Assessment of targeted selective treatment criteria to control subclinical gastrointestinal nematode infections on sheep farms

Control of sheep gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections mostly relies on the use of anthelmintics. Refugia-based control strategies as targeted selective treatments (TST) can delay anthelmintic resistance development, but the optimal decision criteria for selecting individuals to be treated in subclinical infection scenarios remain unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the suitability of body condition score (BCS) and faecal egg counts (FEC) as treatment indicators and to determine their optimized threshold values for treatment in TST by determining the relationships of BCS, FEC and anthelmintic treatment with several productive parameters in pre-mating and pre-partum periods at an individual level. Deworming in pre-mating period increased BCS gain, but its magnitude was directly associated with strongyle FEC before treatment. Deworming also increased fertility in ewes with BCS 400 epg before treatment. These results showed that FEC and especially BCS can be potential decision criteria for the implementation of TST in these types of scenarios. The TST scheme derived from the present results on the control of GIN infections should include anthelmintic treatment of ewes with BCS lower than ˜ 3 approximately five weeks before mating and lambing. In the pre-lambing period, treatment may be unnecessary if flock mean strongyle FEC is lower than ˜ 200 epg, as the proportion of ewes with individual FEC > 400 epg would be very low. The results suggest that implementation of this TST scheme would provide benefits, such as the improvement of productivity, a rational management of parasites in refugia, and preservation of future efficacy of anthelmintics, in comparison to traditional deworming schemes

Formulación numérica en elementos finitos de problemas de flujo multifásico no isotermo y transporte de solutos reactivos en medios porosos

En este artículo se presenta la formulación numérica del flujo multifásico no isotermo y del transporte reactivo de un sistema multicomponente de solutos en condiciones no isotermas. El modelo numérico ha sido implementado en un código (FADES-CORE c ?) el cual ha sido verificado y validado. En este artículo se describe el esquema de resolución utilizado y las distintas variantes del mismo. Para la discretización temporal se ha formulado un algoritmo de optimización del paso de tiempo autom´atico. Por último se incluye un ejemplo de validación del correcto funcionamiento del modelo.Peer Reviewe

Integrin-Linked Kinase Expression in Human Valve Endothelial Cells Plays a Protective Role in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is highly prevalent during aging. CAVD initiates with endothelial dysfunction, leading to lipid accumulation, inflammation, and osteogenic transformation. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) participates in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, ILK role in CAVD is unknown. First, we determined that ILK expression is downregulated in aortic valves from patients with CAVD compared to non-CAVD, especially at the valve endothelium, and negatively correlated with calcification markers. Silencing ILK expression in human valve endothelial cells (siILK-hVECs) induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and promoted a switch to an osteoblastic phenotype; SiILK-hVECs expressed increased RUNX2 and developed calcified nodules. siILK-hVECs exhibited decreased NO production and increased nitrosative stress, suggesting valvular endothelial dysfunction. NO treatment of siILK-hVECs prevented VEC transdifferentiation, while treatment with an eNOS inhibitor mimicked ILK-silencing induction of EndMT. Accordingly, NO treatment inhibited VEC calcification. Mechanistically, siILK-hVECs showed increased Smad2 phosphorylation, suggesting a TGF-β-dependent mechanism, and NO treatment decreased Smad2 activation and RUNX2. Experiments performed in eNOS KO mice confirmed the involvement of the ILK-eNOS signaling pathway in valve calcification, since aortic valves from these animals showed decreased ILK expression, increased RUNX2, and calcification. Our study demonstrated that ILK endothelial expression participates in human CAVD development by preventing endothelial osteogenic transformationpost-print4615 K

Psichometrics properties of Psychological Dating Violence Questionnaire: A study with young couples / Propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Violencia Psicológica en el Cortejo: un estudio con parejas jóvenes

Abstract: This instrumental study examines the psychometric properties of the Psychological Dating Violence Questionnaire (PDV-Q). The scale was developed with the aim of evaluating subtle and overt psychological abuse among dating couples, and its possible bi-directionality in the implication as victim and as aggressor. A sample group of 670 heterosexual university students (62.8% women), aged between 19 and 25 years old (M = 22; SD = 1.78), took part in the study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a satisfactory index of reliability with two different scales: Victimization and Aggression. The external validity was checked with a physical violence measure (modified Conflict Tactic Scale-2). The results indicated a significant but low correlation between psychological and physical scales. The PDV-Q joins dating and intimate violence instruments potentialities and tries to overcome their limitations. It includes a wide range of violent behaviours and it is adapted to specific characteristics from young couples. Resumen: Este estudio instrumental presenta las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Violencia Psicológica en el Cortejo (PDV-Q). El cuestionario se diseñó con el objetivo de evaluar el abuso psicológico sutil y manifiesto presente en parejas de jóvenes universitarios y su posible bidireccionalidad en la implicación como víctima y como agresor. Se contó con una muestra de 670 estudiantes universitarios heterosexuales (62,8% mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 19 y 25 años (M = 22; DT = 1,78). Los análisis exploratorios y confirmatorios mostraron índices de fiabilidad satisfactorios con dos escalas, Victimización y Agresión. La validez externa fue evaluada con la violencia psicológica, medida a través de una versión modificada del Conflict Tactic Scale-2. Los resultados mostraron correlaciones significativas, aunque bajas, entre las escalas de violencia psicológica y física. El PDV-Q aúna las potencialidades de los instrumentos de cortejo y los de violencia en la pareja marital, salvando las principales dificultades recogidas. Incluye un amplio rango de comportamientos violentos, adaptándolos a las características concretas de las parejas jóvenes

Improved sampling and DNA extraction procedures for microbiome analysis in food-processing environments

[EN] Deep investigation of the microbiome of food-production and foodprocessing environments through whole-metagenome sequencing (WMS) can provide detailed information on the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the microbial communities that inhabit them, with huge potential benefits for environmental monitoring programs. However, certain technical challenges jeopardize the application of WMS technologies with this aim, with the most relevant one being the recovery of a sufficient amount of DNA from the frequently low-biomass samples collected from the equipment, tools and surfaces of food-processing plants. Here, we present the first complete workflow, with optimized DNA-purification methodology, to obtain high-quality WMS sequencing results from samples taken from food-production and food-processing environments and reconstruct metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs). The protocol can yield DNA loads >10 ng in >98% of samples and >500 ng in 57.1% of samples and allows the collection of, on average, 12.2 MAGs per sample (with up to 62 MAGs in a single sample) in ~1 week, including both laboratory and computational work. This markedly improves on results previously obtained in studies performing WMS of processing environments and using other protocols not specifically developed to sequence these types of sample, in which <2 MAGs per sample were obtained. The full protocol has been developed and applied in the framework of the European Union project MASTER (Microbiome applications for sustainable food systems through technologies and enterprise) in 114 food-processing facilities from different production sectors.SIThis work was funded by the European Commission under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 818368 (MASTER). C.B. is grateful to Junta de Castilla y León and the European Social Fund for awarding her a pre-doctoral grant (BOCYL-D-07072020-6). A.P. is grateful to Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación for awarding her a pre-doctoral grant (PRE2021-098910). N.M.Q. is currently funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 101034371. We thank AV Star Systems for their role in creating the Supplementary Video, and M. Coakley and S. Mortensen for their help in its preparation

Bariatric surgery: evidence-based practical recommendations

[Resumen] La obesidad mórbida es, habitualmente, refractaria a los tratamientos convencionales, por lo que la modificación de hábitos dietéticos y de actividad física y/o el uso de fármacos consiguen pérdidas de peso parciales con habitual recuperación posterior. La cirugía bariátrica constituye una opción terapéutica para los casos de obesidad con elevado índice de masa corporal (IMC) asociada a comorbilidades, con buenos resultados a corto y largo plazo. El Grupo de Trabajo sobre Obesidad de la Sociedad Española de Endocrinología y Nutrición (GOSEEN) ha elaborado un documento con recomendaciones prácticas basadas en la evidencia para el tratamiento quirúrgico de la obesidad. La revisión se estructura en 3 partes. En la primera se definen los conceptos de obesidad y comorbilidades asociadas, los tratamientos médicos y sus resultados, las indicaciones y contraindicaciones para el tratamiento quirúrgico con los criterios de selección de los pacientes, el manejo pre y perioperatorio y la valoración de grupos especiales, como adolescentes y personas de edad avanzada. En la segunda parte se describen las distintas técnicas quirúrgicas, las vías de acceso y los resultados comparativos, las complicaciones tanto a corto como a largo plazo, la repercusión de la pérdida ponderal sobre las comorbilidades y los criterios para evaluar la efectividad de la cirugía. En la tercera parte se desarrolla el seguimiento postoperatorio, el control dietético en fases tempranas y más tardías tras la cirugía, y el calendario de control médico y analítico con la suplementación de los distintos macro y micronutrientes en función de la técnica quirúrgica empleada. Se incluye un apartado final sobre gestación y cirugía bariátrica, así como tablas y gráficos complementarios al texto desarrollado. La cirugía bariátrica sigue siendo un tratamiento discutido para la obesidad, pero los resultados en la corrección del exceso ponderal con mejoría en las patologías asociadas y en la calidad de vida confirman que puede ser el tratamiento de elección en pacientes seleccionados, con la técnica quirúrgica apropiada y con un correcto control pre y postoperatorio.[Abstract] Morbid obesity is usually refractory to conventional treatments. Consequently, weight that is lost by modifying diet and exercise and/or the use of drugs is usually later regained. Bariatric surgery constitutes a therapeutic option in obese patients with a high body mass index associated with comorbidities and achieves good results in both the short and the long term. The Obesity Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition has produced a document with practical, evidencebased recommendations for the surgical treatment of obesity. The review is structured in three parts. The first part defines the concepts of obesity and associated comorbidities, medical treatments, their results, and the indications and contraindications for surgical treatment, as well as the criteria for patient selection, pre- and perisurgical management, and assessment of special groups such as adolescents and the elderly. The second part discusses the different surgical techniques, approaches and comparative results, short- and long-term complications, the repercussions of weight loss on comorbidities, and the criteria for assessing the effectiveness of surgery. The third part discusses postsurgical follow-up, dietary control in the early and subsequent stages after surgery and the schedule for medical and laboratory follow-up, together with the different macro- and micronutrient supplements that should be used depending on the surgical technique employed. A final section is included on pregnancy and bariatric surgery, as well as tables and figures that complement the text. Although bariatric surgery continues to be a questionable treatment for obesity, the results correcting excess weight, with improvements in associated comorbidities and in quality of life, confirm that this option could be the treatment of choice in selected patients when the appropriate surgical technique and correct preand postoperative follow-up are employed

Plan de mejora inmediata del ganado vacuno : estudio sobre la instalación de industrias derivadas

Precede ó tít.: "Congreso Agrícola de Galicia. Ponencia Provincial núm. 4"Na parte sup. da capa consta: "Jefatura Provincial del Movimiento. La Coruña"Ed. tomado da contracapaData estimada pola do Congres

Estudio del metabolismo de carbohidratos de subespecies de Bifidobacterium longum para su aislamiento diferencial

Resumen trabajo presentado en el XII Workshop Sociedad Española de Microbiota, Probióticos y Prebióticos (SEMiPyP) y I Congreso Sociedad Iberoamericana de Microbiota, Probióticos y Prebióticos (SIAMPYP), celebrado de forma virtual del 15 al 18 de septiembre de 2021Introducción/objetivos: Bifidobacterium longum es una de las especies beneficiosas más abundantes en la microbiota intestinal, que posee diferentes subespecies como B. longum subsp. longum y B. longum subsp. infantis cuyo metabolismo de carbohidratos les otorga una ventaja a la hora de colonizar el intestino humano. En este sentido, B. longum subsp. longum es capaz de metabolizar carbohidratos vegetales complejos. Por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar las actividades glicosidasas codificadas en genomas de B. longum para diseñar un medio de cultivo específico que permita diferenciar estas dos subespecies. Metodología: en primer lugar, se realizó un estudio in silico donde se construyeron mapas metabólicos con 707 genomas de bifidobacterias incluidas en la lista QPS de la EFSA (B. adolescentis, B. animalis, B. bifidum, B. breve, y B. longum (subespecies infantis y longum), además de 320 genomas de otras especies presentes en la microbiota intestinal humana (B. angulatum, B. catenulatum, B. dentium, B. faecale, B. gallicum, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. scardovii). Las secuencias se compararon con la base de datos CAZy. Posteriormente, se realizó un estudio in vitro donde se prepararon medios de cultivo con arabinoxilanos y arabinoxilo-oligosacáridos como única fuente de carbono, y se estudió el crecimiento diferencial de varias cepas previamente clasificadas como B. longum subsp. infantis o B. longum subsp. longum. Resultados: la mayoría de las especies QPS presentaron similitudes en su metabolismo de carbohidratos. La presencia de dominios de glicosidasas que actúan sobre xilanos y arabinoxilanos fue mayor en B. longum subsp. longum que en B. longum subsp. infantis. Estos resultados se verificaron experimentalmente, observándose que la presencia de arabinoxilanos y arabinoxilo-oligosacáridos posibilita el crecimiento diferencial de B. longum subsp. longum. Conclusiones: el uso de medios suplementados con arabinoxilanos y arabinoxilo-oligosacáridos permite aislar diferencialmente las subespecies B. longum subsp. longum y B. longum subsp. infantis