TRIGLYCERIDES AND CHOLESTEROL SERUM LEVELS IN PERUVIAN PASO HORSES UNDER TWO REARING SYSTEMS

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar los niveles de triglicéridos (TG), colesterol total (CT) y fraccionado en caballos peruanos de paso (CPP) de la Región Lambayeque. Se analizaron sueros de 50 CPP (25 sedentarios, 25 activos). Los TG y CT se determinaron con el uso de kits comerciales, mientras que las lipoproteínas HDL-C y LDL-C se determinaron después de precipitación selectiva con polímeros precipitantes selectivos (sulfato de dextrán, Mg++). Las VLDL-C se calcularon restando al CT los valores de HDL-C + LDL-C. Los niveles promedio fueron de 25.69 mg/dl para TG, 108.71 mg/dl para CT, 66.55 mg/dl para HDL-C, 21.38 mg/dl para LDL-C, y 20.78 mg/dl para VLDLC. Los valores séricos de HDL-C en CPP activos fueron estadísticamente superiores que en los sedentarios (p<0.01), en tanto que los valores de TG fueron inferiores en caballos castrados en comparación con las yeguas (p<0.05). Los CPP sedentarios tuvieron niveles menores de HDL-C que los activos, aunque estos últimos tienen menor riesgo aterogénico; sin embargo, tanto caballos activos como sedentarios son poco susceptibles a sufrir hipertrigliceridemia.The objective of the study was to compare the level of triglycerides (TG), totalcholesterol (TC) and its fractions (VLDC-C, LDL-C and HDL-C) in blood serum of PeruvianPaso Horses (CPP) in the Lambayeque Region. Serum of 50 CPP animals (25 sedentaryand 25 active) were analyzed. TG and TC levels were determined using commercial kits,whereas HDL-C and LDL-C were determined using selective polymer precipitants (dextransulphate, Mg++). VLDL-C was calculated by subtracting HDL-C + LDL-C values from TClevels. Mean values were 25.69 mg/dl for TG, 108.71 mg/dl for TC, 66.55 mg/dl for HDL-C,21.38 mg/dl for LDL-C, and 20.78 mg/dl for VLDL-C. HDL-C serum values in active CPPanimals were statistically higher than in sedentary horses (p<0.01), whereas TG values were statistically lower in castrated horses as compared to mares (p<0.05). Sedentary horses registered lower levels of HDL-C as compared with active animals, but the latter have lesser atherogenic risk; however, both active and sedentary horses have low susceptibility to get hypertrigliceridemia

Thermohaline evolution of the Western Mediterranean Deep Waters since 2005: diffusive stages and interannual renewal injections

A large production of anomalous dense water in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea during winter 2005 led to a widespread abrupt shift in Western Mediterranean deep waters characteristics. This new configuration, the so-called Western Mediterranean Transition (WMT), involved a complex thermohaline structure that was tracked over time through a deep hydrographic station located NE of Minorca Island, sampled 37 times between 2004 and 2017. In this study, the thermohaline evolution of the WMT signal is analyzed in detail. Using a 1-D diffusion model sensitive to double-diffusive mixing phenomena, the contribution to the heat and salt budgets of the deep Western Mediterranean in terms of ventilation and diffusive transference from the intermediate layers above is disentangled. Results show distinct stages in the evolution of the deep waters, driven by background diffusion and intermittent injections of new waters. The progression of a multilayered structure in the deep ocean is well represented through existing parameterizations of salt fingering and diffusive layering processes and makes it possible to infer an independent estimate of regional background diffusivity consistent with current knowledge. Overall, the deep layers of the Western Mediterranean underwent substantial warming (0.059 °C) and salt increase (0.021) between 2004 and 2017, mostly dominated by injections of dense waters in the 2005–2006 and 2011–2013 periods. Thus, within the WMT period, heat uptake rate in the deep Western Mediterranean was substantially higher than that of the intermediate levels in the global ocean.CTM2014‐54374‐R / BES‐2015‐074316Versión del editor3,17

COMPARISON OF PLAIN RADIOGRAPHY AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF TYPE 1 DISC HERNIATION IN DOGS

Los objetivos del estudio fueron describir los hallazgos radiológicos de la radiografía simple en animales con sospecha de hernia discal y establecer su coincidencia con aquellos del examen tomográfico. Se estudiaron 16 pacientes caninos cuya evaluación neurológica reveló una disfunción neurológica compatible a una compresión medular toracolumbar y una magnitud de lesión de grado III o superior. Dos pacientes no presentaron sospecha de diagnóstico de hernia discal en las dos pruebas y fueron retirados. La radiografía simple identificó 14 animales con signos radiográficos compatibles a una hernia discal. De estos, el 71.4% (10/14) de los resultados de los exámenes radiográficos y tomográficos fueron coincidentes en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y la localización del espacio intervertebral afectado. Los signos radiográficos más frecuentes en los animales sospechosos a hernia discal tipo 1 por radiografía simple fueron la disminución del espacio intervertebral (13/14), disminución del foramen intervertebral (8/14) y opacidad del foramen intervertebral (4/14). Los hallazgos tomográficos de mayor presentación en los animales con hernia discal tipo 1 fueron la presencia de material discal en el canal medular (12/12), estenosis del canal medular (12/12) y la estenosis del espacio foraminal (8/12). El espacio intervertebral más afectado del segmento toracolumbar fue el L1-L2 (4/12). Se concluye que la radiografía simple no puede ser considerada como indicativo absoluto en el diagnóstico de hernia discal tipo 1 y, por lo tanto, es necesario complementar el diagnóstico con un examen tomográfico.The objectives of the study were to describe the radiologic findings of plain radiography in animals with suspected herniated disc and to establish coincidences with the computed tomography (CT) examination. Sixteen dogs were studied, whose neurological evaluation revealed a neurological dysfunction compatible with thoracolumbar spinal cord compression and a magnitude of injury of grade III or higher. Two patients failed to show signs of disc herniation in both tests and were withdrawn from the study. Plain radiographies identified 14 animals with radiographic abnormalities consistent with a herniated disc. In 71.4% (10/14) of these cases, the results between radiographic and CT examinations coincided in the diagnosis of the presence of the disease and location of the affected intervertebral space. The radiographic findings most common in animals suspected to herniated disc type 1 were narrowed intervertebral space (13/14), decreased size intervertebral foramen (8/14) and opacity of the intervertebral foramen (4/14). The most common CT findings in animals with herniated disc type 1 were the presence of disc material in the spinal canal (12/12), spinal canal stenosis (12/12), and the foraminal space stenosis (8/12). The intervertebral space most affected thoracolumbar segment was the L1-L2 (4/12). The results show that plain radiography cannot be regarded as an absolute indicator in the diagnosis of type 1 disc herniation, and it should be complemented with a CT examination

CHARACTERIZATION OF NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZER REGIONS IN CELLS OF TRANSMISSIBLE VENEREAL TUMOR IN CANINE: HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

El objetivo del presente estudio fue visualizar y caracterizar las Regiones Organizadoras Nucleolares Argénticas (AgNORs) en células neoplásicas del tumor venéreo transmisible (TVT) de caninos a través de la impregnación con nitrato de plata. Se trabajó con una muestra tomada al azar de tejido parafinado de 30 caninos diagnosticados histológicamente (con coloración de Hematoxilina y Eosina) como TVT canino entre el 2000 al 2006. En 100 células por muestra se visualizó la presencia y ubicación de los AgNORs en las células neoplásicas. Se encontró un número medio de AgNORs por célula de 1.53, por núcleo de 0.91 y por nucléolo de 0.62. La distribución de los AgNORs en el total de células evaluadas fue de 60.7% (1821/3000) en el núcleo, 34.3% (1029/3000) en el nucléolo y 5% (150/3000) en ambas estructuras.The objective of the present study was to visualize and characterize the Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNORs) in Cells of Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) in the canine through the impregnation with silver nitrate. One sample was collected at random from paraffin tissue of 30 canine tissue samples that were histological diagnosed (using Hematoxylin and Eosin stain) as TVT during the period of 2000-2006. The AgNORs were visualized and localized in 100 cells per sample. The average number of AgNORs per cell was 1.53, per cell nucleus was 90.91 and per nucleolus was 0.62. The distribution of AgNORs in the total number of cells was 60.7% (1821/ 3000) in the nucleus, 34.3% (1029/3000) in the nucleolus, and 5% (150/3000) in both structures

Ground Calcium Carbonate as a Low Cost and Biosafety Excipient for Solubility and Dissolution Improvement of Praziquantel

Calcium carbonate is an abundant mineral with several advantages to be a successful carrier to improve oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as praziquantel. Praziquantel is an antiparasitic drug classified in group II of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System hence characterized by high-permeability and low-solubility. Therefore, the dissolution rate is the limiting factor for the gastrointestinal absorption that contributes to the low bioavailability. Consequently, the therapeutic dose of the praziquantel must be high and big tablets and capsules are required, which are difficult to swallow, especially for pediatric and elderly patients. Mixtures of praziquantel and calcium carbonate using solid-solid physical mixtures and solid dispersions were prepared and characterized using several techniques (X-ray diffraction differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, laser diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies). Solubility of these formulations evidenced that the solubility of praziquantel-calcium carbonate interaction product increased in physiological media. In vitro dissolution tests showed that the interaction product increased the dissolution rate of the drug in acidic medium. Theoretical models were studied to understand this experimental behavior. Cytotoxicity and cell cycle studies were performed, showing that praziquantel-calcium carbonate physical mixture and interaction product were biocompatible with the HTC116 cells, because it did not produce a decrease in cell viability or alterations in the cell cycle.We also acknowledge for financial support the MINECO, for projects FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P and CGL2016-80833-R, and the Andalusian government, for project RNM1897

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography Observing System around N and NW Iberia

In the late 80's, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) began some ambitious programs of monitoring around the Iberian Peninsula. The coastal observing system core structure was the Radiales program, a series of transects nearby most coastal IEO laboratories where a minimum set of hydrographical, chemical and biological parameters is sampled monthly. The sections are designed to be completed in one-day journeys so the system is supported by quite small vessels, mainly covering the continental shelf with the noteworthy exception of the Santander Section, where the proximity of the shelf-break allows sampling deep waters monthly. During the last 20 years the program has supported many specific scientific research projects and has created a detailed description of seasonal to interannual variability in the coastal ecosystem that serves as a baseline to explore long-term changes or trends...Versión de auto

Ciprofloxacin carrier systems based on hectorite/halloysite hybrid hydrogels for potential wound healing applications

The design of multifunctional nanomaterials which can help the healing processes of skin, preventing the bacterial infections, is crucial for the development of suitable therapy for the treatment of chronic lesions. The use of clay minerals in wound healing applications is well documented since the prehistoric period and offers several advantages due to their intrinsic properties. Herein, we report the development of ciprofloxacin carrier systems based on hectorite/halloysite (Ht/Hal) hybrid hydrogels for potential wound healing applications. To achieve this objective firstly the ciprofloxacin molecules were loaded onto Hal by a supramolecular and covalent approach. The so obtained fillers were thoroughly investigated by several techniques and at molecular level by means of quantum mechanics calculations along with empirical interatomic potentials. Afterwards the modified Hal were used as filler for Ht hydrogels. The introduction of modified Hal, in hectorite hydrogel, helps the gel formation with an improvement of the rheological properties. The in vitro kinetic release from both the fillers and from the hybrid hydrogels was studied both at skin's pH (5.4) and under neutral conditions (pH 7.4); in addition, the factors controlling the ciprofloxacin release process were determined and discussed. Finally, the in vitro biocompatibility of the Hal fillers was evaluated by means of cytotoxic assays and laser scanning confocal microscopy on normal human dermal fibroblasts.The work was carried out in the frame of the PON “AIM: Attrazione e Mobilità Internazionale” No. 1808223-1 project. Authors are thankful to H.A. Duarte for providing atomic coordinates of halloysite, to the CSIC Computational Center and the University of Granada Computation Center for computation facilities, and the Andalusian project grants RNM-1897 and P18-RT-3786 , and the Spanish MINECO projects , PCIN-2017-098 , FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P and CGL2016-80833-R , for the financial support of this research

RETROSPECTIVE CASE CONTROL STUDY OF CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS AT THE VETERINARY FACULTY OF UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL MAYOR DE SAN MARCOS: 2002-2005 PERIOD

La ehrlichiosis canina es reconocida como una enfermedad infecciosa importante de distribución mundial y potencialmente mortal de los perros y otros miembros de la familia Canidae. Es ocasionada por Ehrlichia canis y transmitida por la garrapata marrón del perro Rhipicephalus sanguineus. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar un estudio retrospectivo de tipo caso-control para evaluar los factores de riesgo asociados a la presentación de ehrlichiosis canina en pacientes de la Clínica de Animales Menores y del Laboratorio de Patología Clínica de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la UNMSM. Con este fin se utilizaron datos de historias clínicas entre los años 2002-2005, de los cuales se consiguieron tanto los casos (caninos con ehrlichiosis: n=50) como los controles (caninos sin ehrlichiosis: n=100). Los datos recolectados fueron agrupados según raza, sexo, edad, historia de garrapatas y lugar de origen, y fueron analizados mediante la prueba de Chi Cuadrado para determinar la asociación entre las variables. Se estimaron los odds ratios (OR) crudo y ajustado para cuantificar el grado de riesgo de las variables en estudio. De los casos, el 50% fue de raza grande, 72% fueron machos, el 68% fue mayor de 2 años y el 82% tuvo historia de infestación por garrapatas. Los factores de riesgo asociados con la enfermedad fueron razas grandes (OR=12.8, p=0.024), raza Pastor alemán (OR=12.2, p<0.01), edad (³2-4 años: OR= 4.0, p=0.008) e historia de garrapatas [82% (48/50) para los casos y 1% (1/100) para los controles].Canine ehrlichiosis is a worldwide well known infectious disease and potentially lethal to dogs and other members of the Canidae family. It is caused by Ehrlichia canis and transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The aim of this work was to carry out a retrospective case-control study in order to evaluate the risk factors associated with the presence of canine ehrlichiosis in dogs that have been patients at the Clinic of Small Animals and at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of the Veterinary Faculty, San Marcos University, Lima. For this purpose, cases (dogs with ehrlichiosis: n=50) as well as controls (dogs without ehrlichiosis: n=100) from clinical records in the period of 2002-2005 were used. Data was grouped by breed, sex, age, history of tick presence, and home location. Chi square, odds ratio (OR), and logistic regressions were performed. Among the cases, 50% were of large breeds, 72% were males, 64% were ³2 years old, and 82% had ticks. The risk factors associated with the disease were large breeds (OR=12.8, p=0.024), German Shepherd dog (OR=12.2, p<0.01), age (³2-4 years: OR= 4.0, p=0.008) and tick history [82% (48/50) for the cases and 1% (1/100) for the controls]

Soils in warmer and less developed countries have less micronutrients globally

Soil micronutrients are capital for the delivery of ecosystem functioning and food provision worldwide. Yet, despite their importance, the global biogeography and ecological drivers of soil micronutrients remain virtually unknown, limiting our capacity to anticipate abrupt unexpected changes in soil micronutrients in the face of climate change. Here, we analyzed >1300 topsoil samples to examine the global distribution of six metallic micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co and Ni) across all continents, climates and vegetation types. We found that warmer arid and tropical ecosystems, present in the least developed countries, sustain the lowest contents of multiple soil micronutrients. We further provide evidence that temperature increases may potentially result in abrupt and simultaneous reductions in the content of multiple soil micronutrients when a temperature threshold of 12–14°C is crossed, which may be occurring on 3% of the planet over the next century. Altogether, our findings provide fundamental understanding of the global distribution of soil micronutrients, with direct implications for the maintenance of ecosystem functioning, rangeland management and food production in the warmest and poorest regions of the planet.The sampling included in this study were supported by the European Research Council (ERC) grant 647038 (BIODESERT), the BES grant agreement No. LRB17\1019 (MUSGONET) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement 702057 (CLIMIFUN). We would like to thank the researchers originally involved in the BIODESERT, CLIMIFUN and MUSGONET projects for their help with samplings. E.M.-J. acknowledges the Humboldt Foundation for supporting his research stay in Germany (Fellowship for Experienced Researchers) and a project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-116578RB-I00). M.D.-B. is supported by a Ramón y Cajal grant (RYC2018-025483-I), a project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-115813RA-I00) and a project PAIDI 2020 from the Junta de Andalucía (P20_00879). E.G. is supported by the Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital de la Generalitat Valenciana, and the European Social Fund grant APOSTD/2021/188 and European Research Council (ERC) grant 647038. F.T.M. is supported by European Research Council (ERC) grant 647038 and Generalitat Valenciana grant CIDEGENT/2018/041. M.D. and T.W.C. were funded by the Marc R. Benioff Revocable Trust and in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. This article is part of the contract between ETH Zurich and University of Alicante “Mapping terrestrial ecosystem structure at the global scale”. R.O.H. is supported by the Ramón y Cajal program from the MICINN (RYC-2017 22032), a PAIDI 2020 project from the Junta de Andalucía (Ref. 20_00323) and a project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-106004RA-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). Authors acknowledge support by the Open Access Publication Initiative of Freie Universität Berlin. Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL