Growth analysis and blood profile in piglets born by embryo transfer

©2022. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This document is the Published, version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Research in Veterinary Science. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.11.010Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), besides solving several reproductive problems, it has also been used as a tool to improve the animal productivity that is required for feeding the human population. One of these techniques, the embryo transfer (ET), has presented limitations in the porcine species, which could constrain its use in the porcine industry. To clarify the potential of this technique, we aimed to compare the impact of using ET or artificial insemination (AI) on the phenotype of the offspring during its first days of age, in terms of growth and blood parameters. At birth, the body weight was higher for ET-females than AI-females, but this difference was no longer observed at day 15. On day 3, it was observed a higher concentration of red blood cells, haemoglobin, and haematocrit in females-ET and a higher concentration of white blood cells in both ET-derived piglets (males and females) when compared to AI groups. On day 3, the biochemical analysis showed a higher level of albumin for ET-derived males, and a lower level of bilirubin for ET-females than AI controls. However, all values were within the normal ranges. Our results indicate that piglets derived from ET seem to be phenotypically similar to those born by AI, which provides preliminary evidence that the ET procedure is a safe technique, but additional studies beyond 15 days of life are requested to conclude its global impact. Furthermore, the presented reference values of blood parameters in this species are interesting data for the pig industry

High-Pressure Methane Storage in Porous Materials: Are Carbon Materials in the Pole Position?

Natural gas storage on porous materials (ANG) is a promising alternative to conventional on-board compressed (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG). To date, Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials have apparently been the only system published in the literature that is able to reach the new Department of Energy (DOE) value of 263 cm3 (STP: 273.15 K, 1 atm)/cm3; however, this value was obtained by using the ideal single-crystal density to calculate the volumetric capacity. Here, we prove experimentally, and for the first time, that properly designed activated carbon materials can really achieve the new DOE value while avoiding the additional drawback usually associated with MOF materials (i.e., the low mechanical stability under pressure (conforming), which is required for any practical application).Authors acknowledge financial support from MINECO: Strategic Japanese−Spanish Cooperation Program (No. PLE2009-0052), Concert Project-NASEMS (No. PCIN-2013-057) and Generalitat Valenciana (No. PROMETEO/2009/002)

ADAPTABILIDAD Y ESTABILIDAD DE NARANJILLA (Solanum quitoense LAM var. Septentrionale ) Y COCONA (Solanum sessiliflorum DUNAL var. Sessiliflorum ) EN FINCAS DE PEQUEÑOS AGRICULTORES DE GRANOS BÁSICOS EN JINOTEGA

La naranjilla (Solanum quitoense LAM), y la cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum DUNAL), son cultivadas mayormente en Jinotega y Matagalpa. Ambos cultivos son poco conocidos, al igual su manejo agronómico. El objetivo de este ensayo fue estudiar la adaptabilidad y estabilidad de ambos cultivos. Para esto se establecieron parcelas en 23 fincas, sin repeticiones dentro de cada finca. Entre los resultados se obtuvieron los siguientes: Tanto el factor finca como la interacción finca*variedad resultaron significativos. En general la naranjilla mostró una mayor adaptabilidad a los ambientes más productivos, aunque resultó menos estable que la cocona (b = 1.5). La cocona mostró una estabilidad mayor (b = 0.49) y adaptada a los ambientes menos productivos. La grafica bidimensional del AMMI reflejó que ambos cultivos y las Fincas Siete y Ocho contribuyeron grandemente a la interacción detectada. En cuanto a la variación observada entre sitios las variables independientes profundidad de suelo, SiembraT y pendiente del terreno mostraron cierta asociación con la variación en el rendimiento observado entre fincas. Abreviaturas: PROFUN, profundidad de suelo, PEND, pendiente del terreno, AVT, áreas de validación tecnológica, SIEMBRAT, fecha de siembra en el terreno definitivo, (msnm), metros sobre el nivel del mar, TEXT, textura, MO, contenido de materia orgánica CULTIANT, cultivo anterior sembrado en la parcela

The Addition of Lactobacillus spp., Enrofloxacin or Doxycycline Negatively Affects the Viability of Mycoplasma bovis in Diluted Bovine Semen

© The Authors. 2020. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This document is the Published version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Animals. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050837Mycoplasma bovis is an important etiologic agent of bovine mycoplasmosis in cattle. Different transmission routes have been described, including those related to reproduction. The presence of mycoplasma in semen has led to its appearance in infection-free areas through artificial insemination (AI). Semen was recently reported to be the initial source of two M. bovis mastitis outbreaks in two closed dairy herds in Finland. This questions the effectiveness of the antimicrobials currently used in semen extenders to control the pathogens in contaminated semen. They should be re-evaluated, or alternative measures to antimicrobials should be tested to obtain M. bovis-free semen. This in vitro study aimed to assess different strategies to reduce the risk of transmission of M. bovis through AI technologies. The viability of M. bovis (PG45, NCTC 10131) in bull semen diluted (DS) in a Tris-citrate-fructose solution was tested, after the addition of enrofloxacin, doxycycline or a Lactobacillus spp.-based probiotic. The data show the susceptibility of the pathogen to the addition of 0.125 μg/mL of enrofloxacin or 0.0625 μg/mL of doxycycline and to the addition of the probiotic at a concentration of 3.24 × 106 colony forming units (CFU)/mL or 3.24 × 108 CFU/mL in DS. The Tris-citrate-fructose medium negatively affected the viability of M. bovis, although this effect was lower than that observed after the addition of the probiotic and antimicrobials (p < 0.05). Our results may support new strategies for reducing the risk of M. bovis transmission through AI

Uso del simulador informático PhysioEX en la asignatura de Fisiología Veterinaria: valoración del alumnado

[SPA]El empleo de animales, material biológico y otros materiales/reactivos de laboratorio conlleva, en muchos casos, ciertas dificultades y un coste elevado, por lo que cada día se hace más extenso el uso de diferentes métodos como alternativas docentes. Entre ellas se encuentran los simuladores informáticos, que permiten de una forma sencilla y económica extrapolar la metodología del laboratorio a un ordenador, con las ventajas que ello supone en cuanto a tiempo de uso, posibilidad de repetición de los ejercicios o acceso ilimitado. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue conocer la opinión de los alumnos (planes de estudio de Licenciatura y Grado en Veterinaria ) sobre el uso del simulador informático PhysioEx en la asignatura de Fisiología Veterinariacomo complemento a los contenidos teóricos y prácticos. Para ello, los alumnos contestaron tras realizar la práctica una breve encuesta de 6 preguntas. En total se analizaron 249 encuestas. Los resultados obtenidos fueron muy positivos ya que aproximadamente el 90% de los alumnos consideraron satisfactorio o muy satisfactorio el uso de estos simuladores en la impartición de la asignatura de Fisiología. [ENG]The use of animals, biological material and other laboratory materials/reagents causes, in many cases, certain difficulties and a high cost. Nowadays the widespread use of different teaching methods as alternatives is increasing. These methods include computer simulators, which allow a simple and affordable method for computer usage as an alternative to laboratory methodologies. The benefits of this usage are the possibility of repeating the exercises as often as students like and unlimited access and use of the program. The aim of our study was to determine students´ point of view on the use of computer simulation “PhysioEx” on Physiology teaching as a complement to the theoretical and laboratory sessions. To this end, students were asked to complete a survey made up of 6 questions. In total 249 surveys were analyzed. The results were very positive since approximately 90% of students considered good or very good the use of these simulators in the teaching of Physiology.Campus Mare Nostrum, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Universidad de Murcia, Región de Murci

Reproductive fluids, added to the culture media, contribute to minimizing phenotypical differences between in vitro-derived and artificial insemination-derived piglets

The addition of reproductive fluids (RF) to the culture media has shown benefits in different embryonic traits but its long-term effects on the offspring phenotype are still unknown. We aimed to describe such effects in pigs. Blood samples and growth parameters were collected from piglets derived from in vitro-produced embryos (IVP) with or without RF added in the culture media versus those artificially inseminated (AI), from day 0 to month 6 of life. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on day 45 of life. We show here the first comparative data of the growth of animals produced through different assisted reproductive techniques, demonstrating differences between groups. Overall, there was a tendency to have a larger size at birth and faster growth in animals derived from in vitro fertilization and embryo culture versus AI, although this trend was diminished by the addition of RFs to the culture media. Similarly, small differences in hematological indices and glucose tolerance between animals derived from AI and those derived from IVP, with a sex-dependent effect, tended to fade in the presence of RF. The addition of RF to the culture media could contribute to minimizing the phenotypical differences between the in vitro-derived and AI offspring, particularly in males

Docencia en inglés en el máster universitario "Biología y tecnología de la reproducción en mamíferos": la opinión de los alumnos

[SPA]En la actualidad, debido a la globalización mundial y a la apertura de fronteras, el uso de distintos idiomas, en especial el inglés, se abre paso en el día a día cada vez con más fuerza. La docencia en inglés es una forma de adaptación a la internacionalización del alumno y la entrada laboral a un mundo cada vez más competitivo. Sin embargo, es consabida la dificultad que representa para el alumno la impartición de las clases en un idioma diferente a la lengua materna, y más aún dependiendo del nivel de conocimiento del idioma que cada estudiante haya adquirido. En este trabajo se han evaluado las encuestas contestadas por los alumnos sobre cuestiones acerca de la impartición en inglés de algunas de las clases del Máster Universitario en Biología y Tecnología de la Reproducción en Mamíferos. En general los alumnos valoraron positivamente esta iniciativa, aunque reseñaron que el nivel propio de conocimiento del idioma quizá no era el adecuado.[ENG] Nowadays, due to globalization and the opening of new frontiers to students, the use of different languages, especially English, are important to learn. Having classes taught in English is a form of adaptation for the student to internationalization and a labor input to an increasingly competitive world. However, it is well-known how difficult is for the student to attend classes in a language other than their mother language, and even more depending on the level of knowledge that each student has acquired. In this work we have evaluated the questionnaires answered by students for the Master's Degree in Biology and Technology of Reproduction in Mammals about taking classes in English. In general, students appreciated this initiative, but pointed out that their English level was not the appropriate.Campus Mare Nostrum, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Universidad de Murcia, Región de Murci

Low aerobic capacity in McArdle disease: A role for mitochondrial network impairment?

[Background]: McArdle disease is caused by myophosphorylase deficiency and results in complete inability for muscle glycogen breakdown. A hallmark of this condition is muscle oxidation impairment (e.g., low peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)), a phenomenon traditionally attributed to reduced glycolytic flux and Krebs cycle anaplerosis. Here we hypothesized an additional role for muscle mitochondrial network alterations associated with massive intracellular glycogen accumulation. [Methods]: We analyzed in depth mitochondrial characteristics-content, biogenesis, ultrastructure-and network integrity in skeletal-muscle from McArdle/control mice and two patients. We also determined VO2peak in patients (both sexes, N = 145) and healthy controls (N = 133). [Results]: Besides corroborating very poor VO2peak values in patients and impairment in muscle glycolytic flux, we found that, in McArdle muscle: (a) damaged fibers are likely those with a higher mitochondrial and glycogen content, which show major disruption of the three main cytoskeleton components-actin microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments-thereby contributing to mitochondrial network disruption in skeletal muscle fibers; (b) there was an altered subcellular localization of mitochondrial fission/fusion proteins and of the sarcoplasmic reticulum protein calsequestrin-with subsequent alteration in mitochondrial dynamics/function; impairment in mitochondrial content/biogenesis; and (c) several OXPHOS-related complex proteins/activities were also affected. [Conclusions]: In McArdle disease, severe muscle oxidative capacity impairment could also be explained by a disruption of the mitochondrial network, at least in those fibers with a higher capacity for glycogen accumulation. Our findings might pave the way for future research addressing the potential involvement of mitochondrial network alterations in the pathophysiology of other glycogenoses.The present study was funded by grants received from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS, PI17/02052, PI18/00139, PI19/01313, and PI20/00645) and cofunded by ‘Fondos FEDER’. Gisela Nogales-Gadea and Carmen Fiuza-Luces are supported by the Miguel Servet research contracts (ISCIII CD14/00032 and CP18/00034, respectively and cofounded by Fondos FEDER′). Research by Pedro L. Valenzuela is funded by a postdoctoral contract granted by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Sara Borrell, CD21/00138). Monica Villarreal Salazar is supported by the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT)

