The Elephant in the Room

According to the Swedish legislator, animal welfare is an important ethical issue in the country that has deep and broad anchoring in human consciousness. Nevertheless, criticism regarding urgent measures needed to raise the level of legislative protection for animals has been articulated in international comparisons. One of these measures being that Sweden ought to ban the use of all wild animals for entertainment purposes. Correspondingly, when the new Swedish Animal Welfare Act 2018:1192 was incorporated in 2019, the supplementary Animal Welfare Ordinance 2019:66 also followed which now added elephants to a list of 11 other kinds of wild animals prohibited to be displayed at circuses or similar operations. Notably, the new ban did however not prohibit the exhibition of elephants at zoos in Sweden. The reason behind the ban was according to the responsible minister that it was obvious that elephants’ natural behavior could not be satisfied in a circus. The Animal Welfare Act distinctly contains the contingent of natural behavior as a stipulation for a good animal environment. This critical animal law article consequently focuses its analysis to the issue of elephant’s prospects of natural behavior in both the circus as well as in the zoo environment. By utilizing elephants as an example and by comparing these two different institutions of entertainment, a systematic study illustrates an inconsistent use in the application of the legal requirement ‘natural behavior’. Key words: Animal Law, Animal Protection, Animal Rights, Animal Welfare, Critical Animal Studies, Ethology, Natural Behavior

Cell surface immobilization of GABAARs in cerebellar granule cells depends on the M3/M4 cytoplasmatic loop of the alpha 1 subunit

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate brain. The localization of GABA receptors type A (GABAARs) at strategically located domains of the neuronal membrane is of vital importance for fast inhibitory synapse transmission efficacy. We have shown before that the lateral mobility of GABAARs depends on subunit composition of the complex. To study the lateral mobility of GABAARs in living, cultured neurons, we transfected cerebellar granule cells with either the complete 1 GABAAR subunit or with a truncation of the 1 subunit that lacks the major intracellular loop (M3/M4). We examined the location and lateral mobility of receptors containing both versions of the 1 subunit in living neurons. From fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments we present novel evidences that the intracellular M3/M4 loop of the 1 subunit restricts the lateral mobility of GABAARs when expressed in neurons. In addition, our immunocytochemical studies suggested that receptors containing the truncated subunit seem to be unable to reach synaptic localizations. Here we show for the first time that the 1 intracellular loop (M3/M4) domain has a relevant role in controlling the lateral mobility of GABAARs in neurons, and we believe that this is a novel and important contribution in neurobiology of GABAA receptors

Las prácticas curriculares y extracurriculares realizadas por los estudiantes de la facultad de documentación de la universidad de Murcia (1991-2001)

Estudio de las prácticas realizadas por los alumnos de la Diplomatura de Biblioteconomía y Documentación y de la Literatura en Documentación de la Universidad de Murcia desde sus inicios en 1991 hasta el año 2001. Se realiza un análisis cuantitativo de la información extraída de la base de datos del Centro de Orientación e Información para el Empleo (COIE), que recoge lugares de prácticas, con objeto de obtener las funciones y los perfiles más solicitados por las empresas. Las funciones más demandadas son aquellas por las que tradicionalmente se conoce a la profesión, como son catalogación y clasificación de documentos, aunque también se puede ver una tendencia progresiva a realizar otras tareas más actuales como creación y actualización de bases de dato, búsquedas en Internet, gestión de recursos audiovisuales, y gestión de calidad. Esto es especialmente significativo en las prácticas de la Licenciatura de Documentación. Las becas, a pesar de que son un importante estímulo, no alcanzan ni el 24% de las prácticas hechas por los alumnos de primer ciclo, mientras que las realizadas por los de segundo ciclo superan el 50%. El análisis de las prácticas de ambas titulaciones deja entrever características similares, con algunos cambios en las funciones solicitadas. Esto último también pone de manifiesto que las entidades, a la hora de buscar estudiantes, solicitan los mismos perfiles tanto para primer como para segundo ciclo; lo que nos hace pensar que no debe parecerles muy clara la diferencia entre ambas.The present study analyses the sessions of practical work carried out by students on the diploma course in Librarianship and on the course for the Licenciate in Information Science at the University of Murcia from their beginnings in 1991 up to 2001. A quantitative analysis of information drawn from the data base belonging to the Centre for Employment Orientation and Information (COIE) is carried out detailing the centers for the practical sessions, towns, duration, grants. etc. Afterwards the information contained in the reports submitted on completion of the practice is analyzed with a view to obtaining the functions and profiles most required by companies. The functions most in demand are those which are traditionally recognized as belonging to the profession such as cataloguing and classification of documents, although there is a trend towards other more up to date activities such as the setting up and updating of databases, Internet searching, audiovisual resources management and quality management. This is particularly significant in the practices for the Licentiate in Documentation. The grants, although an important incentive, do not cover even 24% of the practices carried out by students following the diploma course whereas they cover more than 50% of those in the second cycle. The analysis of the practices for both the diploma and the licentiate evidences similar characteristics with a few changes in the functions required. It also reveals that organizations when asking for students require the same profiles both for the first and the second cycle which would seem to indicate that they are not very clear as to the difference between the two

Correlated Response on Growth Traits and Their Variabilities to Selection for Ovulation Rate in Rabbits Using Genetic Trends and a Cryopreserved Control Population

[EN] Simple Summary A successful response was obtained after selection for ovulation rate during 10 generations in rabbits. However, no correlated response in litter size was observed due to an increase in prenatal mortality. This increase could be due to the reduction in fetus weights and/or an increase in variable asynchrony among fetus weights. Therefore, the consequences of the selection procedure on weight at 28 and 63 days old (weaning and commercial time, respectively) and its variability are unknown. Using genetic trends and a cryopreserved control population for estimating correlated responses to selection, no relevant response on weight at 28 and 63 days old was observed. Similar results have been obtained for the variability of growth traits. The aim of this work was to estimate correlated responses in growth traits and their variabilities in an experiment of selection for ovulation rate during 10 generations in rabbits. Individual weight at 28 days old (IW28, kg) and at 63 days old (IW63, kg) was analyzed, as well as individual growth rate (IGR = IW63 - IW28, kg). The variability of each growth trait was calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the individual value and the mean value of their litter. Data were analyzed using Bayesian methodology. The estimated heritabilities of IW28, IW63 and IGR were low, whereas negligible heritabilities were obtained for growth variability traits. The common litter effect was high for all growth traits, around 30% of the phenotypic variance, whereas low maternal effect for all growth traits was obtained. Low genetic correlations between ovulation rate and growth traits were found, and also between ovulation rate and the variability of growth traits. Therefore, genetic trends methods did not show correlated responses in growth traits. A similar result was also obtained using a cryopreserved control population.This research was funded by Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia, grant number PID2020-115558GB-C21, and by Generalitat Valenciana research program (Prometeo 2009/125). Celia Quirino was supported by a fellowship of the CoordenacAo de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-Brasil (CAPES)-Finance Code 001.Peiró Barber, RM.; Quirino, C.; Blasco Mateu, A.; Santacreu, M. (2021). Correlated Response on Growth Traits and Their Variabilities to Selection for Ovulation Rate in Rabbits Using Genetic Trends and a Cryopreserved Control Population. Animals. 11(9):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092591S11311

Scleromyxedema: Clinical Diagnosis And Autopsy Findings

Scleromyxedema is a rare chronic cutaneous mucinosis of unknown etiology. It is characterized by papular eruption and scleroderma with microscopic evidence of mucin deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and fibrosis. Most patients with scleromyxedema have monoclonal gammopathy and systemic manifestations resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Several types of treatment have been reported with partial or inconsistent responses. Despite showing unpredictable evolution, systemic consequences of scleromyxedema and treatment side effects may result in death. We describe a rare case of a patient with scleromyxedema without paraproteinemia with systemic involvement that evolved to death despite treatment with cyclophosphamide.9151485

WAT ALTERATIONS IN DIABETIC MICE: ITS CONNECTION AND IMPLICATION IN AD PATHOGENESIS

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex disorder and multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in AD onset and progression. Recent evidences have suggested that metabolic alterations are an important pathological feature in disease progression in AD. Likewise, diabetes and obesity, two mayor metabolic illnesses associated with white adipose tissue expansion, are risk factors for AD. Here, we hypothesize that the white adipose tissue may serve as a key communicator organ between the brain and peripheral metabolic illnesses. We used histological stains, immunohistochemistry and biochemical means to determine changes in the white adipose tissue from WT and db/db mice. Moreover, similar techniques were used in the brain of 3xTg-AD mice that received white fat pads from WT and db/db donors to determine any changes in amyloid and tau pathology. Our study shows that recipient 3xTg-AD mice from db/db fat pads mice develop profound changes in tau pathology due to increased CDK5/p25 expression compared to 3xTg-AD mice that received fad pads from WT mice. This increment in tau level was associated with elevated levels in IL-1β and microglial activation. However, we found that Aβ levels were reduced in recipient 3xTg-AD mice from db/db fat pads compared to 3xTg- AD mice that received fad pads from WT mice. These reduction in Aβ levels were correlated with an increment in microglia phagocytic capacity. Overall, our study demonstrates a novel important crosstalk between AD and diabetes type II through white adipose cells and a differential effect on tau and Aβ pathology

The COMET (Comparison of Operative versus Monitoring and Endocrine Therapy) trial: a phase III randomised controlled clinical trial for low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Introduction Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive non-obligate precursor of invasive breast cancer. With guideline concordant care (GCC), DCIS outcomes are at least as favourable as some other early stage cancer types such as prostate cancer, for which active surveillance (AS) is a standard of care option. However, AS has not yet been tested in relation to DCIS. The goal of the COMET (Comparison of Operative versus Monitoring and Endocrine Therapy) trial for low-risk DCIS is to gather evidence to help future patients consider the range of treatment choices for low-risk DCIS, from standard therapies to AS. The trial will determine whether there may be some women who do not substantially benefit from current GCC and who could thus be safely managed with AS. This protocol is version 5 (11 July 2018). Any future protocol amendments will be submitted to Quorum Centralised Institutional Review Board/local institutional review boards for approval via the sponsor of the study (Alliance Foundation Trials). Methods and analysis COMET is a phase III, randomised controlled clinical trial for patients with low-risk DCIS. The primary outcome is ipsilateral invasive breast cancer rate in women undergoing GCC compared with AS. Secondary objectives will be to compare surgical, oncological and patient-reported outcomes. Patients randomised to the GCC group will undergo surgery as well as radiotherapy when appropriate; those in the AS group will be monitored closely with surgery only on identification of invasive breast cancer. Patients in both the GCC and AS groups will have the option of endocrine therapy. The total planned accrual goal is 1200 patients. Ethics and dissemination The COMET trial will be subject to biannual formal review at the Alliance Foundation Data Safety Monitoring Board meetings. Interim analyses for futility/safety will be completed annually, with reporting following Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines for noninferiority trials

Valoración de la satisfacción de usuarios de consulta de Enfermería en Centros de Salud a partir de indicadores de calidad técnicos y de comunicación

Objectives: To measure the satisfaction related to communication and technical aspects of the users of nursing consultation in Primary Care. Material and methods: Descriptive study conducted with patients using the nursing service Health Centers. After consultation with the staff, the patients were interviewed using two types of open and closed questions that assessed their views and satisfaction with some communication domains. Frequency distributions and exploring the differences between the two measures were explored using descriptive and inferential analysis (chi-square test, P <0.05). Open-ended questions were grouped into categories in a process of qualitative analysis involving two researchers independently. Results: 335 patients participated, 76.5% was obtained of the closed-ended satisfaction regarding the procedures used in the treatment room, and however, 26.1% of patients won’t have any suggestions or proposed changes in the open responses. To 89.1% of satisfaction with information received in closed responses, 16.1% made ​​suggestions for change in the open answers. As the nurse patient, the results were 94.2% showed satisfaction, compared to 7.5% which raised suggestions on open questions, and time used the ratio was 88.5% vs. 16.8%. Discussion and Conclusions: Most patients who consult with nurses in health centers showed satisfaction with care received, however they would like to participate more in decision making.Objetivos: Medir la satisfacción relacionada con aspectos técnicos y comunicativos de los usuarios de consulta de Enfermería en Atención Primaria.Métodos: Estudio descriptivo realizado con pacientes usuarios del Servicio de Enfermería de los Centros de Salud (CCSS) de Córdoba y provincia. Los pacientes fueron entrevistados utilizando dos tipos de preguntas, cerradas y abiertas que recogían sus opiniones y satisfacción en dominios comunicacionales como  la relación enfermera-paciente, la información recibida o el tiempo empleado;  así como los procedimientos utilizados. Análisis descriptivo e inferencial (Test de Ji-cuadrado; p<0,05). Las preguntas abiertas se agruparon en categorías en un proceso de análisis cualitativo que implicó  a dos investigadoras independientes.Resultados: Participaron 335 pacientes.  Se obtuvo un 76,5%  de satisfacción en las respuestas cerradas respecto a los procedimientos utilizados en la sala de curas, sin embargo el 26,1% de los pacientes  planteo alguna sugerencia o propuesta de cambio en las respuestas abiertas. Al 89,1% de satisfacción en información recibida en respuestas cerradas, el 16,1%  hizo sugerencias de cambio en las respuestas abiertas. En cuanto a la relación enfermera paciente, los resultados fueron  un 94,2% mostraba satisfacción, frente a un 7,5% que planteó sugerencias en preguntas abiertas, y en el tiempo empleado la relación fue de 88,5% frente al 16,8%.Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes que consultaron con Enfermería en los Centros de Salud mostraron satisfacción con la atención recibida, si bien les gustaría participar más en la toma de decisiones

Occurrence and Characteristics of ESBL- and Carbapenemase- Producing Escherichia coli from Wild and Feral Birds in Greece

Wild and feral birds are known to be involved in the maintenance and dissemination of clinically-important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli among wild and feral birds from Greece and to describe their antimicrobial resistance characteristics. In this context, fecal samples of 362 birds were collected and cultured. Subsequently, the antimicrobial resistance pheno- and geno-type of all the obtained E. coli isolates were determined. A total of 12 multidrug-resistant (MDR), ESBL-producing E. coli were recovered from eight different wild bird species. Eleven of these isolates carried a bla CTX-M-1 group gene alone or in combination with bla TEM and one carried only bla TEM . AmpC, fluoroquinolone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, aminoglycoside and macrolide resistance genes were also detected. Additionally, one carbapenemase-producing E. coli was identified, harboring bla NDM along with a combination of additional resistance genes. This report describes the occurrence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing E. coli among wild avian species in Greece, emphasizing the importance of incorporating wild birds in the assessment of AMR circulation in non-clinical settings

Amyloid-b seeding and propagation processes in a hAb-KI model of Alzheimer's disease

Recent evidence indicates that Aβ can misfold and aggregate into seeds that structurally corrupt native proteins, mimicking a prion-like process. Several studies using FAD animal models have demonstrated that intracerebral infusion of brain extracts from APP-transgenic mice or AD patients induce Aβ deposition and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. To carry out most of these Aβ-seeding studies, APP-transgenic animal have been used. Nevertheless, it remains to be elucidated whether Aβ deposition can be induced by Aβ-seeds in a sporadic AD model that does not overexpress APP and produces wild type human Aβ. We used an innovative model to better understand the amyloidogenic events that occur in sporadic AD. This hAβ-KI model, expresses wild-type human Aβ under the control of the endogenous mouse APP gene. Aβ-seeds from AD patients (stage C) from the AD Research Center (UCI) were administered into 7-8-month-old hAβ-KI and as positive controls 3xTg-AD mice were employed. We demonstrated that amyloid seeds can stimulate Aβ aggregations in 3xTg-AD and hAβ-KI models. We found that Aβ aggregates occur earlier in the 3xTg-AD vs hAβ-KI and that a longer term of treatment is necessary to accelerate diffusible Aβ pathology in the hAβ-KI mice. Thereferoe, this hAβ-KI model represents an important step towards the development of next-generation animal models that will provide better predictive outcomes for human patients. Grants support: UCI MIND Pilot project (DBV), Ministry of Science PID2019-108911RA-100 (DBV), U54 AG054349 (FML), Institute of Health Carlos III PI18/01557 (AG) co-financed by FEDER funds (European Union), NIH/NIA Grant P50 AG16573 (UCI-ADRC).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech