Enzootic bovine leukosis: performance of an indirect ELISA applied in serological diagnosis

Bovine Leukosis Virus (EBLV) is a widely distributed pathogen agent in the bovine population of many countries, especially in dairy cattle. Once the bovine is infected, it remains as a virus carrier for life and such state is correlated with a specific antibody detectable level. In this study the evaluation of an indirect ELISA (Leucokit-La Plata) to detect antibodies against EBLV is presented. Comparing it with the Immunodiffusion as gold standard test, the sensitivity is 98.93%, the specificity 79.74%, the negative predictive value 99.56% and the positive predictive value 61.26%. The correspondence between both tests is 83.9% which is similar to the result mentioned by other authors (82.2%). The concordance was evaluated by calculating Kappa and Youden's J coefficients, obtaining values classified as good for both coefficients. Comparing Leucokit-La Plata and another commercial reference kit (Chekit Leucotest Bommeli AG, Bern Switzerland), the sensitivity (97.05%), specificity (94.11%), negative predictive value (92.30%) and positive predictive value (97.77%), were obtained. Applying Kappa and Jouden's Index (J) coefficients an almost perfect concordance was obtained between both kits. The Leucokit-La Plata is appropriate to apply to the commercialization of live bovines to export, bovine selection for hemo-vaccines and the implementation of control and eradication programmes.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Enzootic bovine leukosis: performance of an indirect ELISA applied in serological diagnosis

Bovine Leukosis Virus (EBLV) is a widely distributed pathogen agent in the bovine population of many countries, especially in dairy cattle. Once the bovine is infected, it remains as a virus carrier for life and such state is correlated with a specific antibody detectable level. In this study the evaluation of an indirect ELISA (Leucokit-La Plata) to detect antibodies against EBLV is presented. Comparing it with the Immunodiffusion as gold standard test, the sensitivity is 98.93%, the specificity 79.74%, the negative predictive value 99.56% and the positive predictive value 61.26%. The correspondence between both tests is 83.9% which is similar to the result mentioned by other authors (82.2%). The concordance was evaluated by calculating Kappa and Youden's J coefficients, obtaining values classified as good for both coefficients. Comparing Leucokit-La Plata and another commercial reference kit (Chekit Leucotest Bommeli AG, Bern Switzerland), the sensitivity (97.05%), specificity (94.11%), negative predictive value (92.30%) and positive predictive value (97.77%), were obtained. Applying Kappa and Jouden's Index (J) coefficients an almost perfect concordance was obtained between both kits. The Leucokit-La Plata is appropriate to apply to the commercialization of live bovines to export, bovine selection for hemo-vaccines and the implementation of control and eradication programmes.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Diseño de un curso de e-learning en cartografía temática

Los grandes avances en las nuevas tecnologías, evidentes en materias técnicas y científicas, repercuten también en campos menos visibles para los profesionales de la topografía y cartografía. La educación también se ve afectada y, como consecuencia de ello, surgen nuevas modalidades de enseñanza como el e-learning. Su potencial es incuestionable, pues rompe con barreras espaciales y temporales. Sin embargo, plantear cursos de este tipo no está exento de dificultades, pues exige una adaptación a las particularidades del medio y establecer un nuevo modelo de enseñanza-aprendizaje. En esta exposición se presentan las consideraciones realizadas por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid en el diseño de un curso e-learning de Cartografía Temática ofrecido por el Instituto Geográfico Nacional, incidiendo en las ventajas de aplicar estándares en la gestión de contenidos y el uso de plataformas educativas virtuales que los acepten

Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Cancer

Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, is a global concern. This study focuses on the evaluation of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab combination therapy as a promising alternative in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The objectives of this systematic review include evaluating the efficacy of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab combination therapy compared to conventional therapies with Sorafenib and other conventional therapies, analyzing the associated adverse effects, and exploring prognostic factors in the setting of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. A systematic literature review was carried out using the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Fifteen related articles were included and evaluated according to their level of evidence and recommendation. Results: The combination therapy of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab, along with Sorafenib, showed positive results in the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Significant adverse effects were identified, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, arterial hypertension, and proteinuria, which require careful attention. In addition, prognostic factors, such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and vascular invasion, were highlighted as key indicators of hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Conclusions: The combination of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab is shown to be effective in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, although it is essential to take into consideration the associated adverse effects. The prognostic factors identified may provide valuable information for the clinical management of this disease. This study provides a comprehensive overview of a promising emerging therapy for liver cancer.Medicin

A rapid and sensitive diagnosis of bovine leukaemia virus infection using the nested shuttle polymerase chain reaction

Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). In Argentina, where a program to eradicate EBL has been introduced, sensitive and reliable diagnosis has attained high priority. Although the importance of the agar gel immunodiffusion test remains unchanged for routine work, an additional diagnostic technique is necessary to confirm cases of sera with equivocal results or of calves carrying maternal antibodies. Utilizing a nested shuttle polymerase chain reaction, the proviral DNA was detected from cows experimentally infected with as little as 5 ml of whole blood from BLV seropositive cows that were nonetheless normal in haematological terms. It proved to be a very sensitive technique, since it rapidly revealed the presence of the provirus, frequently at 2 weeks postinoculation and using a two-round procedure of nested PCR taking only 3 hours. Additionally, the primers used flanked a portion of the viral genome often employed to differentiate BLV type applying BamHI digestion. It is concluded that this method might offer a highly promising diagnostic tool for BLV infection.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Micropropagation, Characterization, and Conservation of Phytophthora cinnamomi-Tolerant Holm Oak Mature Trees

Holm oak populations have deteriorated drastically due to oak decline syndrome. The first objective of the present study was to investigate the use of axillary budding and somatic embryogenesis (SE) to propagate asymptomatic holm oak genotypes identified in disease hotspots in Spain. Axillary budding was achieved in two out of six tolerant genotypes from the south-western region and in two out of four genotypes from the Mediterranean region. Rooting of shoots cultured on medium supplemented with 3 mg L 121 of indole-3-acetic acid plus 0.1 mg L 121 a-naphthalene acetic acid was achieved, with rates ranging from 8 to 36%. Shoot cultures remained viable after cold storage for 9-12 months; this procedure is therefore suitable for medium-term conservation of holm oak germplasm. SE was induced in two out of the three genotypes tested, by using nodes and shoot tips cultured in medium without plant growth regulators. In vitro cloned progenies of the tolerant genotypes PL-T2 and VA5 inhibited growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi mycelia when exposed to the oomycete in vitro. Significant differences in total phenol contents and in the expression profiles of genes regulating phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were observed between in vitro cultured shoots derived from tolerant trees and cultures established from control genotypes

Seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia

This study determined seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus and investigated the risk factors with the seropositivity of the virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia. Ninety-eight farms in five different provinces in Santa Cruz Department were visited to study 1823 dairy cattle. Questionnaire interviews, blood sampling and inspection of skin were performed at each study farm. Individual-cattle sera were analysed using the agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) diagnostic method for the detection of antibody against bovine leukaemia virus. The overall percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus was 29% (95% confidence interval: 27-31%). One percent of the study dairy cattle had the subcutaneous lesions. There were statistical differences for percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle between provinces (p<0.001). The seropositivity in relation to the existence of subcutaneous lesions indicated statistical significance (p = 0.023). Knowledge of the provincial difference of seropositivity against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle would be used to determine the resource allocation for preventive measures in the study area. In the preventive measures, serological tests against bovine leukaemia virus for the cattle with subcutaneous lesions, which would be a potential indicator of the infection of bovine leukaemia, should be prioritised.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Avian adenovirus. Precipitants antibodies response

Se realizó la Inoculación experimental con Adenovirus aviar (serotipo 1) a pollos de 1 día de edad y adultos (11 a 24 semanas de edad). En los pollitos B.B. la respuesta de anticuerpos es más lenta (segunda semana postinoculación) comparado con la respuesta en animales de mayor edad, donde se hace evidente a la primera semana postinoculación. El titulo de anticuerpos es también mayor en animales adultos al igual que la proporción de animales infectados. Pollitos B.B. con anticuerpos maternales pueden ser infectados desarrollando anticuerpos más tardíamente (cuarta semana post-inoculación).Experimental inoculation with avian Adenovirus (serotvpe 1) was carried out in one day old chickens and in adults (eleven and twenty four weeks old). Response to antibodies is slower in B.B. chickens (second weeks postinoculation) as compared to response In older animals where this is evident in first week postinoculation. Not only the title of antibodies but also the proportion of infected animals is greater in adults animals. B. B. chickens with maternal antibodies may be Infected developing antibodies later (fourth week postinoculation).Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia

This study determined seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus and investigated the risk factors with the seropositivity of the virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia. Ninety-eight farms in five different provinces in Santa Cruz Department were visited to study 1823 dairy cattle. Questionnaire interviews, blood sampling and inspection of skin were performed at each study farm. Individual-cattle sera were analysed using the agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) diagnostic method for the detection of antibody against bovine leukaemia virus. The overall percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus was 29% (95% confidence interval: 27-31%). One percent of the study dairy cattle had the subcutaneous lesions. There were statistical differences for percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle between provinces (p<0.001). The seropositivity in relation to the existence of subcutaneous lesions indicated statistical significance (p = 0.023). Knowledge of the provincial difference of seropositivity against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle would be used to determine the resource allocation for preventive measures in the study area. In the preventive measures, serological tests against bovine leukaemia virus for the cattle with subcutaneous lesions, which would be a potential indicator of the infection of bovine leukaemia, should be prioritised.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Avian adenovirus. Precipitants antibodies response

Se realizó la Inoculación experimental con Adenovirus aviar (serotipo 1) a pollos de 1 día de edad y adultos (11 a 24 semanas de edad). En los pollitos B.B. la respuesta de anticuerpos es más lenta (segunda semana postinoculación) comparado con la respuesta en animales de mayor edad, donde se hace evidente a la primera semana postinoculación. El titulo de anticuerpos es también mayor en animales adultos al igual que la proporción de animales infectados. Pollitos B.B. con anticuerpos maternales pueden ser infectados desarrollando anticuerpos más tardíamente (cuarta semana post-inoculación).Experimental inoculation with avian Adenovirus (serotvpe 1) was carried out in one day old chickens and in adults (eleven and twenty four weeks old). Response to antibodies is slower in B.B. chickens (second weeks postinoculation) as compared to response In older animals where this is evident in first week postinoculation. Not only the title of antibodies but also the proportion of infected animals is greater in adults animals. B. B. chickens with maternal antibodies may be Infected developing antibodies later (fourth week postinoculation).Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria