Caloplaca cerina en los Pirineos de Huesca.

A. R. BURGAZ, E ARENAl.. y. GoNZÁlEZ ANO E. ESTEvE-RAvENTóS. 1999. Caloplaca cerina en los Pirineos de Huesca. Bol, Conípluíensis 23: 5357 Se estudia una población de Calopíaca ce/ma (Ehrh. ex Hedwig) Th. Fr. procedente del piso subalpino de los Pirineos oscenses que presenta ascosporas con un grosor del septo inIrecuente. Se incluyen fotografías de los caracteres más destacables.A. R. BtRGAz, F. ARENAL, V. CONZÁLEz AND F. ESTEvE-RAvENTóS. 1999. Caloplaca cer/na ín thc Pyrenees mountains of Huesca Province. Eot, Complutensis 23: 53-57. A population of Caloplaca cerina (Ehrh. ex t-ledwig) Th. Fr. from the subalpine belt in Huesca Province with an infrequent ascospore septum thickness is studied. Macro and microphotographs of the most striking features are added

NIVEL DE PROTECCIÓN DE UNA VACUNA INTERMEDIA CONTRA LA ENFERMEDAD DE GUMBORO EN AVES DE POSTURA.

This study evaluated the protection conferred by a vaccine against Gumboro disease in laying hens. Three hundred Isa Brown one-day-old chicks were equally distributed in three groups. Groups A and B were vaccinated, twice, at 9 and 24 days old with an intermediate-intermediate strain (2512), and group C remained unvaccinated. Groups B and C were challenged at 32 days old with the F52/70 strain through the eye. Bursal index, bursa/spleen relationship and microscopic lesions of the bursa, spleen and thymus after vaccination were evaluated at 1, 35 and 45 days old. Antibody titers by an indirect ELISA study but not in birds of groups A and B. The bursal index values in the three groups were compatible with bursal atrophy. Histopathological lesions were severe in the three groups. At 45 days of age, birds of group C had the major seroconvertion (3997), while groups A and B presented similar antibodies titers. It is concluded that although the use of an intermediate vaccine at 9 and 24 days old caused bursal atrophy, the vaccine also gave sufficient protection against Gumboro disease.Se evaluó la protección conferida por una vacuna contra la enfermedad de Gumboro en aves de postura comercial. Se utilizaron 300 aves Isa Brown de un día de edad, distribuidas en tres grupos de 100 aves cada uno. Los grupos A y B fueron vacunados dos veces, a los 9 y 24 días de edad, con una cepa intermedia-intermedia (2512), y el grupo C no fue vacunado. Los grupos B y C fueron desafiados a los 32 días de edad, utilizando la cepa F 52/70 por vía ocular. La patogenicidad de la cepa vacunal fue evaluada los días 1, 35 y 45 de edad mediante el índice bursal, la relación bursa/bazo y las lesiones microscópicas de bursa, bazo y timo; además, se determinaron los títulos de anticuerpos por la prueba de ELISA indirecta. Solo el grupo C presentó mortalidad y signos clínicos de Gumboro durante el estudio. Los valores de índice bursal en los tres grupos fueron compatibles con atrofia bursal; así mismo, las lesiones histopatológicas en los tres grupos fueron severas. A los 45 días de edad, el grupo C presentó la mayor seroconversión (3997), mientras que los grupos vacunados A y B presentaron títulos similares de anticuerpos. Se concluye que, si bien, el uso de una vacuna intermedia a los 9 y 24 días de edad ocasiona daño bursal compatible con atrofia, induce una buena protección contra la enfermedad de Gumboro

VIGILANCIA DIRIGIDA DE INFLUENZA AVIAR EN AVES SILVESTRES USANDO PATOS DOMÉSTICOS (Cairina moschata) COMO CENTINELAS

A targeted surveillance method was applied for the early detection of the Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) in the wild birds of the Puerto Viejo’s wetlands in Cañete, Lima, Peru. Twelve 16-week-old domestic ducks of the Muscovy variety (Cairina moschata) were used as sentinels. The ducks, with negative serology and virus isolation to AIV and Newcastle disease, were introduced to the surrounding areas of the wetlands for 70 days during the 2006 winter in order to interact with the resident wild birds. A preliminary identification of the wild bird species present during the study period was done and the interaction degree between both bird populations was subjectively determined. Health status of sentinel birds was assessed by regular clinical examinations as well as cloacal swab and blood samplings, both for virus isolation and for the detection of antibodies against the AIV by the agar gel immune-diffusion (AGID) test. Throughout the study no antibodies were detected, neither was the AIV isolated. The negative results obtained in the evaluations that were performed under the conditions of the study and the time it lasted suggest the absence of the IVA and its horizontal transmission in the populations of wild birds of the Puerto Viejo’s wetlands.Se aplicó un método de vigilancia dirigida para la detección temprana del virus de influenza aviar (VIA) en aves silvestres de los Humedales de Puerto Viejo, provincia de Cañete, departamento de Lima, Perú. Se usaron como centinelas a 12 patos domésticos de 16 semanas de edad, variedad Muscovy (Cairina moschata), negativos por serología y aislamiento viral a VIA y enfermedad de Newcastle, los cuales fueron introducidos a las zonas que circundan los humedales por un periodo de 70 días durante el invierno del 2006, con el fin de que interactúen con las aves silvestres residentes. Se realizó una identificación preliminar de las especies de aves silvestres presentes durante el estudio y se determinó subjetivamente el grado de interacción entre ambas poblaciones de aves. Se evaluó el estado sanitario de las aves centinelas mediante exámenes clínicos periódicos, muestreos de hisopados cloacales y sangre, tanto para aislamiento viral como para la detección de anticuerpos contra los VIA por la prueba de Inmunodifusión en Agar. No se detectaron anticuerpos ni se aisló VIA. Los resultados negativos obtenidos en las evaluaciones realizadas bajo las condiciones y tiempo que duró el estudio sugieren la ausencia del VIA y su transmisión horizontal por las poblaciones de aves silvestres de los humedales de Puerto Viejo

Improving Cognitive Visual-Motor Abilities in Individuals with Down Syndrome

Down syndrome causes a reduction in cognitive abilities, with visual-motor skills being particularly affected. In this work, we have focused on this skill in order to stimulate better learning. The proposal relies on stimulating the cognitive visual-motor skills of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) using exercises with a gestural interaction platform based on the KINECT sensor named TANGO:H, the goal being to improve them. To validate the proposal, an experimental single-case study method was designed using two groups: a control group and an experimental one, with similar cognitive ages. Didactic exercises were provided to the experimental group using visual cognitive stimulation. These exercises were created on the TANGO:H Designer, a platform that was designed for gestural interaction using the KINECT sensor. As a result, TANGO:H allows for visual-motor cognitive stimulation through the movement of hands, arms, feet and head. The “Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA)” was applied to both groups as a pre-test and post-test in its four reference sections: visual comprehension, visual-motor sequential memory, visual association, and visual integration. Two checks were made, one using the longitudinal comparison of the pre-test/post-test of the experimental group, and another that relied on comparing the difference of the means of the pre-test/post-test. We also used an observational methodology for the working sessions from the experimental group. Although the statistical results do not show significant differences between the two groups, the results of the observations exhibited an improvement in visual-motor cognitive skills

In vitro inhibitory activity of Acca sellowiana fruit extract on end products of advanced glycation

"Introduction Hyperglycemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, as it increases protein glycation, as well as the progressive accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are complex structures that produce fluorescence. The glycation reaction raises the levels of protein carbonyl, N ?-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), and fructosamine and decreases the level of thiol groups. Methods In the present study, the antiglycation activity was determined by fluorescence intensity using the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/glucose, CML method, and the level of fructosamine. The oxidation of proteins was determined by the carbonyl protein content and thiol groups. Results The results show that the hexane extract of Acca sellowiana (FOH) at different concentrations (0.30-5 mg/ml) significantly inhibited the formation of AGEs in the BSA/glucose model during the 4 weeks of the study. FOH reduced the levels of fructosamine and CML. Our results showed a significant effect of FOH in the prevention of oxidative damage of proteins, as well as an effect on the oxidation of thiol groups and carbonyl proteins. Conclusion The present study indicates that FOH is effective in inhibiting the glycation of proteins in vitro, so it can prevent or ameliorate the chronic conditions of diabetes associated with the formation of AGEs.

PRESENCE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS IN WILD BIRDS IN THE WETLANDS OF PUERTO VIEJO, LIMA

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la presencia del virus de influenza aviar (IA) en aves silvestres presentes en los Humedales de Puerto Viejo, en el departamento de Lima. Novecientas muestras de heces frescas de 18 especies de aves silvestres fueron colectadas desde abril de 2008 hasta febrero de 2009. Dichas muestras se analizaron mediante aislamiento viral en huevos embrionados de pollo SPF. Se logró aislar siete cepas de virus de IA de baja patogenicidad del subtipo H12N5 (seis cepas procedentes de la especie migratoria Arenaria interpres y una de la especie residente Fulica ardesiaca). La técnica de evaluación de riesgo mediante la simulación de Monte Carlo (programa @risk) indicó que la probabilidad de encontrar el virus de Influenza A en las aves silvestres de los Humedales de Puerto Viejo es de 0.88% con un intervalo de confianza de 0.15 a 2.53%. Los resultados demuestran que las aves silvestres de los Humedales de Puerto Viejo constituyen un reservorio para los virus de influenza aviar en el Perú.The objective of the study was to detect the presence of avian influenza (AI) virus in wild aquatic birds found in Puerto Viejo wetlands, Lima-Peru. Fresh faecal samples (n=900) from 18 species of wild birds were collected from April 2008 to February 2009. Samples were analyzed by virus isolation in SPF embryonated chicken eggs. Seven strains of low pathogenicity AI viruses subtype H12N5 were isolated; six from the migratory species Arenaria interpres, and one from the resident species Fulica ardesiaca. The technique of risk assessment using Monte Carlo Simulation (program @ risk) indicated that the probability of finding the AI virus in wild birds from Puerto Viejo wetlands was 0.88% with a confidence interval of 0.15 to 2.53%. The results of the study showed that wild birds from Puerto Viejo wetlands constitute a reservoir for avian influenza virus in Peru

The 3D structure of an active region filament as extrapolated from photospheric and chromospheric observations

The 3D structure of an active region (AR) filament is studied using nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) extrapolations based on simultaneous observations at a photospheric and a chromospheric height. To that end, we used the Si I 10827 \AA\ line and the He I 10830 \AA\ triplet obtained with the Tenerife Infrared Polarimeter (TIP) at the VTT (Tenerife). The two extrapolations have been carried out independently from each other and their respective spatial domains overlap in a considerable height range. This opens up new possibilities for diagnostics in addition to the usual ones obtained through a single extrapolation from, typically, a photospheric layer. Among those possibilities, this method allows the determination of an average formation height of the He I 10830 \AA\ signal of \approx 2 Mm above the surface of the sun. It allows, as well, to cross-check the obtained 3D magnetic structures in view of verifying a possible deviation from the force- free condition especially at the photosphere. The extrapolations yield a filament formed by a twisted flux rope whose axis is located at about 1.4 Mm above the solar surface. The twisted field lines make slightly more than one turn along the filament within our box, which results in 0.055 turns/Mm. The convex part of the field lines (as seen from the solar surface) constitute dips where the plasma can naturally be supported. The obtained 3D magnetic structure of the filament depends on the choice of the observed horizontal magnetic field as determined from the 180\circ solution of the azimuth. We derive a method to check for the correctness of the selected 180\circ ambiguity solution.Comment: 31 pages, 13 figures, ApJ Accepte

Effects of transcranial static magnetic field stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on random number generation

OBJECTIVE: Focal application of transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) is a neuromodulation technique, with predominantly inhibitory effects when applied to the motor, somatosensory or visual cortex. Whether this approach can also transiently interact with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) function remains unclear. The suppression of habitual or competitive responses is one of the core executive functions linked to DLPFC function. This study aimed to assess the impact of tSMS on the prefrontal contributions to inhibitory control and response selection by means of a RNG task. METHODS: We applied 20 min of tSMS over the left DLPFC of healthy subjects, using a real/sham cross-over design, during performance of a RNG task. We used an index of randomness calculated with the measures of entropy and correlation to assess the impact of stimulation on DLPFC function. RESULTS: The randomness index of the sequences generated during the tSMS intervention was significantly higher compared to those produced in the sham condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that application of tSMS transiently modulates specific functional brain networks in DLPFC, which indicate a potential use of tSMS for treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides evidence for the capacity of tSMS for modulating DLPFC function

SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST LARYNGOTRACHEITIS VIRUS IN BROILERS AND LAYER BREEDERS

Un total de 360 muestras de sueros de reproductoras de carne y postura procedentes de 18 lotes de aves, en etapa de producción, fueron examinadas con el fin de detectar la presencia de anticuerpos contra el virus de la laringotraqueitis infecciosa aviar (VLT) mediante una prueba de ELISA indirecta. Las granjas de aves estaban localizadas en la región de Lima y en la costa norte del Perú. Los sueros se colectaron entre julio de 2004 y septiembre de 2005 y fueron analizados en conjunto. Ocho de 360 sueros fueron positivos a anticuerpos contra el VLT. Teniendo en cuenta que las muestras positivas procedían de seis lotes de reproductoras y la baja positividad en estos lotes, se concluye que los 18 lotes de reproductoras analizados no mostraron evidencia serológica de exposición al VLT.A total of 360 serum samples from eighteen flocks of broiler and layer breeders in phase of production were used in order to detect the presence of Laryngotracheitis virus (VLT) antibodies using a commercial ELISA test. The poultry farms were located in the region of Lima and in the northern coast of Peru. Samples were collected from July 2004 till September 2005 and were processed as a group. Eight samples out of 360 in 6 flocks were positive to antibodies against VLT. Due to the small number of positives and the low level of antibodies was concluded than the 18 breeder flocks did not show serological evidence of exposition to VLT