intravaginal progesterone devices associated with the Short-term Protocol for timed artificial insemination in goats.

Because intravaginal devices impregnated with 0.3 g of progesterone (i.e., CIDR-G) contain remaining hormone after their use in a Short-term Protocol (5 to 7 d of treatment), the reuse of these devices is proposed in goats. Two experiments were designed to study the effects of the reutilization of CIDR-G, establishing serum progesterone concentrations, follicular development, ovulatory response, and fertility. Experiment 1: Thirty dairy goats received a Short-term Protocol for 5 d using CIDR-G of first use (new devices, n = 10), second use (previously used for 5 d, n = 10), or third use (previously used twice for 5 d each time, n = 10). Goats were given (im) prostaglandin F(2α) (10 mg dinoprost) and eCG (300 IU) at device insertion and withdrawal, respectively. Serum progesterone concentrations induced by CIDR-G of first use were higher than CIDR-G of second or third use (P < 0.05); concentrations were consistently > 1 ng/mL in all females treated with reused devices. Estrus and ovulation were synchronized in 100% of goats (no differences among treatments). All females treated with new devices, but only 80% of females treated with re-used devices ovulated a new follicle that emerged after CIDR-G insertion (P = NS). Ovulation occurred between 60 and 70 h after device removal (no differences among groups). Experiment 2: In goats subjected to a Short-term Protocol followed by AI at 54 h after CIDR-G, pregnancy rates with CIDR-G of first, second, and third use were 75.3% (64/85), 67.4% (60/89), and 62.1% (54/87), respectively (devices of first versus third use, P < 0.05). In summary, intravaginal devices originally containing 0.3 g of progesterone appeared effective to synchronize estrus and ovulation after first, second and third use in the Short-term Protocol. Although the pregnancy rate with reused devices was acceptable (i.e., > 60%), it was significantly lower than that achieved with new devices and further studies to ensure adequate follicular turnover are required.

Genotyping of hepatitis A virus detected in bivalve shellfish in Galicia (NW Spain).

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) represents a significant public health problem due to its high persistence in the environment and its transmission through contaminated water and food. Bivalve shellfish are filter feeders that can bioaccumulate human pathogens found in contaminated waters, their consumption being a potential cause of hepatitis A outbreaks. In this work, cultured and wild bivalve shellfish from the Ría de Vigo (Galicia, NW Spain) were analysed for the presence and genotyping of HAV. A total of 160 shellfish samples were collected between March 2004 and December 2006, including 68 samples from cultured mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), 30 from wild clams (Rupitapes decussatus), 31 from wild cockles (Cerastoderma edule) and 31 from wild mussel. HAV detection, carried out by quantitative RT-PCR, was positive for 29 (42.6%) cultured and 40 (43.5%) wild samples, with levels ranging from 3.1 x 10(2) and 1.4 x 10(10) RNA copies/g of shellfish digestive tissue. The phylogenetic analysis of VP1-P2A and VP3-VP1 regions, separately or as concatenated sequences, revealed that all HAV strains analysed belong to subgenotype IB. These results indicate a high prevalence of this subgenotype in the area studied.

New approaches to superovulation and embryo transfer in small ruminants.

The present paper reviews the current state of knowledge in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) technology in small ruminants, focusing on recently reported information. Major new findings are related to follicular wave patterns in small ruminants, the elucidation of follicular dominance and the integration of this information into ovarian superstimulatory treatment protocols. Follicular dynamics determine steroid and gonadotrophin secretion, follicular responses to FSH, ovulatory responses and embryo yield. Protocols that control follicular dominance have been designed to allow the initiation of superstimulation at the beginning of a follicular wave. New approaches consist of (1) synchronisation of ovulation for superstimulation during Wave 1 (i.e. Day 0 protocol), (2) pretreatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist from 10 days prior to FSH treatment to avoid follicular dominance and (3) progesterone-oestradiol cotreatment to synchronise follicle wave emergence. These protocols provide a homogeneous pool of small follicles that are gonadotrophin responsive, enhancing the superovulatory response and embryo yield with a reduction in the incidence of unovulated follicles and early regression of corpora lutea. In addition, the rate of fertilisation failure has been reduced by using an inducer of ovulation (i.e. GnRH) associated with intrauterine insemination. In summary, the application of recently acquired knowledge has resulted in relevant improvements in MOET programmes in small ruminants.

Trastornos adaptativos al medio hospitalario en pacientes con VIH / Adaptive disorders in a Hospital setting when dealing with HIV patients

Desde su inicio la infección por VIH ha estado relacionada con trastornos psicopatológicos, pero en la actualidad la prevalencia de patología psiquiátrica se encuentra significativamente elevada. Ello justifica que los problemas derivados de sus cuidados durante el proceso de hospitalización multipliquen su complejidad cuando al internamiento se asocian condicionantes emocionales y conductuales derivados de trastornos psicopatológicos, asociados al binomio infección-VIH, y que requieren estrategias de intervención específicas, individuales y consensuadas por equipos multidisciplinares expertos. En consecuencia se esgrimen las situaciones asociadas al proceso de la infección con mayor riesgo para desencadenar problemas conductuales durante la hospitalización, y se desarrollan estrategias y técnicas de intervención para detectar y abordar de forma precoz posibles conductas y comportamientos que pudieran llegar a interferir en la progresión de los cuidados y en el régimen terapéutico durante el proceso de internamiento hospitalario, ya sea de forma puntual o progresiva según sea la necesidad particular. A partir de la propia experiencia profesional en el abordaje hospitalario de este tipo de pacientes y de la participación en grupos expertos para la mejora de sus cuidados, apuntamos la necesidad de desarrollar un plan de cuidados específico que responda a sus necesidades psico-emocionales a través de una justificación teórica del planteamiento. La intervención psicológica y el apoyo emocional son las únicas vías para facilitar la percepción de control a los afectados, amortiguar el impacto emocional, maximizar el éxito del tratamiento y favorecer actitudes y conductas que propicien el afrontamiento del estado de salud y la autogestión de los cuidados. Para ello se precisa la implicación de equipos multidisciplinares que abarquen el problema desde una perspectiva bio-psico-social que aborde los problemas fisiológicos, emocionales y conductuales mediante intervenciones individuales que deben derivarse de planes de cuidados específicos(AU)

Since its start, HIV infection has been related to psychopathological disorders, but at present times, the prevalence of psychiatric pathologies lies at a significantly high level, a factor which justifies that problems derived from care of HIV infected patients during their hospitalization multiply their complexity when being kept in a hospital becomes associated with emotional and behavioral conditioners derived from psychopathological disorders associated with the HIV-infection binomially and these require specific individualized intervention strategies agreed upon by multidisciplinary teams of experts. The authors fend off situations associated with this infection’s process which have the greatest risk in order to link up behavioral problems during hospitalization and to develop intervention strategies and techniques to, in a prompt manner, detect and deal with possible behaviors which could interfere in the progress of treatment and in the therapeutic program during enforced hospitalization, be those interventions either specific one time actions or progressive actions depending on the pertinent circumstances and needs. Based on actual professional experiences in hospital situations created by these kinds of patients and by the participation of groups of experts to improve treatment given, the authors point out the necessity to develop a specific treatment plan which responds to these patients’ psycho-emotional needs by means of a theoretical justification of the proposed treatment. Psychological interventions and emotional help are the only ways to facilitate a perception of control to those affected, to reduce the emotional impact, to maximize treatment success and to promote attitudes and behaviors which enable a patient to confront his/her state of health and self-regulation of their treatment. To these ends, it is essential that a multidisciplinary team becomes involved to deal with this problem from a bio-psycho-social perspective and to include physiological, emotional and behavioral by means of individual interventions which must be derived from specific treatment plans(AU)

Assessment of human enteric viruses in cultured and wild bivalve molluscs.

Standard and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) procedures were used to monitor cultured and wild bivalve molluscs from the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain) for the main human enteric RNA viruses, specifically, norovirus (NoV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), astrovirus (AsV), rotavirus (RT), enterovirus (EV), and Aichi virus (AiV). The results showed the presence of at least one enteric virus in 63.4% of the 41 samples analyzed. NoV GII was the most prevalent virus, detected in 53.7% of the samples, while NoV GI, AsV, EV, and RV were found at lower percentages (7.3, 12.2, 12.2, and 4.9%, respectively). In general, samples obtained in the wild were more frequently contaminated than those from cultured (70.6 vs. 58.3%) molluscs and were more readily contaminated with more than one virus. However, NoV GI was detected in similar amounts in cultured and wild samples (6.4 x 10(2) to 3.3 x 10(3) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue) while the concentrations of NoV GII were higher in cultured (from 5.6 x 10(1) to 1.5 x 10(4) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue) than in wild (from 1.3 x 10(2) to 3.4 x 10(4) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue) samples.

