Foraging Behavior of Zebu Cattle Grazing Deciduous Forest

The objective of this study was to determine whether the foraging behavior of Zebu cattle in deciduous forest was affected by time of the year. Data were recorded during the wet, nortes and dry seasons. Ten Zebu cows were used to record biting rate. Intake and bite size was estimated using three esophageally fistulated animals. Cattle browsed shrubs and trees in the wet season and ingested litter leaves in the dry season which resulted in differences of ingestive behavior. In general, bite size and intake were higher in the wet season and decreased during the nortes and dry seasons

Optimisation of Multilayer Perceptrons Using a Distributed Evolutionary Algorithm with SOAP

Abstract. SOAP (simple object access protocol) is a protocol that al-lows the access to remote objects independently of the computer archi-tecture and the language. A client using SOAP can send or receive ob-jects, or access remote object methods. Unlike other remote procedure call methods, like XML-RPC or RMI, SOAP can use many different transport types (for instance, it could be called as a CGI or as sockets). In this paper an approach to evolutionary distributed optimisation of multilayer perceptrons (MLP) using SOAP and language Perl has been done. Obtained results show that the parallel version of the developed programs obtains similar or better results using much less time than the sequential version, obtaining a good speedup. Also it can be shown that obtained results are better than those obtained by other authors using different methods.

Trichuris dolichotis Morini, Boero & Rodriguez, 1955 (Nematoda: Trichuridae) en Dolichotis patagonum (Zimmermann, 1780) (Rodentia: Caviidae) del centro para la conservación de fauna silvestre, San Juan, Argentina

In Argentina, there is one record of the nematode Trichuris dolichotis Morini, Boero & Rodriguez, 1955 (Nematoda: Trichuridae) parasitizing the mara Dolichotis patagonum (Zimmermann, 1780), which corresponds to its original description in 1955. In June 2023, at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, San Juan province, a specimen of mara male D. patagonum died and the necropsy´s results are under investigation at the moment. The post-mortem identified (n= 5) female nematodes of T. dolichotis in the intestine. In the present study we present the second record after 58 years of not reporting its presence, being the first record for the province of San Juan and the second for Argentina. The present work contributes to the knowledge of the mammalian parasite fauna of Argentina.En Argentina existe un registro del nemátodo Trichuris dolichotis Morini, Boero y Rodriguez, 1955 (Nematoda: Trichuridae) parasitando la mara Dolichotis patagonum (Zimmermann, 1780), la cual corresponde a su descripción original del año 1955. En junio del 2023, en el Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, provincia de San Juan, un ejemplar de mara macho D. patagonum murió por causas que se investigan. Se procedió a realizar la necropsia correspondiente, identificando durante el proceso a nemátodos hembras (n= 5) de T. dolichotis en intestino. Nosotros en el presente estudio presentamos un segundo registro luego de 58 años de no reportar su presencia, siendo el primer registro para la provincia de San Juan y el segundo para Argentina. El presente trabajo contribuye al conocimiento de la fauna de parásitos de mamíferos de Argentina

Contribución al conocimiento de nemátodos parásitos en mamíferos de la provincia de San Juan, Argentina

The endoparasitic fauna of four mammal species was analyzed: Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) (cougar), Lycalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814) (grey fox), Myocastor coypus (Molina 1782) (coipus) and Tolypeutes matacus (Linnaeus, 1758) (armadillo). These specimens entered the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation, Environmental Education and Responsible Recreation located in the province of San Juan, Argentina. Out of the four mammal species, three died on the spot. The necropsy of L. gymnocercus, M. coypus and T. matacus was carried out, and it was evidenced the presence of three species of parasitic nematodes: Physaloptera clausa Rudolphi, 1819 (Physalopteridae) in L. gymnocercus; Trichuris myocastoris Enigk, 1933 (Trichuridae) in M. coypus; and adult females of Aspidodera sp. Railliet & Henry, 1912 in T. matacus. Regarding P. concolor, the expulsion of nematodes was orally, determining the presence of Toxascaris sp. Linstow, 1902 larvae (Toxocaridae). Metric and morphological data of the evidenced nematodes are presented. The present work mentions four new parasite-host interactions for Argentina, and the first records for the province of San Juan, thus contributing to the knowledge of parasites in mammals.Analizamos la fauna endoparasitaria de cuatro especies de mamíferos; Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) (puma), Lycalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814) (zorro gris), Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) (coipus) y Tolypeutes matacus (Linnaeus, 1758) (armadillo de tres bandas) del Centro de Rehabilitación de Vida Silvestre, Educación Ambiental y Recreación Responsable en la provincia de San Juan, Argentina. De las cuatro especies de mamíferos que ingresaron al Centro de Rehabilitación, tres fallecieron en el lugar, posteriormente se procedió a realizar la necropsia. El análisis post mortem de L. gymnocercus, M. coypus y T. matacus evidencio la presencia de tres especies de nemátodos parásitos; Physaloptera clausa Rudolphi, 1819 (Physalopteridae) en L. gymnocercus, Trichuris myocastoris Enigk, 1933 (Trichuridae) en M. coypus, y hembras adultas de Aspidodera sp. Railliet & Henry, 1912 en T. matacus. Con respecto al P. concolor, expulsó los nemátodos por vía oral, determinándose la presencia de larvas de Toxascaris sp. Linstow, 190 (Toxocaridae). Se presentan datos métricos y morfológicos de los nemátodos. Nuestro trabajo menciona cuatro nuevas interacciones parásitos- hospedadores para Argentina y los primeros registros para la provincia de San Juan, contribuyendo de esta forma al conocimiento parasitario en mamíferos

Vaccines: A Promising Therapy for Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) define clonal hematopoietic malignancies characterized by heterogeneous mutational and clinical spectra typically seen in the elderly. Curative treatment entails allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, which is often not a feasible option due to older age and significant comorbidities. Immunotherapy has the cytotoxic capacity to elicit tumor-specific killing with long-term immunological memory. While a number of platforms have emerged, therapeutic vaccination presents as an appealing strategy for MDS given its promising safety profile and amenability for commercialization. Several preclinical and clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of vaccines in MDS; these include peptide vaccines targeting tumor antigens, whole cell-based vaccines and dendritic cell-based vaccines. These therapeutic vaccines have shown acceptable safety profiles, but consistent clinical responses remain elusive despite robust immunological reactions. Combining vaccines with immunotherapeutic agents holds promise and requires further investigation. Herein, we highlight therapeutic vaccine trials while reviewing challenges and future directions of successful vaccination strategies in MDS

Indoor/outdoor relationships and mass closure of quasi-ultrafine, accumulation and coarse particles in Barcelona schools

Altres ajuts: MAGRAMA/CGL2011-26574Altres ajuts: MAGRAMA/UCA2009020083The mass concentration, chemical composition and sources of quasi-ultrafine (quasi-UFP, PM0.25), accumulation (PM0.25−2.5) and coarse mode (PM2.5−10) particles were determined in indoor and outdoor air at 39 schools in Barcelona (Spain). Quasi-UFP mass concentrations measured (25.6 μgm−3 outdoors, 23.4 μgm−3 indoors) are significantly higher than those reported in other studies, and characterised by higher carbonaceous and mineral matter contents and a lower proportion of secondary inorganic ions. Results suggest that quasi-UFPs in Barcelona are affected by local sources in the schools, mainly human activity (e.g. organic material from textiles, etc., contributing 23-46% to total quasi-UFP mass) and playgrounds (in the form of mineral matter, contributing about 9% to the quasi-UFP mass). The particle size distribution patterns of toxicologically relevant metals and major aerosol components was characterised, displaying two modes for most elements and components, and one mode for inorganic salts (ammonium nitrate and sulfate)and elemental carbon (EC). Regarding metals, Ni and Cr were partitioned mainly in quasi-UFPs and could thus be of interest for epidemiological studies, given their high redox properties. Exposure of children to quasi-UFP mass and chemical species was assessed by comparing the concentrations measured at urban background and traffic areas schools. Finally, three main indoor sources across all size fractions were identified by assessing indoor / outdoor ratios (I / O) of PM species used as their tracers: human activity (organic material), cleaning products, paints and plastics (Cl− source), and a metallic mixed source (comprising combinations of Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, As, V and Cr). Our results support the need to enforce targeted legislation to determine a minimum "safe" distance between major roads and newly built schools to reduce exposure to traffic-derived metals in quasi-UFPs

Primer registro de infestación en un reptil por larvas de <i>Amblyomma parvitarsum</i> (Acari: Ixodidae) en Argentina

El parasitismo es una de las formas de vida más comunes en el reino animal, sin embargo, no debe ser visto solamente desde el punto de vista económico o de la salud. Los parásitos son excelentes indicadores ecológicos y aportan información de la relaciones filogenéticas con sus hospedadores. Dentro de la familia Ixodidae, el género Amblyomma está representado por aproximadamente 135 especies en todo el mundo. Estas garrapatas presentan un ciclo de vida de tres hospedadores, donde cada uno de los estadios parasíticos (larva, ninfa y adulto) utiliza hospedadores diferentes que pueden pertenecer o no a la misma especie. El presente trabajo menciona, por primera vez para Argentina, la presencia de larvas de Amblyomma parvitarsum parasitando al lagarto Liolaemus eleodori (Iguania: Liolaemidae) en una localidad de la provincia de San Juan. Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumenFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Afectaciones en la producción de cerdos en una granja comercial en el noreste de México

ESPAÑOL: Al evaluar la productividad de cerdas de una granja comercial en el noreste de México para el número de parto, solamente se presentó un efecto (P< 0.05) sobre el intervalo destetecelo. Se presentó un efecto significativo (P <0.05) de la línea materna sobre el intervalo destete-celo y el intervalo entre partos. El grupo de año influyó sobre el intervalo destetecelo, y se obtuvieron los valores más bajos en los grupos 1992 -1994, 1995-1997 y 2004-2006. En cuanto a la época de servicio, no se encontraron efectos significativos para las variables estudiadas. Con relación a los factores ambientales es importante considerarlos desde el punto de vista reproductivo en este tipo de granja comercial. ENGLISH: In assessing the productivity of sows from a commercial farm in northeastern Mexico for parity number, only the effect on the interval from weaning to estrus was significant (P <0.05). There was a significant effect (P <0.05) in the maternal line on weaning-estrus interval and calving interval. Year group influenced the weaning-estrus interval, obtaining the lowest values in the groups 1992 -1994, 1995-1997, and 2004-2006. As for the time of service, no significant effects were found for the variables studied. With regard to environmental factors it is important to consider them from the point of view in this kind of commercial farms