Comparing and Contrasting Knowledge on Mules and Hinnies as a Tool to Comprehend Their Behavior and Improve Their Welfare.

Mules and hinnies are the hybrids between donkeys (Equus asinus) and horses (Equus caballus). For centuries, mankind has used them for agrarian purposes, the military, or recreation. Contrasting literature with behavioral observations, we seek a better behavioral understanding andthus comprehensive solutions for their welfare enhancement. Over the past 6 years, we have assessed physical and behavioral welfare in over 900 mules by surveying owners from Egypt, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. These mules participated in shows, brick kiln work, cart-pulling, packing, tourism, and cattle herding. Observations are discussed alongside facts from the literature. Unfortunately, their behavior has been misunderstood by many, and harsh treatment and equipment has been used to control them. Few studies have attempted to define or use learning theory to understand how and why mules and hinnies behave as they do. Hence, understanding their health considerations, natural behavior, and training theory is crucial for those who work with them.Solutions to welfare improvement partially lie in an individual's ability to handle mules and hinnies from birth, and to proceed slowly through training. Conclusively, this review sets forth a clearer understanding of these hybrids' behaviors and promotes positive handling, allowing their access to more routine healthcare and ultimately, a higher welfare standard

Indicaciones poco frecuentes de nutrición parenteral: Una revisión de la literatura

The evolution of parenteral nutrition in recent decades has made it possible to consider it as a safe and effective therapeutic strategy, in the face of clinical entities that condition dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and that have been associated with prolonged periods of fasting, low intake or intolerance to enteral nutrition with secondary malnutrition; This leads to a greater risk of impaired systemic and intestinal immune function, as well as a decrease in intestinal absorption and motility due to the alteration of the intestinal barrier. The objective of this review is to provide a practical approach to recognize parenteral nutrition as a valuable strategy in the management of patients with or at risk of malnutrition associated with a non-functional or recovering gastrointestinal tract that requires intestinal rest; We describe infrequent clinical entities that condition the use of total parenteral nutrition.La evolución en la nutrición parenteral en las últimas décadas, ha permitido considerarla como una estrategia terapéutica segura y eficaz ante entidades clínicas que condicionan disfunción del tracto gastrointestinal y que se han asociado a periodos prolongados de ayuno, escasa ingesta o intolerancia a nutrición enteral ocasionando desnutrición  secundaria lo que conlleva  mayor riesgo de deterioro de la función inmunológica sistémica e intestinal, así como una disminución de la absorción y motilidad intestinal  y la alteración de la barrera intestinal. El objetivo de esta revisión es brindar un enfoque práctico que permita reconocer la nutrición parenteral como una estrategia valiosa en el manejo de pacientes con o en riesgo de desnutrición asociado a un tracto gastrointestinal no funcional o en recuperación, que requiera reposo intestinal; Describimos entidades clínicas poco frecuentes que condicionan el uso de nutrición parenteral total

Gastronomía de la Provincia de Imbabura como Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial del Ecuador Parroquia la Carolina

Valorar la Gastronomía de la parroquia rural de Ibarra “la Carolina”El presente trabajo de investigación tiene por objeto desarrollar un estudio sobre la Gastronomía de la provincia de Imbabura como patrimonio cultural inmaterial, y sus procesos de rescate en la parroquia la Carolina perteneciente a la provincia de Imbabura. El patrimonio cultural, tanto el tangible como el intangible tienen especial relevancia en un conglomerado social por su historia, son parte de su identidad y llegan incluso a tener connotaciones de carácter espiritual. Se debe comprender que al utilizar al patrimonio como recurso turístico, tanto la comunidad receptora, como los visitantes deben comprometerse a respetar y preservarlos. Al respecto muchos actores aportan a su entendimiento y estrategias para un manejo adecuado. El presente trabajo en forma inicial se habla del problema de investigación, y se concluye que existe una pérdida de identidad en los aspectos gastronómicos, patrimoniales y turísticos los mismos que tienen una incidencia directa en la comunidad Como fundamentos teóricos se detallan elementos de conocimiento sobre sus manifestaciones culturales, gastronomía, y su patrimonio, como base y soporte de esta investigación. Para llegar a obtener resultados adecuados se identificó, los métodos científicos, empíricos que se deben utilizarse, así como las técnicas e instrumentos a utilizarse para la presente investigación, posteriormente la misma se aplicó encuestas y entrevistas en la que se obtuvo información relevante que aporto para la estructura de la propuesta, y finalmente se formula la propuesta en la que se incorporan los resultados orientados al rescate, revalorización y posicionamiento de la gastronomía de la parroquia la Carolina. Para el efecto se aplicó un proceso de investigación acción, con soportes en los métodos, deductivo, inductivo, analítico sintético y de análisis de contenido. Finalmente mediante la creación de una Ruta Gastronómica se establecerá el proceso de rescate de la gastronomía tradicional del sector y como consecuencia la diversificación de la economía local

Metal/Metalloid Levels in Electronic Cigarette Liquids, Aerosols, and Human Biosamples: A Systematic Review

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become popular, in part because they are perceived as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. An increasing number of studies, however, have found toxic metals/metalloids in e-cigarette emissions. Results: We identified 24 studies on metals/metalloids in e-liquid, e-cigarette aerosols, and human biosamples of e-cigarette users. Metal/metalloid levels, including aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, tin, and zinc, were present in e-cigarette samples in the studies reviewed. Twelve studies reported metal/metalloid levels in e-liquids (bottles, cartridges, open wick, and tank), 12 studies reported metal/metalloid levels in e-cigarette aerosols (from cig-a-like and tank devices), and 4 studies reported metal/metalloid levels in human biosamples (urine, saliva, serum, and blood) of e-cigarette users. Metal/metalloid levels showed substantial heterogeneity depending on sample type, source of e-liquid, and device type. Metal/metalloid levels in e-liquid from cartridges or tank/open wicks were higher than those from bottles, possibly due to coil contact. Most metal/metalloid levels found in biosamples of e-cigarette users were similar or higher than levels found in biosamples of conventional cigarette users, and even higher than those found in biosamples of cigar users. Conclusion: E-cigarettes are a potential source of exposure to metals/metalloids. Differences in collection methods and puffing regimes likely contribute to the variability in metal/metalloid levels across studies, making comparison across studies difficult. Standardized protocols for the quantification of metal/metalloid levels from e-cigarette samples are needed.This study was supported by NIEHS/FDA grants R21ES029777 and R01ES030025, NIEHS grant P30ES009089, and a Johns Hopkins University Technology Transfer Seed Award. D. Z. was supported by the China Scholarship Council (201706190116). A. A. was supported by a grant from the MD Cigarette Restitution Fund (grantPHPA-G2034)

Pregnancies following Protocols for Repetitive Synchronization of Ovulation in Primiparous Buffaloes in Different Seasons

Primiparous buffaloes were tested in two periods of the year characterized, by either low or high reproductive efficiency. They were subjected to two protocols for synchronization of ovulation: (i) Ovsynch (OV) and (ii) progesterone based (P4) treatment. After calving, the animals underwent a series of four cycles of re-synchronization protocols. The season did not affect pregnancy rates when the results of the two treatments were pooled together with regard to the first synchronization protocol, followed by AI. Pregnancy rates were similar during the low breeding season (50.3% vs. 57.4% in OV and P4, respectively), but different during the high breeding season (50.4% vs. 67.7% in OV and P4, respectively; p = 0.000). Logistic regression confirmed a significant effect of treatment and season interaction on pregnancy (p = 0.003). Following re-synchronization, a treatment by season interaction was detected during the low breeding season (odds ratio = 2.233), in favor of P4. Finally, a survival analysis showed a better response of animals subjected to P4 treatment from the second AI onward. In conclusion, the pooled data of pregnancy rates from both treatments between seasons are not different following AIs. Better results, though, were obtained from the implementation of P4 treatment, and are recorded in a season-fashioned mode when the comparison is made following first or cumulative AIs

Reduction of Direct Health Costs Associated with Pertussis Vaccination with Acellular Vaccines in Children Aged 0–9 Years with Pertussis in Catalonia (Spain)

Health costs; Acellular vaccines; PertussisCostos de salud; Vacunas acelulares; Tos ferinaCostos sanitaris; Vacunes acel·lulars; Tos ferinaObjectives: The aim of this study was to assess direct health costs in children with pertussis aged 0–9 years who were vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated during childhood, and to assess the association between pertussis costs and pertussis vaccination in Catalonia (Spain) in 2012–2013. Methods: Direct healthcare costs included pertussis treatment, pertussis detection, and preventive chemotherapy of contacts. Pertussis patients were considered vaccinated when they had received 4–5 doses, and unvaccinated or partially vaccinated when they had received 0–3 doses of vaccine. The Chi square test and the odds ratios were used to compare percentages and the t test was used to compare mean pertussis costs in different groups, considering a p < 0.05 as statistically significant. The correlation between pertussis costs and study variables was assessed using the Spearman’s ρ, with a p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Multiple linear regression analysis (IBM-SPSS program) was used to quantify the association of pertussis vaccination and other study variables with pertussis costs. Results: Vaccinated children with pertussis aged 0–9 years had significantly lower odds ratios of hospitalizations (OR 0.02, p < 0.001), laboratory confirmation (OR 0.21, p < 0.001), and severe disease (OR 0.02, p < 0.001) than unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children with pertussis of the same age. Mean direct healthcare costs were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in vaccinated patients (€190.6) than in unvaccinated patients (€3550.8), partially vaccinated patients (€1116.9), and unvaccinated/partially vaccinated patients (€2330). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that pertussis vaccination with 4–5 doses was associated with a non-significant reduction of pertussis costs of €107.9 per case after taking into account the effect of other study variables, and €200 per case after taking into account pertussis severity. Conclusions: Direct healthcare costs were lower in children with pertussis aged 0–9 years vaccinated with 4–5 doses of acellular vaccines than in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children with pertussis of the same age

Costs associated with influenza-related hospitalization in the elderly

[EN] Seasonal influenza epidemics remain a considerable burden in adults, especially in those at higher risk of complications. The aim of this study was to determine the costs associated with influenza-related hospitalization in patients aged ≥65 y admitted to 20 hospitals from 7 Spanish regions during the 2013–14 and 2014–15 influenza seasons. Bivariate analysis was used to compare costs in vaccinated and unvaccinated cases. Costs were calculated according to the Spanish National Health System diagnosis-related group tables for influenza and other respiratory system conditions (GRD 89 and GRD 101). A total of 728 confirmed influenza cases were recorded: 52.9% were male, 46.7% were aged 75–84 years, and 49.3% received influenza vaccine ≥15 d prior to hospital admission. Influenza-related mean hospitalization costs (MHC) were € 1,184,808 in unvaccinated and € 1,152,333 in vaccinated cases (2.75% lower). Influenza vaccination showed significant protection against ICU admission (OR 0.35, 95%CI 0.21–0.59; p < 0001); mechanical ventilation (OR 0.56, 95%CI 0.39–0.80; p = 0.002); secondary bacterial pneumonia (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.39–0.98; p = 0.04) and a higher degree of dependence (OR 0.74, 95%CI 0.55–0.99; p = 0.04). No association was observed for the Charlson comorbidity index or the mean hospital stay. Although influenza vaccination of the elderly may not achieve significant savings in mean hospitalization costs, it may lessen the degree of severity and avoid complications.S

Role of cis-zeatin in root responses to phosphate starvation

Phosphate (Pi) is an essential nutrient for all organisms. Root are underground organs, but the majority of the root biology studies have been done growing the root system in presence of light.Root illumination alters the Pi starvation response (PSR) at different levels. Thus, we have analyzed morphological, transcriptional and physiological responses to Pi starvation in dark‐grown roots.We have identified new genes and pathways regulated by Pi starvation that were not described previously. We also show that Pi‐starved plants increase the cis‐zeatin (cZ)/trans‐zeatin (tZ) ratio. Transcriptomic analyses show that tZ preferentially represses cell cycle and PSR genes while cZ induces genes involved in cell and root hair elongation and differentiation. In fact, cZ‐treated seedlings show longer root system as well as longer root hairs than tZ‐treated, increasing the total absorbing surface. Mutants with low cZ levels do not allocate free Pi in roots during Pi starvation.We propose that Pi‐starved plants increase the cZ/tZ ratio to maintain basal CK responses and allocate Pi in the root system to sustain its growth. Therefore, cZ acts as a Pi‐starvation response hormone that stimulates root and root hair elongation to enlarge root absorbing surface and to increase Pi levels in roots

Metal Concentrations in e-Cigarette Liquid and Aerosol Samples:The Contribution of Metallic Coils

Supplemental Material is available online (https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2175)Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generate an aerosol by heating a solution (e-liquid) with a metallic coil. Whether metals are transferred from the coil to the aerosol is unknown. Objective: Our goal was to investigate the transfer of metals from the heating coil to the e-liquid in the e-cigarette tank and the generated aerosol. Methods: We sampled 56 e-cigarette devices from daily e-cigarette users and obtained samples from the refilling dispenser, aerosol, and remaining e-liquid in the tank. Aerosol liquid was collected via deposition of aerosol droplets in a series of conical pipette tips. Metals were reported as mass fractions (μg/kg) in liquids and converted to mass concentrations (mg/m3) for aerosols. Results: Median metal concentrations (μg/kg) were higher in samples from the aerosol and tank vs. the dispenser (all p<0.001): 16.3 and 31.2 vs. 10.9 for Al; 8.38 and 55.4 vs. <0.5 for Cr; 68.4 and 233 vs. 2.03 for Ni; 14.8 and 40.2 vs. 0.476 for Pb; and 515 and 426 vs. 13.1 for Zn. Mn, Fe, Cu, Sb, and Sn were detectable in most samples. Cd was detected in 0.0, 30.4, and 55.1% of the dispenser, aerosol, and tank samples respectively. Arsenic was detected in 10.7% of dispenser samples (median 26.7 μg/kg) and these concentrations were similar in aerosol and tank samples. Aerosol mass concentrations (mg/m3) for the detected metals spanned several orders of magnitude and exceeded current health-based limits in close to 50% or more of the samples for Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that e-cigarettes are a potential source of exposure to toxic metals (Cr, Ni, and Pb), and to metals that are toxic when inhaled (Mn and Zn). Markedly higher concentrations in the aerosol and tank samples versus the dispenser demonstrate that coil contact induced e-liquid contamination.This study is supported by the Cigarette Restitution Fund (State of Maryland; grant PHPA-G2034). P.O. was supported by the Alfonso Martín Escudero Foundation (postdoctoral fellowship 2014). A.A. was supported by the American Heart Association Tobacco Regulation and Addiction Center (grant 1P50HL120163). A.N.A., M.H., and P.O. are supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health (grant 5P30ES009089)