Estructura y variabilidad genética del bisonte americano (Bison bison) en México

Controlling for genetic variables to managing conservation populations. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers were used to analyze genetic structure and variability in an American bison population in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. A total of 174 individuals were sampled and analysis done of 42,366 SNP distributed in 29 chromosomes. Estimates were done of expected (He) and observed (Ho) heterozygosity, polymorphic information content (PIC), the fixation index (FST), the Shannon index (SI), linkage disequilibrium (LD), kinship relationships (Rij; %), and effective population size (Ne). A genetic structure analysis was run to infer how many lines or genomes (k) define the studied population. A panel with 2,135 polymorphic SNPs was identified and selected, with an average of 74 SNP per chromosome. In the exclusion process, 84.5 % were monomorphic, 8.5 % had a usable percentage less than 90 %, 6.3 % had a minor allele frequency less than 0.01 and 0.70 % exhibited Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium (P<0.05). Estimated values were 0.30 for the SI, 0.187 for Ho, 0.182 for He, -0.029 for the FST, and 0.152 for PIC. Of the 15,051 Rij estimates generated, the average value was 7.6 %, and 45.1 % were equal to zero. The Ne was 12.5, indicating a possible increase of 4 % in consanguinity per generation. Three genetic lines were identified (proportions = 0.730, 0.157 and 0.113), and, given the study population’s origin, are probably associated with natural selection or genetic drift. Genetic variability, as well as Rij levels, must be considered in conservation schemes.Los objetivos fueron analizar la estructura y variabilidad genética del bisonte americano con marcadores genéticos de tipo SNP. Se muestrearon 174 bisontes y se analizaron 42,366 SNP distribuidos en los 29 cromosomas. Se estimó la heterocigosis esperada (He) y observada (Ho), contenido de información polimórfica (CIP), índice de fijación (FIS), índice de Shannon (IS), desequilibrio de ligamiento y relación de parentesco (Rij; %), así como el tamaño efectivo de población (Ne). Se realizó un análisis de estructura genética para inferir cuántas líneas o genomas (k) definen la población. Se identificó y seleccionó un panel con 2,135 SNP polimórficos, con un promedio de 74 SNP por cromosoma. En el proceso de exclusión,  84.5 % fueron monomórficos,  8.5 % con porcentaje de usables menor a 90 %, 6.3 % con frecuencia del alelo menor inferior a 0.01 y 0.70 % por desequilibrio Hardy-Weinberg (P<0.05). Las estimaciones de IS, Ho, He, FIS y CIP fueron de 0.30, 0.187, 0.182, -0.029 y 0.152, respectivamente. Se generaron 15,051 estimaciones de Rij, el valor promedio de éstas fue 7.6 %, y el 45.1 % de ellas fue igual a cero. El Ne fue de 12.5, señalando un posible incremento de consanguinidad por generación de 4 %. Se identificaron tres líneas genéticas, con proporciones de 0.730, 0.157 y 0.113; dado el origen de la población, se asocian a selección natural o deriva genética. La variabilidad genética, así como los niveles de la Rij, se deben de considerar en esquemas de conservación

Agrárpiaci Jelentések, Baromfi

Amerikai Egyesült Államok agrárminisztériumának (USDA) májusban megjelent jelentése szerint az USA csirkehústermelése 4,6 millió tonna körül alakult 2017 első negyedévében, ami 2 százalékkal haladta meg az előző év azonos időszakának kibocsátását. Az Európai Bizottság adatai alapján 2017 első 20 hetében 178 euró/100 kilogramm volt az egész csirke uniós átlagára, kismértékben csökkent az előző év hasonló időszakának átlagárához viszonyítva. Magyarországon a vágócsirke élősúlyos termelői ára (245,9 forint/kilogramm) 4,3 százalékkal volt alacsonyabb 2017 20. hetében az egy évvel korábbinál

Urocortin-2 Prevents Dysregulation of Ca2+ Homeostasis and Improves Early Cardiac Remodeling After Ischemia and Reperfusion

Aims: Urocortin-2 (Ucn-2) is a potent cardioprotector against Ischemia and Reperfusion (I/R) injuries. However, little is known about its role in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) under I/R. Here, we examined whether the addition of Ucn-2 in reperfusion promotes cardioprotection focusing on ([Ca2+]i handling.Methods and Results: Cardiac Wistar rat model of I/R was induced by transient ligation of the left coronary artery and experiments were conducted 1 week after surgery in tissue and adult cardiomyocytes isolated from risk and remote zones. We observed that I/R promoted significant alteration in cardiac contractility as well as an increase in hypertrophy and fibrosis in both zones. The study of confocal [Ca2+]i imaging in adult cardiomyocytes revealed that I/R decreased the amplitude of [Ca2+]i transient and cardiomyocytes contraction in risk and remote zones. Interestingly, intravenous infusion of Ucn-2 before heart’s reperfusion recovered significantly cardiac contractility and prevented fibrosis, but it didn’t affect cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, Ucn-2 recovered the amplitude of [Ca2+]i transient and modulated the expression of several proteins related to [Ca2+]i homeostasis, such as TRPC5 and Orai1 channels. Using Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes (NRVM) we demonstrated that Ucn-2 blunted I/R-induced Store Operated Ca2+ Entry (SOCE), decreased the expression of TRPC5 and Orai1 as well as their interaction in reperfusion.Conclusion: Our study provides the first evidences demonstrating that Ucn-2 addition at the onset of reperfusion attenuates I/R-induced adverse cardiac remodeling, involving the [Ca2+]i handling and inhibiting the expression and interaction between TRPC5 and Orai1

Rede de Aerobiologia da Extremadura

The development of aerobiological networks in Spain has been made at the level of the autonomous communities. In Extremadura the sampling is conducted by the University of Extremadura. It began in 1993 with a station in Badajoz (BA). Two towns have had sampling on a temporary basis: Cáceres (CC 1996-2001) and Merida (ME 1996-1998). Currently there are 3 more sampling stations, which have been running since 2011: Plasencia (PL), Don Benito (DB) and Zafra (ZA), and CC again recently. The Annual Pollen Index (annual daily amounts) has shown an average of more than 50.000 pollen grains/m3 (23.532-92.655). In Badajoz (23 years) the results show a downward trend. The maximum daily concentration peaks were reached in 1997, with values of 6.102 grains/ m3 (CC 21/3) and 5.041 grains/m3 (BA 23/3). The five most important pollen types represent 78% of all the pollen registered. Their importance varies from one station to another. Quercus, Poaceae, Olea, Cupressaceae and Platanus, in this order, are the most abundant pollen types in all stations, except Platanus, which is the second most abundant in DB, and Olea, which is second in ZA. The data have been available on the research group’s website (www.aerouex.es) since 2006, and the record of visitors to the site shows a signi cant correlation with the concentration of pollen. Extremadura stands out for its high pollen concentrations of Poaceae and Quercus, due to its wide expanses of oak and cork trees. Pollen from ornamental sources –Cupressaceae and Platanus— shows a strong dependence on their abundance and distribution.El desarrollo de redes aerobiológicas en España se ha realizado a nivel de las comunidades autónomas. En Extremadura el muestreo llevado a cabo por la Universidad de Extremadura comenzó en 1993 con la estación de Badajoz (BA). Dos localidades han tenido muestreo de forma temporal, Cáceres (CC 1996-2001) y Mérida (ME 1996-1998). En la actualidad se cuenta con 3 estaciones de muestreo más, funcionando desde 2011: Plasencia (PL), Don Benito (DB) y Zafra (ZA) y, de forma reciente, nuevamente CC. El Índice Polínico Anual (la suma de las concentraciones de polen diarias para un año) ha mostrado un promedio de más de 50.000 granos/m3 (23.532-92.655). Para Badajoz (23 años) se aprecia una tendencia a la reducción. Los picos de concentración diaria máxima se alcanzaron en 1997 con valores de 6.102 granos/m3 (CC 21/3) y 5.041 granos/m3 (BA 23/3). Los cinco tipos polínicos más relevantes representan el 78% del total de polen registrado. Su importancia varía de una estación a otra. Quercus, Poaceae, Olea, Cupressaceae y Platanus, en este orden, son los tipos más abundantes en todas las estaciones, excepto Platanus que es el segundo en DB y Olea que es el segundo en ZA. Desde 2006 los datos están disponibles a través de la página web del grupo de investigación (www.aerouex.es) y el registro de los accesos a dicho sitio muestra una correlación significativa con la concentración de polen. Extremadura se destaca por los altos valores de concentración de polen de Quercus y Poaceae, debido a la gran extensión de encinares y alcornocales. El polen de fuentes ornamentales, Cupressaceae y Platanus, muestra una importante dependencia de su abundancia y distribución en las localidades estudiadas.O desenvolvimento das redes de aerobiologia em Espanha foi realizado ao nível das comunidades autónomas. Na Extremadura a amostragem levada a cabo pela Universidade de Extremadura começou em 1993 com a estação de Badajoz (BA). Duas localidades foram temporariamente estudadas como pontos de amostragem, Cáceres (CC 1996-2001) e Mérida (ME 1996-1998). Existem, atualmente, em execução desde 2011, mais 3 estações de amostragem: Plasencia (PL), Don Benito (DB) e Zafra (ZA) e, recentemente, de novo CC. O Índice Polínico Anual (somas diárias anuais) mostrou uma média de mais de 50.000 grãos/m3 (23.532-92.655). Em Badajoz (23 anos) verifica-se uma tendência para a redução da concentração. Os picos de concentração máximos diários foram alcançados em 1997 com os valores de 6.102 grãos/m3 (CC 21/3) e 5.041 grãos/m3 (BA 23/3). Os cinco tipos polínicos mais importantes representam 78% de pólen total registrado. A sua importância varia de uma estação para outra. Quercus, Poaceae, Olea, Cupressaceae e Platanus, nesta ordem, são os tipos mais abundantes em todas as estações, exceto Platanus que é o segundo em DB e Olea que é o segundo em ZA. Os dados estão disponíveis desde 2006 através do site do grupo de investigação (www. aerouex.es) e o registro de acessos mostra uma correlação significativa com a concentração de pólen. A Extremadura destaca-se pelos valores elevados de concentração de pólen de Poaceae e de Quercus, devido à grande extensão de azinheiras e sobreiros. O pólen de origens ornamentais, Cupressaceae e Platanus, mostra uma dependência significativa de sua abundância e distribuição nas localidades estudadas

SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs is not an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome

The aim was to assess the ability of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load at first patient’s hospital evaluation to predict unfavorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 321 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs. Quantitative Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA cycle threshold values were used to calculate the viral load in log10 copies/mL. Disease severity at the end of follow up was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. Primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death (n = 85, 26.4%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the second quartile (≥ 7.35 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.003) and second tertile (≥ 8.27 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.01) were associated to unfavorable outcome in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. However, in the final multivariable analysis, viral load was not independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. Five predictors were independently associated with increased odds of ICU admission and/or death: age ≥ 70 years, SpO2, neutrophils > 7.5 × 103/µL, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 300 U/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L. In summary, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load on admission is generally high in patients with COVID-19, regardless of illness severity, but it cannot be used as an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality