Evolution of the corpus luteum volume determined ultrasonographically and its relation to the plasma progesterone concentration after artificial insemination in pregnant and non-pregnant dairy cows

P. 183–188The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of the evolution of the corpus luteum (CL) volume that was determined ultrasonographically with the pregnancy status in lactating dairy cows during early pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were carried out on 76 cows following artificial insemination (AI). Plasma concentrations of progesterone were determined from blood samples collected at each ultrasound examination. Conception was confirmed by ultrasonography on day 30 after AI. Around day 14 post-insemination (p.i.), the CL volume tended to decrease in pregnant and non-pregnant cows, and, after day 19 p.i., both groups differed significantly, indicating the luteal regression in non-pregnant cows. Reaching signification on day 20. The diminution in CL volume was also reflected in the plasma progesterone concentration. However, the patterns of CL volume, estimated by ultrasonography, differed more evidently and earlier between both groups (around 1 week p.i., at day 9 p.i. P < 0.05, whereas progesterone started to differ around 2 weeks p.i., at day 14 p.i, P < 0.05). These results indicate that the estimation of the CL volume by ultrasonography could be useful for assessing the presence of a functional CL.S

Andalusian initial vocational training students: some contributions on their guidance's needs

El artículo presenta los principales resultados obtenidos con la técnica proyectiva-mediadora del fotolenguaje en una investigación2 sobre la orientación del alumnado de Formación Profesional Inicial (FP) en el sistema educativo español (tanto en Programas de Cualificación Profesional Inicial como Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio y Superior). Se conformaron 9 grupos de estudiantes de FP escolarizados en centros de la provincia de Sevilla con el objetivo de obtener datos discursivos relacionados con sus necesidades de orientación. El análisis de los datos obtenidos ha permitido describir las trayectorias escolares de los estudiantes de los tres niveles de FP en el pasado, la percepción que tienen de su situación actual y sus aspiraciones de cara al futuro. Se han detectado algunas características comunes a los tres niveles como la experiencia escolar problemática, el deseo de continuar la formación y la incertidumbre respecto a los proyectos futuros. La información recogida ha posibilitado establecer dos ámbitos de orientación preferentes para este alumnado: la orientación personal dirigida a recuperar el autoconcepto y la confianza en las propias posibilidades de éxito; y la orientación destinada a ayudarle a construir su proyecto profesional y vital y a elegir adecuadamente la formación necesaria para ello.This paper presents some findings from data collection, by means of Photolanguage technique, which has been conducted among 9 vocational students’ groups located inside vocational institutes of the county of Seville. Data analysis allowed us to outline schooling paths’ features of the three levels of vocational pupils, the actual perception about their present training situation as well as their future Life-study-and-employment expectancies. It was possible to establish some common trends among students, as for example, the problematic schooling experience in the past, the present and widespread wish of continuing vocational training studies, and the uncertainty on the possibilities of personal project’s success. These and others outcomes pointed out to two main guidance delivery actions: the first one might deal with the students’ need to recover positive self-concept, as well as confidence on the possibilities of their own success; the second one is related to support vocational students at their attempts to build up a life-and professional project, and to take a suitable study choice

Salivary epidermal growth factor correlates with hospitalization length in rotavirus infection

The IFI27 interferon gene expression has been found to be largely increased in rotavirus (RV)-infected patients. IFI27 gene encodes for a protein of unknown function, very recently linked to epidermal proliferation and related to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein. The EGF is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide that is mainly produced by submandibular and parotid glands, and it plays an important physiological role in the maintenance of oro-esophageal and gastric tissue integrity. Our aim was to determine salivary EGF levels in RV-infected patients in order to establish its potential relationship with IFI27 increased expression and EGF-mediated mucosal protection in RV infection. We conducted a prospective comparative study using saliva samples from 27 infants infected with RV (sampled at recruitment during hospital admission and at convalescence, i.e. at least 3 months after recovery) and from 36 healthy control children. Median (SD) EGF salivary concentration was 777 (529) pg/ml in RV-infected group at acute phase and 356 (242) pg/m at convalescence, while it was 337 (119) pg/ml in the healthy control group. A significant association was found between EGF levels and hospitalization length of stay (P-value = 0.022; r(2) = -0.63). The salivary levels of EGF are significantly increased during the acute phase of natural RV infection, and relate to length of hospitalization. Further assessment of this non-invasive biomarker in RV disease is warranted.Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIXunta de Galicia. Consellería de Sanidad

Estimulantes espermáticos en la inseminación artificial porcina = Sperm stimulants in swine artificial insemination

P. 22-33Los estimulantes espermáticos, conocidos también como potenciadores o aditivos seminales, son un grupo de sustancias, clasificadas en cuatro categorías ( estimulantes de la motilidad espermática, hormonas, enzimas y otras diversas), que añadidas al semen en el momento previo a la inseminación de las hembras mejoran la fertilidad y/o la prolificidad. En el presente artículo expondremos nuestras últimas investigaciones sobre un estimulante espermático porcino (EEP), de tipo "combinado", aplicable a la optimación de los resultados de la inseminación artificial porcina (IAP).S

El alumnado de formación profesional inicial en Andalucía y sus necesidades de orientación: algunas aportaciones