Generation and characterization of a novel knockin minipig model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder for which no cure exists. The disease is characterized by premature aging and inevitable death in adolescence due to cardiovascular complications. Most HGPS patients carry a heterozygous de novo LMNA c.1824C > T mutation, which provokes the expression of a dominant-negative mutant protein called progerin. Therapies proven effective in HGPS-like mouse models have yielded only modest benefit in HGPS clinical trials. To overcome the gap between HGPS mouse models and patients, we have generated by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing the first large animal model for HGPS, a knockin heterozygous LMNA c.1824C > T Yucatan minipig. Like HGPS patients, HGPS minipigs endogenously co-express progerin and normal lamin A/C, and exhibit severe growth retardation, lipodystrophy, skin and bone alterations, cardiovascular disease, and die around puberty. Remarkably, the HGPS minipigs recapitulate critical cardiovascular alterations seen in patients, such as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, altered cardiac electrical activity, and loss of vascular smooth muscle cells. Our analysis also revealed reduced myocardial perfusion due to microvascular damage and myocardial interstitial fibrosis, previously undescribed readouts potentially useful for monitoring disease progression in patients. The HGPS minipigs provide an appropriate preclinical model in which to test human-size interventional devices and optimize candidate therapies before advancing to clinical trials, thus accelerating the development of effective applications for HGPS patients.This project was mainly supported by an Established Investigator Award from the Progeria Research Foundation (2014-52), and from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU), and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER, “A way to build Europe”) (SAF2016-79490-R, CB16/11/00405). Ana Barettino has a predoctoral contract from MCIU (BES-2017-079705). Work at Universidad de Murcia is supported by Fundación Seneca-Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia (20040/GERM/16). The CNIC is supported by the MCIU and the Pro-CNIC Foundation and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015-0505).S

Patients receiving a high burden of antibiotics in the community in Spain: a cross-sectional study.

Some patients in the community receive a high burden of antibiotics. We aimed at describing the characteristics of these patients, antibiotics used, and conditions for which they received antibiotics. We carried out a cross-sectional study. Setting: Thirty Health Primary Care Areas from 12 regions in Spain, covering 5,960,191 inhabitants. Patients having at least 30 packages of antibacterials for systemic use dispensed in 2017 were considered. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of antibiotic use, conditions for which antibiotics were prescribed, clinical characteristics of patients, comorbidities, concomitant treatments, and microbiological isolates. Patient's average age was 70 years; 52% were men; 60% smokers/ex-smokers; 54% obese. Overall, 93% of patients had, at least, one chronic condition, and four comorbidities on average. Most common comorbidities were cardiovascular and/or hypertension (67%), respiratory diseases (62%), neurological/mental conditions (32%), diabetes (23%), and urological diseases (21%); 29% were immunosuppressed, 10% were dead at the time of data collection. Patients received three antibiotic treatments per year, mainly fluoroquinolones (28%), macrolides (21%), penicillins (19%), or cephalosporins (12%). Most frequently treated conditions were lower respiratory tract (infections or prophylaxis) (48%), urinary (27%), and skin/soft tissue infections (11%). Thirty-five percent have been guided by a microbiological diagnosis, being Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30%) and Escherichia coli (16%) the most frequent isolates. In conclusion, high antibiotic consumers in the community were basically elder, with multimorbidity and polymedication. They frequently received broad-spectrum antibiotics for long periods of time. The approach to infections in high consumers should be differentiated from healthy patients receiving antibiotics occasionally