Assessment of human enteric viruses in cultured and wild bivalve molluscs

Standard and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) procedures were used to monitor cultured and wild bivalve molluscs from the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain) for the main human enteric RNA viruses, specifically, norovirus (NoV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), astrovirus (AsV), rotavirus (RT), enterovirus (EV), and Aichi virus (AiV). The results showed the presence of at least one enteric virus in 63.4% of the 41 samples analyzed. NoV GII was the most prevalent virus, detected in 53.7% of the samples, while NoV GI, AsV, EV, and RV were found at lower percentages (7.3, 12.2, 12.2, and 4.9%, respectively). In general, samples obtained in the wild were more frequently contaminated than those from cultured (70.6 vs. 58.3%) molluscs and were more readily contaminated with more than one virus. However, NoV GI was detected in similar amounts in cultured and wild samples (6.4 x 10(2) to 3.3 x 10(3) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue) while the concentrations of NoV GII were higher in cultured (from 5.6 x 10(1) to 1.5 x 10(4) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue) than in wild (from 1.3 x 10(2) to 3.4 x 10(4) RNA copies per gram of digestive tissue) samples (AU)

No disponible

Progesterone treatment, FSH plus eCG, GnRH administration, and Day 0 Protocol for MOET programs in sheep.

The effect of various superstimulatory treatments on the number of corpora lutea, fertilization rate, and embryo yield was studied in sheep. Overall, data from 708 Merino donors and 4262 embryos were analyzed in four experiments. In Experiment 1, varying intervals of progesterone treatment (5 to 14 d) before follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administration did not significantly affect the proportion of responding donors, the mean number of corpora lutea, or the mean number of recovered and transferable embryos per donor. In Experiment 2, a single dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG, 200 or 300 IU) combined with the FSH treatment (i.e., given at CIDR removal) reduced the number and the quality of embryos compared with that for not giving eCG (P<0.05). In Experiment 3, one dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) given 24h after CIDR removal improved the number of transferable embryos compared with that for not giving GnRH (P<0.05). In Experiment 4, the new superstimulatory Day 0 Protocol, which includes starting FSH treatment at the emergence of Wave 1 (i.e., soon after ovulation, in the absence of a large follicle), improved ovarian response, with a tendency to produce more embryos compared with that for the Traditional Protocol. In summary, this study, analyzing data from various pharmacologic treatments, allows an improvement from four to eight transferable embryos per treated donor in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer programs in sheep.

[Adaptive disorders in a hospital setting when dealing with HIV patients]. / Trastornos adaptativos al medio hospitalario en pacientes con VIH.

Since its start, HIV infection has been related to psychopathological disorders, but at present times, the prevalence of psychiatric pathologies lies at a significantly high level, a factor which justifies that problems derived from care of HIV infected patients during their hospitalization multiply their complexity when being kept in a hospital becomes associated with emotional and behavioral conditioners derived from psychopathological disorders associated with the HIV-infection binomially and these require specific individualized intervention strategies agreed upon by multidisciplinary teams of experts. The authors fend off situations associated with this infection's process which have the greatest risk in order to link up behavioral problems during hospitalization and to develop intervention strategies and techniques to, in a prompt manner detect and deal with possible behaviors which could interfere in the progress of treatment and in the therapeutic program during enforced hospitalization, be those interventions either specific one time actions or progressive actions depending on the pertinent circumstances and needs. Based on actual professional experiences in hospital situations created by these kinds of patients and by the participation of groups of experts to improve treatment given, the authors point out the necessity to develop a specific treatment plan which responds to these patients' psycho-emotional needs by means of a theoretical justification of the proposed treatment. Psychological interventions and emotional help are the only ways to facilitate a perception of control to those affected, to reduce the emotional impact, to maximize treatment success and to promote attitudes and behaviors which enable a patient to confront his/her state of health and self-regulation of their treatment. To these ends, it is essential that a multidisciplinary team becomes involved to deal with this problem from a bio-psycho-social perspective and to include physiological, emotional and behavioral by means of individual interventions which must be derived from specific treatment plans.