ABSTRACTThis paper presents some findings from data collection, by means of Photolanguage technique, which has been conducted among 9 vocational students’ groups located inside vocational institutes of the county of Seville. Data analysis allowed us to outline schooling paths’ features of the three levels of vocational pupils, the actual perception about their present training situation as well as their future Life-study-and-employment expectancies. It was possible to establish some common trends among students, as for example, the problematic schooling experience in the past, the present and widespread wish of continuing vocational training studies, and the uncertainty on the possibilities of personal project’s success. These and others outcomes pointed out to two main guidance delivery actions: the first one might deal with the students’ need to recover positive self-concept, as well as confidence on the possibilities of their own success; the second one is related to support vocational students at their attempts to build up a life-and-professional project, and to take a suitable study choice.   RESUMENEl artículo presenta los principales resultados obtenidos con la técnica proyectiva-mediadora del fotolenguaje en una investigación sobre la orientación del alumnado de Formación Profesional Inicial (FP) en el sistema educativo español (tanto en Programas de Cualificación Profesional Inicial como Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio y Superior). Se conformaron 9 grupos de estudiantes de FP escolarizados en centros de la provincia de Sevilla con el objetivo de obtener datos discursivos relacionados con sus necesidades de orientación. El análisis de los datos obtenidos ha permitido describir las trayectorias escolares de los estudiantes de los tres niveles de FP en el pasado, la percepción que tienen de su situación actual y sus aspiraciones de cara al futuro. Se han detectado algunas características comunes a los tres niveles como la experiencia escolar problemática, el deseo de continuar la formación y la incertidumbre respecto a los proyectos futuros. La información recogida ha posibilitado establecer dos ámbitos de orientación preferentes para este alumnado: la orientación personal dirigida a recuperar el autoconcepto y la confianza en las propias posibilidades de éxito; y la orientación destinada a ayudarle a construir su proyecto profesional y vital y a elegir adecuadamente la formación necesaria para ello.ABSTRACTThis paper presents some findings from data collection, by means of Photolanguage technique, which has been conducted among 9 vocational students’ groups located inside vocational institutes of the county of Seville. Data analysis allowed us to outline schooling paths’ features of the three levels of vocational pupils, the actual perception about their present training situation as well as their future Life-study-and-employment expectancies. It was possible to establish some common trends among students, as for example, the problematic schooling experience in the past, the present and widespread wish of continuing vocational training studies, and the uncertainty on the possibilities of personal project’s success. These and others outcomes pointed out to two main guidance delivery actions: the first one might deal with the students’ need to recover positive self-concept, as well as confidence on the possibilities of their own success; the second one is related to support vocational students at their attempts to build up a life-and-professional project, and to take a suitable study choice

Treatment variability and its relationships to outcomes among patients with Wernicke's encephalopathy: A multicenter retrospective study

Background: Despite guidelines and recommendations, Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) treatment lacks evidence, leading to clinical practice variability.Aims: Given the overall lack of information on thiamine use for WE treatment, we analyzed data from a large, well-characterized multicenter sample of patients with WE, examining thiamine dosages; factors associated with the use of different doses, frequencies, and routes; and the influence of differences in thiamine treatment on the outcome.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted with data from 443 patients from 21 centers obtained from a nationwide registry of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (from 2000 to 2012). Discharge codes and Caine criteria were applied for WE diagnosis, and treatment-related (thiamine dosage, frequency, and route of administration) demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were analyzed.Results: We found marked variability in WE treatment and a low rate of high-dose intravenous thiamine administration. Seventy-eight patients out of 373 (20.9%) received > 300 mg/day of thiamine as initial dose. Patients fulfilling the Caine criteria or presenting with the classic WE triad more frequently received parenteral treatment. Delayed diagnosis (after 24 h hospitalization), the fulfillment of more than two Caine criteria at diagnosis, mental status alterations, and folic acid deficiency were associated significantly with the lack of complete recovery. Malnutrition, reduced consciousness, folic acid deficiency, and the lack of timely thiamine treatment were risk factors for mortality.Conclusions: Our results clearly show extreme variability in thiamine dosages and routes used in the management of WE. Measures should be implemented to ensure adherence to current guidelines and to correct potential nutritional deficits in patients with alcohol use disorders or other risk factors for WE

Physical therapy in unilateral and bilateral vestibular hypofunction

[ES] Introducción: La rehabilitación vestibular (RV) basada en la terapia física, tiene el objetivo, en el caso de patología vestibular, de inducir la compensación del sistema nervioso central (SNC) a nivel de núcleos vestibulares y de otros niveles del SNC. Incluye ejercicios de habituación, adaptación y sustitución vestibular, ejercicios para mejorar el equilibrio y el control postural dinámico y ejercicios para el acondicionamiento general. En este capítulo discutimos los recientes avances sobre el adiestramiento del equilibrio y de la marcha, la estabilidad de la mirada y la habituación, en el contexto de los trastornos vestibulares uni y bilaterales. Método: Revisión narrativa. Resultados: Los ejercicios se prescriben para mejorar la función; fortaleciendo, y favoreciendo la flexibilidad y la resistencia, a través de la adaptación del RVO, la habituación, la sustitución sensorial, la marcha y el equilibrio postural. Son más eficaces los programas personalizados que los genéricos. El cumplimiento mejora con la personalización y las visitas de seguimiento a un fisioterapeuta. Discusión/Conclusiones: La RV permite mejorar el déficit funcional y los síntomas subjetivos derivados de la hipofunción vestibular periférica uni y bilateral, así como las alteraciones del equilibrio de origen central. Los objetivos de la RV consisten en reducir los síntomas para mejorar la estabilidad postural y de la mirada (particularmente durante los movimientos de la cabeza) y devolver al individuo a sus actividades normales, incluyendo la actividad física, la conducción y el trabajo habitual. Los médicos deben ofrecer la RV a quienes muestren limitaciones funcionales relacionadas con un déficit vestibular, pues actualmente se considera el tratamiento estándar en la disfunción vestibular periférica

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2