Hacia la restauración con Annona glabra (Annonaceae) de una selva inundable: establecimiento y crecimiento de plántulas, y cambio en la vegetación acompañante

Background and Aims: Currently, freshwater swamps are deteriorating and their cover is decreasing, mainly due to deforestation for livestock and the introduction of exotic grasses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival and the growth of Annona glabra seedlings, monitor changes in the accompanying vegetation, and estimate the cost of our experimental ecological restoration treatments in a freshwater swamp transformed into a flooded pasture and invaded by the exotic grass Echinochloa pyramidalis.Methods: The study was carried out on a floodplain surrounding a mangrove on the coast of central Veracruz, Mexico. It consisted of sowing four A. glabra seedlings in experimental quadrats exposed to different restoration techniques. Fifteen experimental restoration treatments were tested consisting of five restoration techniques (no modification, covering with plastic, planting Pontederia sagittata, soil removal, and raising the soil level), and three pretreatments applied to the seedlings planted (nursery seedlings with and without fertilizer, seedlings collected from the wetlands) in a random block design.Key results: Low seedling survival was recorded (30.7%), but this was higher for the seedlings from freshwater wetlands (41.1%). The highest percent survival was recorded where the soil was raised, followed by the soil removal technique. Regarding the vegetation, 40 species were recorded and the highest species richness was observed where the soil had been raised and where it had been removed. The Relative Importance Value was highest for Echinochloa pyramidalis, Mimosa pigra, and Annona glabra. The pretreatment of obtaining seedlings directly from the wetland was the cheapest one.Conclusions: Action is required to increase reforestation success. For future restoration projects, we recommend that the soil in the transplanting area be raised and covered with plastic before planting, to increase the probability of seedling survival and reduce grass cover. Moreover, seedlings collected from a swamp fragment should be used for reforestation.Antecedentes y Objetivos: Actualmente existe deterioro y disminución de selvas inundables debido a la deforestación para ganadería e introducción de pastos exóticos. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron evaluar el porcentaje de supervivencia de plántulas de Annona glabra, el cambio en la vegetación acompañante, y estimar los costos de los tratamientos experimentales de restauración ecológica de una selva inundable de A. glabra transformada en pastizal e invadida por el pasto exótico Echinochloa pyramidalis. Métodos: El estudio se realizó en un pastizal inundable en la costa central de Veracruz, México. Consistió en sembrar cuatro plántulas de A. glabra en cuadros experimentales expuestos a distintas técnicas de restauración. Se probaron 15 tratamientos experimentales que consistieron en cinco técnicas de restauración (sin modificación, cubierta plástica, plantación de Pontederia sagittata, remoción de suelo, y elevación del suelo) y tres pretratamientos aplicados a las plántulas sembradas (plántulas de vivero con y sin fertilizante, plántulas de selva) en un diseño de bloques al azar.Resultados clave: Se registró baja supervivencia de plántulas (30.7%), siendo mayor en plántulas de selva (41.1%). El mayor porcentaje de supervivencia se registró con la técnica de elevación del suelo, seguido de la de remoción. Se registraron 40 especies en la vegetación; la mayor riqueza específica se observó en las técnicas de elevación del nivel del suelo y remoción. Las especies con mayor Valor de Importancia Relativa fueron Echinochloa pyramidalis, Mimosa pigra y Annona glabra. El pretratamiento en el cual se obtuvieron las plántulas directamente de la selva fue el más económico.Conclusiones: Se requieren acciones para incrementar el éxito de la reforestación. Para futuros proyectos de restauración, recomendamos la elevación del suelo en áreas de transplante y cubierta de plástico previo a la plantación, para incrementar la probabilidad de supervivencia, y reducir la cobertura del pasto; además de la reforestación con plántulas colectadas de un fragmento de selva

Post-ejaculation incubation of semen as a method to alter the sex ratio of offspring obtained by artificial insemination in rabbits

In mammals, the sex ratio under natural conditions is 50% female and 50% male. However, this ratio can be altered by some methods. The application of warmth (42ºC) to the scrotum has an effect on the functioning of spermatozoa within the epididymis and modifies the sex ratio of offspring obtained through natural mating. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of post-ejaculation incubation temperature (42ºC or 30ºC) on the sex ratio of offspring obtained by artificial insemination. Each ejaculate was diluted and divided into two equal aliquots (0.5mL), one of which was incubated at 42ºC and the other at 37ºC for 30min. The sperm motility and viability at 42ºC was 87.3% and 89.4%, and at 37ºC, 88.2 and 75.5%, respectively. When artificial insemination was performed using semen incubated at 42ºC and 37ºC, 6.38, and 7.83 connies were born per litter, respectively. The sex ratio of offspring when sperm was incubated at 42ºC was 56.2% females and 43.7% males, while for semen incubated at 37ºC it was 52.6% females and 47.4% males. In conclusion, incubation of semen post ejaculation at 42ºC for 30 min could be used to favor the birth of female offspring through artificial insemination

Novel Phenobarbital-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Epilepsy Treatment: From QbD to In Vivo Evaluation

Pharmacological treatments of central nervous system diseases are always challenging due to the restrictions imposed by the blood–brain barrier: while some drugs can effectively cross it, many others, some antiepileptic drugs among them, display permeability issues to reach the site of action and exert their pharmacological effects. The development of last-generation therapeutic nanosystems capable of enhancing drug biodistribution has gained ground in the past few years. Lipid-based nanoparticles are promising systems aimed to improve or facilitate the passage of drugs through biological barriers, which have demonstrated their effectiveness in various therapeutic fields, without signs of associated toxicity. In the present work, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing the antiepileptic drug phenobarbital were designed and optimized by a quality by design approach (QbD). The optimized formulation was characterized by its entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index, and Z potential. Thermal properties were analyzed by DSC and TGA, and morphology and crystal properties were analyzed by AFM, TEM, and XRD. Drug localization and possible interactions between the drug and the formulation components were evaluated using FTIR. In vitro release kinetic, cytotoxicity on non-tumoral mouse fibroblasts L929, and in vivo anticonvulsant activity in an animal model of acute seizures were studied as well. The optimized formulation resulted in spherical particles with a mean size of ca. 178 nm and 98.2% of entrapment efficiency, physically stable for more than a month. Results obtained from the physicochemical and in vitro release characterization suggested that the drug was incorporated into the lipid matrix losing its crystalline structure after the synthesis process and was then released following a slower kinetic in comparison with the conventional immediate-release formulation. The NLC was non-toxic against the selected cell line and capable of delivering the drug to the site of action in an adequate amount and time for therapeutic effects, with no appreciable neurotoxicity. Therefore, the developed system represents a promising alternative for the treatment of one of the most prevalent neurological diseases, epilepsy.Fil: Scioli Montoto, Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Sbaraglini, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Cisneros, José Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Chain, Cecilia Yamil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Ferreti, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Leon, Ignacio Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Guillermo Raul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Islan, German Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Talevi, Alan. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, María Esperanza. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Loaded with Dexamethasone Prevent Inflammatory Responses in Primary Non-Parenchymal Liver Cells

Liver inflammation represents a major clinical problem in a wide range of pathologies. Among the strategies to prevent liver failure, dexamethasone (DXM) has been widely used to suppress inflammatory responses. The use of nanocarriers for encapsulation and sustained release of glucocorticoids to liver cells could provide a solution to prevent severe side effects associated with systemic delivery as the conventional treatment regime. Here we describe a nanostructured lipid carrier developed to efficiently encapsulate and release DXM. This nano-formulation proved to be stable over time, did not interact in vitro with plasma opsonins, and was well tolerated by primary non-parenchymal liver cells (NPCs). Released DXM preserved its pharmacological activity, as evidenced by inducing robust anti-inflammatory responses in NPCs. Taken together, nanostructured lipid carriers may constitute a reliable platform for the delivery of DXM to treat pathologies associated with chronic liver inflammation.Fil: Medina Montano, Carolina. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Rivero Berti, Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Gambaro, Rocío Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Limeres, María José. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Svensson, Malin. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Padula, Gisel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Chain, Cecilia Yamil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Cisneros, José Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Guillermo Raul. Laboratorio Max Planck de Biologia Estructural, Quimica y Biofisica Molecular de Rosario ; Centro de Estudios Interdisciplinarios ; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Grabbe, Stephan. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Bros, Matthias. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Gehring, Stephan. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; AlemaniaFil: Islan, German Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Cacicedo, Maximiliano Luis. Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; Argentin

Nanostructured lipid carriers containing benznidazole: physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and cellular in vitro studies

Chagas disease is a neglected endemic disease prevalent in Latin American countries, affecting around 8 million people. The firstline treatment, benznidazole (BNZ), is effective in the acute stage of the disease but has limited efficacy in the chronic stage, possibly because current treatment regimens do not eradicate transiently dormant Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) appear to be a promising approach for delivering pharmaceutical active ingredients as they can have a positive impact on bioavailability by modifying the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug. In this study, BNZ was successfully loaded into nanocarriers composed of myristyl myristate/Crodamol oil/poloxamer 188 prepared by ultrasonication. A stable NLC formulation was obtained, with ≈80% encapsulation efficiency (%EE) and a biphasic drug release profile with an initial burst release followed by a prolonged phase. The hydrodynamic average diameter and zeta potential of NLC obtained by dynamic light scattering were approximately 150 nm and −13 mV, respectively, while spherical and well-distributed nanoparticles were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and small-angle X-ray scattering analyses of the nanoparticles indicated that BNZ might be dispersed in the nanoparticle matrix in an amorphous state. The mean size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, and %EE of the formulation remained stable for at least six months. The hemolytic effect of the nanoparticles was insignificant compared to that of the positive lysis control. The nanoparticle formulation exhibited similar performance in vitro against T. cruzi compared to free BNZ. No formulation-related cytotoxic effects were observed on either Vero or CHO cells. Moreover, BNZ showed a 50% reduction in CHO cell viability at 125 μg/mL, whereas NLC-BNZ and non-loaded NLC did not exert a significant effect on cell viability at the same concentration. These results show potential for the development of new nanomedicines against T. cruzi.Fil: Muraca, Giuliana Sabrina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, María Esperanza. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gambaro, Rocío Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Scioli Montoto, Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Sbaraglini, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Padula, Gisel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Cisneros, José Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Chain, Cecilia Yamil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Huck Iriart, Cristián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Guillermo Raul. Universidad Federal Do Abc; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Piñero, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Marchetto, Matias Ildebrando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Alba Soto, Catalina Dirney. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Islan, German Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Talevi, Alan. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencas Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Participatory rainfall monitoring: strengthening hydrometeorological risk management and community resilience in Peru

Heavy rainfall, floods and debris flow on the Rimac river watershed are recurring events that impact Peruvian people in vulnerable situations.There are few historical records, in terms of hydrometeorological variables, with sufficient temporal and spatial accuracy. As a result, Early Warning Systems (EWS) efficiency, dealing with these hazards, is critically limited. In order to tackle this challenge, among other objectives, the Participatory Monitoring Network (Red de Monitoreo Participativo or Red MoP, in spanish) was formed: an alternative monitoring system supported by voluntary community collaboration of local population under a citizen science approach. This network collects and communicates data captured with standardized manual rain gauges (< 3USD). So far, it covers districts in the east metropolitan area of the capital city of Lima, on dense peri-urban areas, districts on the upper Rimac watershed on rural towns, and expanding to other upper watersheds as well. Initially led by Practical Action as part of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, it is now also supported by SENAMHI (National Meteorological and Hydrological Service) and INICTEL-UNI (National Telecommunications Research and Training Institute), as an activity of the National EWS Network (RNAT)

Fertilidade de ovelhas Katahdin inseminadas laparoscopicamente com sêmen refrigerado ou criopreservado nos trópicos

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la fertilidad seminal y taza de preñes en un hato de ovinos katahdin mediante inseminación laparoscópica con semen refrigerado y congelado en ambiente tropical, fueron utilizados el reproductor y veinte vientres de la raza katahdin. Se realizaron dos evaluaciones para valorar la calidad del semen de acuerdo con sus características macroscópicas y microscópicas y las hembras fueron sincronizadas con dispositivos intravaginales con 0.3 g de progesterona natural (CIDR®, Zoetis), más una dosis de 400 UI de gonadotropina coriónica humana (GCH). La fertilidad fue mayor (p&lt; 0,05) (30% de preñez) en borregas inseminadas con semen congelado, comparada al 20% de preñez en las inseminadas con semen frío. Las variables de fertilidad seminal evaluadas demostraron que el semen en el semental katahdin en ambiente tropical fue de buena calidad para su manipulación en la práctica de la inseminación artificial. El grupo racial de los animales utilizados respondieron satisfactoriamente a la sincronización y el semen estuvo dentro de los parámetros establecidos para la especie además toleró la manipulación, en cuanto a la inseminación por laparoscopía, es una técnica de cruzamiento poco diseminada en la región, sin embargo, el estudio desarrollado sugiere mayor investigación para aportar conocimientos suficientes para fortalecer el procedimiento y con ello incrementar la concepción en ovejas servidasThe objective of the study was to compare the semen fertility and pregnancy rate in a katahdin sheep herd by laparoscopic insemination with refrigerated and frozen semen in a tropical environment. The breeder and twenty bellies of the katahdin breed were used. Two evaluations were performed to assess the quality of the semen according to its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and the females were synchronized with intravaginal devices with 0.3 g of natural progesterone (CIDR®, Zoetis), plus a dose of 400 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Fertility was higher (p&lt; 0.05) (30% pregnancy) in ewes inseminated with frozen semen, compared to 20% pregnancy in those inseminated with cold semen. The evaluated seminal fertility variables demonstrated that the semen in katahdin stallions in a tropical environment is of good quality for handling in the practice of artificial insemination. It is concluded that the breed group of the animals used responded satisfactorily to the synchronization and the semen was within the parameters established for the species, it also tolerated the manipulation, in terms of insemination by laparoscopy, it is a crossbreeding technique that is not widely disseminated in the region however, the study developed suggests further research to provide sufficient knowledge to strengthen the procedure and thereby increase conception in ewes bred.O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a fertilidade seminal e a taxa de prenhez em um rebanho de ovelhas katahdin por meio de inseminação laparoscópica com sêmen refrigerado e congelado em ambiente tropical, foram utilizados o reprodutor e vinte úteros da raça katahdin. Foram realizadas duas avaliações para avaliar a qualidade do sêmen de acordo com suas características macroscópicas e microscópicas, e as fêmeas foram sincronizadas com dispositivos intravaginais com 0,3 g de progesterona natural (CIDR®, Zoetis), mais uma dose de 400 UI de gonadotrofina coriônica humana (HCG) . A fertilidade foi maior (p&lt; 0,05) (30% de prenhez) em ovelhas inseminadas com sêmen congelado, em comparação com 20% de prenhez naquelas inseminadas com sêmen frio. As variáveis ​​de fertilidade seminal avaliadas demonstraram que o sêmen do garanhão katahdin em ambiente tropical era de boa qualidade para sua manipulação na prática da inseminação artificial. O grupo racial dos animais utilizados respondeu satisfatoriamente à sincronização e o sêmen estava dentro dos parâmetros estabelecidos para a espécie, também tolerou a manipulação, no que diz respeito à inseminação por laparoscopia, é uma técnica de cruzamento pouco difundida na região, porém , o estudo desenvolvido sugere novas pesquisas para fornecer conhecimento suficiente para fortalecer o procedimento e, assim, aumentar a concepção em ovelhas criadas

The Sail-Backed Reptile Ctenosauriscus from the Latest Early Triassic of Germany and the Timing and Biogeography of the Early Archosaur Radiation

Background Archosaurs (birds, crocodilians and their extinct relatives including dinosaurs) dominated Mesozoic continental ecosystems from the Late Triassic onwards, and still form a major component of modern ecosystems (>10,000 species). The earliest diverse archosaur faunal assemblages are known from the Middle Triassic (c. 244 Ma), implying that the archosaur radiation began in the Early Triassic (252.3–247.2 Ma). Understanding of this radiation is currently limited by the poor early fossil record of the group in terms of skeletal remains. Methodology/Principal Findings We redescribe the anatomy and stratigraphic position of the type specimen of Ctenosauriscus koeneni (Huene), a sail-backed reptile from the Early Triassic (late Olenekian) Solling Formation of northern Germany that potentially represents the oldest known archosaur. We critically discuss previous biomechanical work on the ‘sail’ of Ctenosauriscus, which is formed by a series of elongated neural spines. In addition, we describe Ctenosauriscus-like postcranial material from the earliest Middle Triassic (early Anisian) Röt Formation of Waldhaus, southwestern Germany. Finally, we review the spatial and temporal distribution of the earliest archosaur fossils and their implications for understanding the dynamics of the archosaur radiation. Conclusions/Significance Comprehensive numerical phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that both Ctenosauriscus and the Waldhaus taxon are members of a monophyletic grouping of poposauroid archosaurs, Ctenosauriscidae, characterised by greatly elongated neural spines in the posterior cervical to anterior caudal vertebrae. The earliest archosaurs, including Ctenosauriscus, appear in the body fossil record just prior to the Olenekian/Anisian boundary (c. 248 Ma), less than 5 million years after the Permian–Triassic mass extinction. These earliest archosaur assemblages are dominated by ctenosauriscids, which were broadly distributed across northern Pangea and which appear to have been the first global radiation of archosaurs

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P &lt; 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men