Risk factors for the presence of Fasciola hepatica antibodies in bulk-milk samples and their association with milk production decreases, in Cuban dairy cattle

Background: Worldwide, Fasciola hepatica infection causes high production losses in the livestock industry. Recently, studies have analyzed the association between measurements of F. hepatica infection intensity and herd management practices. The aim of the present study, the first of its kind in a subtropical region, was to evaluate associations between F. hepatica bulk-tank milk ELISA results with herd management factors and milk yield in dairy herds, in Camaguey, Cuba. The SVANOVIR (R) F. hepatica-AB ELISA was used to measure F. hepatica antibody levels in a random sample of 516 dairy herds during the period of May-July of 2014. Farm management practice data were collected using a questionnaire. Results: With 82% of the herds testing positive, the results indicate that F. hepatica is very widespread in this area. Reductions in milk production of 18 and 32% were observed in herds with Optical Density Ratios (ODR) of 0.3-0.6 and>0.6, respectively, when compared to herds with ODR<0.3. Overall, the longer the milking cows were put out to pasture, the higher the levels of anti-parasite antibodies. Co-grazing with sheep and goats also significantly increased the risk of high ODR. Conclusions: Our data show a widespread occurrence of the parasite as well as a major potential impact of the infection on the Cuban development goal of becoming self-sufficient in milk production. Our risk factor analysis suggests that the prevention of infection around water sources, and the separation of cattle from small ruminants could be useful control measures. This is the first epidemiological survey of F. hepatica abundance, and associated reductions in milk yield, in dairy herds in Cuba

Anthropometric variables that estimate adiposity as predictors of insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with overweight

Objetivo: Determinar cuales de las variables o índices antropométricos que estiman adiposidad, son predictores de resistencia a la insulina (RI) en mujeres posmenopáusicas venezolanas con exceso de peso. Métodos: Se estudiaron 67 mujeres posmenopáusicas aparentemente sanas con un año de amenorrea o más, con edades comprendidas entre 45 y 65 años, y con exceso de peso (sobrepeso u obesidad), de acuerdo a los valores del índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se midieron las siguientes variables antropométricas: peso, talla, circunferencia de cintura (CCi), circunferencia de cadera (CCa), circunferencia media del brazo izquierdo (CBI), pliegue tricipital (PTRIC), pliegue subescapular (PSE) y porcentaje de grasa corporal (%GC). Se calculó el IMC y el índice cintura/cadera (ICC). Se determinaron los niveles séricos de glucosa, insulina y estradiol, y la RI se midió a través del índice HOMA (homeostasis model assessment). Resultados: Casi la totalidad de las mujeres evaluadas (98,5%) presentaron valores elevados para la CCi, mientras que cerca del 50% de las mismas mostró RI y valores altos para el %GC. Los valores medios para las variables e índices antropométricos evaluados, fueron mayores en las mujeres con RI, con diferencias significativas (p<0,05) para el IMC, la CBI, el CCi y el ICC. Según las Curvas ROC, los puntos de corte para el IMC y la CCi fueron 25,43 kg/m2 y 84 cm respectivamente; dichos valores predicen en un 97,4% la RI en las mujeres estudiadas. Conclusión: Un porcentaje elevado de las mujeres posmenopáusicas evaluadas, presentaron una distribución central de la grasa corporal y resistencia a la insulina. El IMC y la CCi fueron las medidas antropométricas con la más alta capacidad predictiva para [email protected]: To identify which of the anthropometric variables for estimating adiposity, are predictors of insulin resistance (IR) in postmenopausal Venezuelan women with overweight. Methods: A sample of 67 apparently healthy postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 65, with one year or more since amenorrhea, and with overweight according to the values of body mass index (BMI), was studied. The following anthropometric measurements were determined: weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), left upper arm circumference (LUAC), triceps skinfold (TSF), subscapular (TS) and percentage of body fat (% BF). The body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip index (W/H) were calculated. Serum glucose, insulin and estradiol were determined, and the IR was measured by HOMA (homeostasis model assessment). Results: Almost all women screened (98.5%) presented high values for WC, while about 50% of them showed RI and high values of % BF. Mean values for anthropometric variables and indices evaluated were higher for women with insulin resistance, with significant differences (p <0.05) for BMI, the LUAC, the WC and the W/H. According to ROC curves, the cutoff points for BMI and WC were 25.43 kg/m2 and 84 cm respectively, these values predict a 97.4% IR in the women studied. Conclusions: A high percentage of the postmenopausal women studied, showed a central distribution of body fat and insulin resistance. The anthropometric measures with the highest predictive power for IR were BMI and WC