Caracterización de la producción de fibra de vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) en la Región Cusco, Perú

This aim of this study was to describe the fibre diameter and fleece weight of vicuñas in the Cusco Region, Peru. The fibre diameter of 302 fibre samples of young, juveniles and adult vicuñas were evaluated using an OFDA 2000® equipment. The samples were collected in different programmed captures (called Chaccus) under two management systems: wildness and semi-captivity. In addition, 633 fleeces were weighed and differentiated by age, sex and type of management of the animals. The present study was authorized through the Resolution of General Direction N.° 180-2016-SERFOR/DGGSPFFS. The average fineness of the fibre of young (13.24 μm), juveniles (12.03 μm) and adults (12.72 μm) was determined. The fineness of fibre for males and females was 12.99 and 13.53 μm in young, 12.06 and 12.02 μm in juveniles and 12.88 and 12.58 μm in adults respectively. The smallest diameter of the fibre was found in juvenile vicuñas raised in the wildness (11.88 μm) and in the locality of Canllini (11.49 μm). The weight of fleece was greater in vicuñas raised in the wildness (165.01 g) and in adult animals (162.97 g), and without statistical differences between sexes. It is concluded that the best fibre characteristics were found in animals maintained in the wild.Con el objetivo de describir el diámetro de fibra y el peso de vellón de vicuñas en la Región Cusco, se evaluaron 302 muestras de fibra de vicuñas crías, juveniles y adultas mediante un equipo OFDA 2000®, colectadas en diferentes capturas programadas (denominadas Chaccus) bajo dos sistemas de manejo: silvestría y semicautividad. Se registró, además, el peso de 633 vellones diferenciados por edad, sexo y tipo de manejo de los animales. El presente estudio estuvo amparado con la Resolución de Dirección General N° 180-2016-SERFOR/DGGSPFFS. Se determinó la finura promedio de fibra de crías (13.24 μm), juveniles (12.03 μm) y adultos (12.72 μm). La finura para machos y hembras fue de 12.99 y 13.53 μm en las crías, 12.06 y 12.02 μm en los juveniles y 12.88 y 12.58 μm en los adultos, respectivamente. El menor diámetro de fibra se presentó en vicuñas juveniles en silvestría (11.88 μm) y en la localidad de Canllini (11.49 μm). El peso de vellón fue mayor en silvestría (165.01 g) y en animales adultos (162.97 g), sin hallar diferencia entre sexos. Se concluye que las mejores características de fibra se encontraron en animales mantenidos en silvestría

Factores de variación en la estructura poblacional y producción de fibra en vicuñas de la Región Cusco-Perú

The vicuña is an emblematic species of fauna conservation in Peru. The vicuña population recovered after several years of timely measures for their conservation, moving to appendix II of CITES. Currently there are vicuñas that are kept free (silvestry) and populations kept enclosed in permanent fences (captivity). During 2018, 58 programmed captures (known as Chacus) were done in the Cusco Region, capturing 6777 animals, corresponding to 3229 and 3548 heads for silvestry and captivity, respectively. The age distribution in the case of juveniles was higher in silvestry (18.08%) with respect to the captivity system (7.2%), which would be evidence of the existence of higher mortality in this population. The 2012 national census indicated a higher proportion of female vicuñas in the general population of the Cusco Region; however, in this work similar populations were found by sex in both rearing systems. The proportion of vicuñas sheared with respect to those captured was 52.95 and 30.21% for silvestry and captivity, respectively, while fibre production was 172.4 and 156.7 g per animal on average for silvestry and captivity, respectively. These results lead to the possibility of rethinking the use of permanent fences in the breeding of vicuñas in captivity to produce fibre, considering the lower productive levels obtained in this management system.La vicuña es una especie emblemática de la conservación de fauna en el Perú. La población de vicuñas se recuperó después de varios años de medidas oportunas para su conservación, pasando al apéndice II del CITES. En la actualidad existen vicuñas que se mantienen libres (silvestría) y poblaciones mantenidas encerradas en cercos permanentes (cautiverio). Durante 2018 se realizaron 58 capturas programadas (llamadas Chacus) en la Región Cusco, capturando 6777 animales, correspondiendo 3229 y 3548 cabezas para silvestría y cautividad, respectivamente. La distribución etaria en el caso de juveniles fue mayor en silvestría (18.08%) con respecto al sistema de cautividad (7.2%), lo cual estaría evidenciando la existencia de mayor mortalidad en esta población. El censo nacional de 2012 indica una mayor proporción de hembras en la población general de la Región Cusco; sin embargo, en este trabajo se encontraron poblaciones similares por sexo en ambos sistemas de crianza. La proporción de vicuñas esquiladas respecto a las capturadas fue de 52.95 y 30.21% para silvestría y cautividad, respectivamente, en tanto que la producción de fibra fue de 172.4 y 156.7 g por animal en promedio para silvestría y cautividad, respectivamente. Estos resultados conllevan a la posibilidad de replantear el uso de cercos permanentes en la crianza de vicuñas en cautiverio para la producción de fibra, considerando los menores niveles productivos obtenidos en este sistema de manejo

Skin tensile properties revisited during ageing. Where now, where next?

Skin and its subcutaneous layer represent a complex composite of tissues, whose mechanical characteristics depend upon the mutual interdependence of their constituent parts. The molecular and microanatomical structures of skin allow it to meet normal mechanical demands. They also determine the orientation both of Langer's lines and of relaxed skin tension lines. Ageing, photodamage, hormones, drugs, cosmetic products and dermatological interventions may modify the skin's overall tensile properties. In turn, any variation in mechanical stresses and strains imposed upon the skin's connective tissue influences the metabolic activity and phenotypic expression of fibroblasts and dermal dendrocytes. The viscoelastic functions of ageing skin can be tested by altering the orientation and magnitude of imposed stresses and strains over time. Assessment can be made of various biomechanical properties of skin: tensile, torsional, acoustic shear wave, indentation, impact and elevation. Such objective biomechanical assessments may be applied to dermocosmetic interventions, so providing opportunity for progress in cosmetic dermatological science

Prosthetic Valve Candida spp. Endocarditis: New Insights into Long-term Prognosis-The ESCAPE Study

Background. Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Candida spp. (PVE-C) is rare and devastating, with international guidelines based on expert recommendations supporting the combination of surgery and subsequent azole treatment. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed PVE-C cases collected in Spain and France between 2001 and 2015, with a focus on management and outcome. Results. Forty-six cases were followed up for a median of 9 months. Twenty-two patients (48%) had a history of endocarditis, 30 cases (65%) were nosocomial or healthcare related, and 9 (20%) patients were intravenous drug users. "Induction" therapy consisted mainly of liposomal amphotericin B (L-amB)-based (n = 21) or echinocandin-based therapy (n = 13). Overall, 19 patients (41%) were operated on. Patients <66 years old and without cardiac failure were more likely to undergo cardiac surgery (adjusted odds ratios [aORs], 6.80 [95% confdence interval [CI], 1.59-29.13] and 10.92 [1.15-104.06], respectively). Surgery was not associated with better survival rates at 6 months. Patients who received L-amB alone had a better 6-month survival rate than those who received an echinocandin alone (aOR, 13.52; 95% CI, 1.03-838.10). "Maintenance" fluconazole therapy, prescribed in 21 patients for a median duration of 13 months (range, 2-84 months), led to minor adverse effects. Conclusion. L-amB induction treatment improves survival in patients with PVE-C. Medical treatment followed by long-term maintenance fluconazole may be the best treatment option for frail patients

Prosthetic Valve Candida spp. Endocarditis: New Insights Into Long-term Prognosis—The ESCAPE Study

International audienceBackground: Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Candida spp. (PVE-C) is rare and devastating, with international guidelines based on expert recommendations supporting the combination of surgery and subsequent azole treatment.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed PVE-C cases collected in Spain and France between 2001 and 2015, with a focus on management and outcome.Results: Forty-six cases were followed up for a median of 9 months. Twenty-two patients (48%) had a history of endocarditis, 30 cases (65%) were nosocomial or healthcare related, and 9 (20%) patients were intravenous drug users. "Induction" therapy consisted mainly of liposomal amphotericin B (L-amB)-based (n = 21) or echinocandin-based therapy (n = 13). Overall, 19 patients (41%) were operated on. Patients <66 years old and without cardiac failure were more likely to undergo cardiac surgery (adjusted odds ratios [aORs], 6.80 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-29.13] and 10.92 [1.15-104.06], respectively). Surgery was not associated with better survival rates at 6 months. Patients who received L-amB alone had a better 6-month survival rate than those who received an echinocandin alone (aOR, 13.52; 95% CI, 1.03-838.10). "Maintenance" fluconazole therapy, prescribed in 21 patients for a median duration of 13 months (range, 2-84 months), led to minor adverse effects.Conclusion: L-amB induction treatment improves survival in patients with PVE-C. Medical treatment followed by long-term maintenance fluconazole may be the best treatment option for frail patients

Candida bloodstream infections in intensive care units: analysis of the extended prevalence of infection in intensive care unit study

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVES: To provide a global, up-to-date picture of the prevalence, treatment, and outcomes of Candida bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients and compare Candida with bacterial bloodstream infection. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the Extended Prevalence of Infection in the ICU Study (EPIC II). Demographic, physiological, infection-related and therapeutic data were collected. Patients were grouped as having Candida, Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and combined Candida/bacterial bloodstream infection. Outcome data were assessed at intensive care unit and hospital discharge. SETTING: EPIC II included 1265 intensive care units in 76 countries. PATIENTS: Patients in participating intensive care units on study day. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 14,414 patients in EPIC II, 99 patients had Candida bloodstream infections for a prevalence of 6.9 per 1000 patients. Sixty-one patients had candidemia alone and 38 patients had combined bloodstream infections. Candida albicans (n = 70) was the predominant species. Primary therapy included monotherapy with fluconazole (n = 39), caspofungin (n = 16), and a polyene-based product (n = 12). Combination therapy was infrequently used (n = 10). Compared with patients with Gram-positive (n = 420) and Gram-negative (n = 264) bloodstream infections, patients with candidemia were more likely to have solid tumors (p < .05) and appeared to have been in an intensive care unit longer (14 days [range, 5-25 days], 8 days [range, 3-20 days], and 10 days [range, 2-23 days], respectively), but this difference was not statistically significant. Severity of illness and organ dysfunction scores were similar between groups. Patients with Candida bloodstream infections, compared with patients with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bloodstream infections, had the greatest crude intensive care unit mortality rates (42.6%, 25.3%, and 29.1%, respectively) and longer intensive care unit lengths of stay (median [interquartile range]) (33 days [18-44], 20 days [9-43], and 21 days [8-46], respectively); however, these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Candidemia remains a significant problem in intensive care units patients. In the EPIC II population, Candida albicans was the most common organism and fluconazole remained the predominant antifungal agent used. Candida bloodstream infections are associated with high intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates and resource use