Characterization of tropical cattle production units: Effect of sanitary management

Objective: Characterize double-purpose bovine production units (PU), and identify the sanitary management used by producers in their herds. Design/methodology/approach: 60 cattle producers were interviewed, the questions were related to the characteristics of the PU and the health status. Four serum samples were sent to the laboratory of the largest herd. Results: All the cattle producers surveyed were males between the ages of 20 and 50. 40% have been engaged in the activity between 11 and 25 years. The PU have an average of 25 animals, 45% of the producers have between 21 to 30 cows, the highest percentage of animals are Gyr breed (35%) and Sardo Negro (30%). 65% of the producers take care of their sick animals. On the other hand, laboratory studies showed that three cows were positive for Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), two positive cows for bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) or Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Parainfluenza 3 (PI3), finally all cows tested positive for Leptospira sp hardjo. Study limitations/implications: Under the conditions in which the study was conducted, it is expensive to send samples to the laboratory. The producer with the largest herd financed the laboratory tests of the sampled cows. This information is useful for local producers regarding the characteristics in which they produce. Findings/conclusions: Dual-purpose cattle producers in the tropics produce on a small scale; and one of the largest PUs has problems of abortive diseases.Objective: To characterize dual-purpose cattle production units (PUs) and to identify the sanitary management that producers use with their herds. Design/Methodology/Approach: Sixty (60) cattle producers were interviewed; the questions were related to the characteristics of the PU and the sanitary status. Four serum samples from the largest herd were sent to the laboratory to detect diseases. Results: All the cattle producers surveyed were men between 20 and 50 years old. Of them, 40% have been devoted to the activity for 11 to 25 years. The PUs have on average 25 animals, 45% of producers have between 21 and 30 cows, and the highest percentage of animals are breeds Gyr (35%) and Sardo Negro (30%). Of producers, 65% tend to their sick animals. On the other hand, the laboratory studies showed that three cows were positive for Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), two cows were positive for type 1 bovine herpes virus (BoHV-1), or Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and parainfluenza 3 (PI3), and finally all the cows were positive for Leptospira sp. Hardjo. Study Limitations/Implications: Under the conditions in which the study was conducted, it is costly to send samples to the laboratory. The producer with the largest herd financed the laboratory tests of the cows sampled. This information is useful for local producers with regards to the characteristics in which they produce them. Findings/Conclusions: Dual-purpose cattle producers in the tropics produce at a small scale; and one of the largest PUs presents problems of abortive diseases

Respuesta superovulatoria y calidad embrionaria de vacas Brahman lactando sincronizadas con dosis bajas de FSH en condiciones del sur de México

Objetivo: evaluar la respuesta superovulatoria y calidad embrionaria de un grupo de vacas Brahman lactando sometidas a un protocolo de dosis bajas de FSH. Metodología: en el estudio fueron superovuladas 33 vacas de raza Brahman multíparas lactando. Las hembras fueron sincronizadas con CIDR (inserción día 0) y dosis decrecientes de FSH (día 5: 250mg FSH, día 6: 200 mg FSH, día 7: 150 mg), el día 9 y 10 se practicó la inseminación artificial (IA); finalmente el día 17 se realizó el lavado para la recolección de embriones. Los embriones fueron colectados con una sonda Foley, y el contenido fue depositado en una caja de  Petri cuadrada de 100 ? 100 mm con fondo cuadriculado para la posterior búsqueda de embriones en el microscopio provisto de un aumento de 20 a 30 X. Los embriones fueron clasificados de acuerdo a su morfología y estadio de desarrollo en una escala del 1 (estadio de una célula) al 9 (estadio de blastocito eclosionado) y calidad como 1 (excelente), 2 (bueno), 3 (regular) y 4 (degenerado). Resultados: Del 100% de las vacas tratadas se obtuvieron 363 embriones: 41.8% fueron viables; 65% se clasificaron como blastocisto eclosionado de calidad 8 y 34.8% de calidad 7. De los embriones clasificados como blastocisto eclosionado, 60.6% fueron de calidad excelente, 28.28% de calidad buena y 11.11% de calidad regular. El promedio de embriones viables por vaca fue de 2.9% y 1.9% transferibles. Implicaciones: Es difícil superovular vacas lactando, por el control de los becerros durante el proceso experimental, y no es recomendable este tipo de tratamiento por el gasto metabólico y reproductivo a lasque son sometidas las hembras. Conclusiones: Las vacas de raza Brahman lactando tienen una respuesta superovulatoria baja cuando son sincronizadas con un protocolo de dosis bajas de FSH

Reproductive evaluation of bucks (Capra hircus L.) with usual management in herds from Benito Juarez, Guerrero, Mexico

Objective: To evaluate the reproductive characteristics of male goats with habitual management in herds of the Benito Juarez municipality, Guerrero. Design/methodology/approach: In the study 10 male Creole goats were used from 7 herds, aged between 2 to 7 years and body condition (BC) from 2 to 3. The males were evaluated for sexual behavior, sperm quality, physical examination and clinical reproductive evaluation. Results: In the study it was found that the 100% of the male goats displayed sexual behavior (P<0.05). However, it was observed that in the males of 3 herds the sexual behavior was lower (P<0.05). From the 10 electroejaculated males, 20% ejaculated and 80% didn’t (P<0.05); of the males that ejaculated, a sperm concentration of 224 x 106 and 16 x 106 sperm/mL was found for the first and second male. Finally, the physical and clinical reproductive evaluation was in accordance with the parameters established for the species. Study limitations/implications: Under the conditions in which the study was carried out, it wasn’t possible to have the males in the same conditions of age and reproductive characteristics. However, this allows information obtained at the field level so the producers can apply it to improve their herds. Findings/conclusions: Under the particular conditions in which the present study was carried out, male goats from herds of the Benito Juarez municipality present an intense sexual behavior, but low sperm characteristics according to what is established for the goat species.Objective: To evaluate the reproductive characteristics of male goats (Capra hircus L.)with habitual management on their herds at Benito Juarez municipality, Guerrero, Mexico.Design / methodology / approach: Ten male Creole goats from seven herds wereevaluated, aged between 2 to 7 years and 2 to 3 body condition (BC). The males wereevaluated regarding their sexual behavior, sperm quality, physical examination andreproductive clinical evaluation.Results: All the assessed male Creole goats displayed sexual behavior (P < 0.05).However, for the males of three of the evaluated herds the sexual behavior was lower (P < 0.05). Of the ten electro-ejaculated males, 20% ejaculated and 80% did not (P < 0.05). From the males that ejaculated, a sperm concentration of 224 x 106 and 16 x 106 spermmL -1 was recorded for the first and second male. Finally, the physical and clinicalreproductive evaluation concurred with the established parameters for the species.Limitations of the study / implications: Under the conditions in which the study wascarried out, it was not possible to evaluate males in the same age conditions andreproductive characteristics. However, this allowed collecting information from fieldconditions so that producers can apply it for herd improvement.Findings / conclusions: The male Creole goats of the evaluated herds showed intensesexual behavior with low sperm characteristics

The first hominin of Europe

The earliest hominin occupation of Europe is one of the most debated topics in palaeoanthropology. However, the purportedly oldest of the Early Pleistocene sites in Eurasia lack precise age control and contain stone tools rather than human fossil remains(1-5). Here we report the discovery of a human mandible associated with an assemblage of Mode 1 lithic tools and faunal remains bearing traces of hominin processing, in stratigraphic level TE9 at the site of the Sima del Elefante, Atapuerca, Spain(6-8). Level TE9 has been dated to the Early Pleistocene ( approximately 1.2 - 1.1 Myr), based on a combination of palaeomagnetism, cosmogenic nuclides and biostratigraphy. The Sima del Elefante site thus emerges as the oldest, most accurately dated record of human occupation in Europe, to our knowledge. The study of the human mandible suggests that the first settlement of Western Europe could be related to an early demographic expansion out of Africa. The new evidence, with previous findings in other Atapuerca sites ( level TD6 from Gran Dolina(9-13)), also suggests that a speciation event occurred in this extreme area of the Eurasian continent during the Early Pleistocene, initiating the hominin lineage represented by the TE9 and TD6 hominins.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/62855/1/nature06815.pd

La administración de autovacuna La administración repetida de vacuna autógena disminuye la papilomatosis en hembras bovinas

Objective. The present study aimed to evaluate the control of bovine papillomatosis (BP) with autogenous vaccine under the tropical conditions of Guerrero State. Materials and methods. In the experiment 18 bovine females were used, that were divided into three treatments according to the ranch (6 females / group). Treatment 1 (T1-immune vaccine), treatment 2 (T2-histovaccine) and treatment 3 (T3-plasma therapy). Results. At the beginning of the study, a high incidence of papillomas was found in bovine females [(T1 (190 papillomas), T2 (95 papillomas) and T3 (100 papillomas)]. With the administration of the autogenous vaccine, the number of papillomas decreased significantly (T1 and T3) through the applications from 1 (147 and 66 papillomas) to 5 (10 and 9 papillomas); (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between treatments according to the period of application of the vaccine (3 to 5), decreasing the number of papillomas (period effect; p<0.05). On the other hand, a treatment x period interaction was observed, decreasing the number of papillomas in the fourth and fifth administration (T1 and T3; p<0.05). Conclusions. The repeated administration of the autogenous vaccine in bovine females decreased the number of papillomas between the fourth and fifth application in treatments 1 and 3.Objetivo. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el control de la papilomatosis bovina (PB) con vacuna autógena en condiciones del trópico de Guerrero. Materiales y métodos. En el experimento se usaron 18 hembras bovinas que fueron divididas en tres tratamientos de acuerdo al rancho (6 hembras/grupo). Tratamiento 1 (T1-inmunovacuna), tratamiento 2 (T2-histovacuna) y tratamiento 3 (T3-plasmaterapia). Resultados. Al inicio del estudio se encontró una alta incidencia de papilomas en las hembras bovinas [(T1 (190 papilomas), T2 (95 papilomas) y T3 (100 papilomas)]. Con la administración de la vacuna autógena disminuyó significativamente (T1 y T3) el número de papilomas a través de las aplicaciones de la 1 (147 y 66 papilomas) a la 5 (10 y 9 papilomas); (p<0.05). También existió una diferencia significativa entre tratamientos de acuerdo al periodo de aplicación de la vacuna (3 a la 5) disminuyendo el número de papilomas (efecto periodo; p<0.05). Por su parte, se observó una interacción tratamiento x periodo disminuyendo el número de papilomas en la cuarta y quinta administración (T1 y T3; p<0.05). Conclusiones. La administración repetida de la vacuna autógena en las hembras bovinas disminuyó el número de papilomas entre la cuarta y quinta aplicación en los tratamientos 1 y 3

Isolation of bacteria from pulque with probiotic potential

Objective: Starting pulque, isolate bacteria with probiotic potential for animal nutrition. Design/methodology/approach: 500 mL of pulque were sampled and collected from the municipalities: Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla; Otumba and Tequexquinahuac, State of Mexico. To samples the pH, humidity, ash, protein were determined and morphologically, the bacterial colonies were isolated and identified. Also, the colony strains that underwent Gram staining and the catalase test were preselected. Finally, the bacterial strains with probiotic potential, resistance to pH, bile salts and antimicrobial activity were selected. Results: From the pulque samples by municipality, a pH, humidity, ash and protein were obtained from Tlatlauquitepec (3.3, 96.17 %, 5.98 % and 0.352 g/100 mL-1), Otumba (3.25, 97.67 % and 0.1763 g/100 mL-1) and Tequexquinahuac (2.25, 97.55 %, 4.65 % and 0.1765 g/100 mL-1). Likewise, 6 different strains were isolated: C2, C3 and C4; Tequexquinahuac, C5 and C6; Otumba and C1; Tlatlauquitepec. On the other hand, it was found that the C1 strain was able to grow at a pH of 3.0 with survival of 84 % and 73 % in bile salts. Finally, the C1 strain did not show antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25922 and Salmonella typhimutium ATCC 14028. Study limitations/implications: Pulque bacterias have probiotic characteristics that can be used for animal feed. Findings/conclusions: It was found that the C1 strain grew at a pH of 3.0 and showed a high survival percentage, which can be used as a probiotic in animal feed.Objective: To isolate bacteria from pulque with probiotic potential for animal feed. Design/Methodology/Approximation: Samples were taken from pulque in the municipalities Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla; Otumba and Tequexquináhuac, Estado de México. For the samples, pH, moisture, ash, and protein were determined. The bacteria colonies were isolated and identified morphologically. Gram dyeing and the catalase test were conducted in pre-selected strains from colonies. In the end, strains with probiotic potential, resistance to pH, biliary salts and antimicrobial activity were identified. Results: For pH, moisture, ash, and protein in pulque samples from Tlatlauquitepec, the results were 3.3, 96.17%, 5.98% and 0.352 g 100 mL-1; from Otumba, 3.25, 97.67% and 0.1763 g 100 mL-1; and from Tequexquináhuac, 2.25, 97.55%, 4.65% and 0.1765 g 100 mL-1. Six different strains were isolated (C2, C3 and C4 in Tequexquináhuac; C5 and C6 in Otumba; and C1 in Tlatlauquitepec). It was found that strain C1 could grow in a pH of 3.0 with survival of 84 % and 73% in biliary salts. Study Limitations/Implications: Bacteria from pulque present probiotic characteristics that can be used for animal feed. Findings/Conclusions: Strain C1 grew in pH of 3.0 and showed high percentage of survival, which is why it can be used as probiotic in animal feed

Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents’ growth and development

Optimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being1–6. Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5–19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m–2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods: We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5-19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI &lt;18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For school-aged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI &lt;2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI &gt;2 SD above the median). Findings: From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation: The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity. Funding: UK Medical Research Council, UK Research and Innovation (Research England), UK Research and Innovation (Innovate UK), and European Union