Genetic identification and pedigree control on horses through microsatellite DNA sequences

Ponencia publicada en ITEA, vol.104El Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria de Algete (LCV) ha sido nombrado centro de referencia para la realización de análisis de marcadores genéticos y la homologación de las técnicas para la identificación y el control de filiación en équidos, con el fin de garantizar las genealogías de los animales inscritos en los libros genealógicos (Real Decreto 662/2007). A partir de ese momento, se ha desarrollado un protocolo de trabajo que cubre la totalidad de los pasos a seguir desde la recogida de muestras en el campo hasta la recepción final de los resultados por parte de la asociación de ganaderos. La metodología empleada utiliza los medios más avanzados y tiene establecidos una serie de puntos de control para poder detectar los errores que pudieran producirse tanto en la recogida de muestras como en la transmisión de la información que a éstas debe acompañar para su posterior análisis. La optimización de la metodología empleada posibilita procesar un número elevado de muestras en un corto espacio de tiempo con una gran fiabilidad en los resultados obtenidos. El análisis al que se someten las muestras incluye 18 marcadores microsatélite de ADN, amplificados en una reacción única de PCR, elegidos de la lista propuesta por la ISAG (Intenational Society for Animal Genetics). Se dispone, además, de dos paneles adicionales compuestos de 22 y 8 nuevos marcadores respectivamente, que son utilizados en los casos en que se necesita una mayor capacidad de exclusión o para llevar a cabo estudios de genealogías con datos de progenitores procedentes de otros laboratorios donde utilicen estos marcadores, algo bastante habitual en las razas equinas en las que existe gran movimiento de animales entre distintos países.Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete (LCV) has been appointed as a referral center for the analysis of genetic markers and certification of techniques for the identification and genealogical control in horses, in order to guarantee the genealogies of the animals entered in studbooks (Royal Decree 662/2007). Since then, it has developed a working protocol covering all the steps to follow from the collection of samples in the field until receipt of the final results by the breeders’ association. The methodology uses the most advanced and has established a series of checkpoints in order to detect any errors that may occur in both the sample collection and transmission of information that must accompany them for later analysis. The optimization methodology enables to process a large number of samples in a short time with great reliability in the results. The analysis that the samples are submitted includes 18 microsatellite DNA markers, amplified in a single PCR reaction, chosen from the list proposed by the ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics). It also provides two additional panels composed of 8 and 22 new markers, respectively, which are used in cases where there is a need for increased capacity of exclusion or to conduct studies pedigrees with data from parents from other laboratories where use these markers, which is quite common in horse races where there is great movement of animals between countries

Synthesis, Performance and Emission Quality Assessment of Ecodiesel from Castor Oil in Diesel/Biofuel/Alcohol Triple Blends in a Diesel Engine

This research aims to promote the use of second-generation biofuels based mainly on Castor oil, which is not adequate for food use, and Sunflower oil as a standard reference for recycled oils. They have been applied in the production of Ecodiesel, a biofuel that integrates glycerol as monoglyceride, employing sodium methoxide as homogeneous catalyst and ethanol as solvent, but operating in milder conditions than in the synthesis of conventional biodiesel in order to obtain a kinetic control of the selective transesterification. The behavior of biofuels has been evaluated in a conventional diesel engine, operating as an electricity generator. The contamination degree was also evaluated from the opacity values of the generated smokes. The different biofuels here studied have practically no differences in the behavior with respect to the power generated, although a small increase in the fuel consumption was obtained in some cases. However, with the biofuels employed, a significant reduction, up to 40%, in the emission of pollutants is obtained, mainly with the blend diesel/castor oil/alcohol. Besides, it is found that pure Castor oil can be employed directly as biofuel in triple blends diesel/biofuel/alcohol, exhibiting results that are very close to those obtained using biodiesel or Ecodiesel

El cabalgamiento Finiserravallense del Norte de Sierra Arana (Cordillera Bética). Observaciones sobre la caracterización bioestratigráfica del Serravallense

Al N. de Sierra Arana se reconocen una serie de ventanas tectónicas en las que afloran margas Serravallenses y calcarenitas del Langhense superior-Serravallense inferior, bajo unas dolomías que presentan, en la base, intercalaciones de rocas subvolcánicas básicas. Los materiales cabalgantes parecen pertenecer a la unidad de Sierra Arana, o a alguna otra directamente relacionada con ella, aún cuando están separados del conjunto por un importante accidente de desgarre que discurre al pie de la ladera N. de dicha sierra. El cabalgamiento, de una magnitud mínima estimada de 2'5 Km., se produjo entre el Serravallense superior y el Tortonense basal.In the northern part of Sierra Arana several tectonic windows have been recognized. Serravallian marls and upper Langhian - lower Serravallian calcarenites are overthrusted by dolomites with basic subvolcanic rocks interbedded in their lower part. The allochtonous rocks must belong to the Sierra Arana unit, or to some other unit' directly connected with it, even if no stratigrafic continuity between them can be ascertained because of an important strike-slip fault bordering the northern foot of the Sierra Arana massif. Tectonic superposition has an amplitude of 2'5 Km. or more and took place during the upper Serravallian or the lowermost Tortonian

El Neógeno del Valle de los Guájares (Cordillera Bética, Granada)

El estudio llevado a cabo sobre las características litoestratigráficas, el contenido faunístico y la edad de los materiales neógenos del Valle de los Guájares, pone de manifiesto la presencia de materiales del Serravallense y del Tortonense, además de los correspondientes al Plioceno (?) - Cuaternario. Las deformaciones de tales materiales se deben esencialmente a fracturas con saltos tanto horizontales como verticales, que controlaron en buena medida el relieve y la sedimentación. A partir de estos datos y de otros de carácter regional se aborda la evolución geológica del sector, posterior a la estructuración esencial de la Cordillera Bética durante el Mioceno inferior. A este respecto se pueden destacar dos fases deformacionales: una fase finiserravallense, responsable de algunas fallas inversas que afectan a las margas pelágicas serravallenses y a los materiales alpujárrides y, probablemente, también responsable del nacimiento de sistemas de fallas, las cuales podrían ya controlar la sedimentación; segunda fase intratortonense que produce discordancia angular entre los materiales tortonenses así como una nueva actividad, principalmente con desplazamientos verticales, de los sistemas de fallas previamente formados. Los materiales del Plioceno (?) - Cuaternario muestran igualmente evidencias de movimientos tectónicos recientes en los que prevalecen los desplazamientos verticales sobre los horizontales.The geological study, lead upon the lithostratigraphic characteristics, the faunistic content and the age of the neogene materials from the Guájares valley reveals the presence of terranes belonging to the Serravallian and the Tortonian, besides the ones corresponding to the Pliocene (?) - Quaternary. The deformation features of such materials are essentially due to faults showing both horizontal and vertical slips, which strongly controlled the relief and the deposition. From these data and others of regional character we envisage the geological evolution of the area, once the main structuration of the Betic Cordilleras during the lower Miocene was already accomplished. In this regard two deformational phases stand out: a finiserravallian phase, responsible for sorne reverse faults concerning serravallian pelagic marls and alpujarride materials and, probably also and for the birth of important fault systems which could already control the sedimentation; which a second one, the intratortonian phase, which yields an angular unconformity within the tortonian materials as well as a new activity, mainly with vertical displacements, of the previous fault systems. The Pliocene (?)- Quaternary deposits provide also evidence of recent tectonic movements, the vertical slips being prevalent over the horizontal ones.Trabajo realizado dentro del Proyecto «El Borde Mediterráneo español: Evolución del Orógeno bético y geodinámica de las depresiones neógenas», realizado por el Departamento de Investigaciones Geológicas, C.S.I.C. y financiado por C.A.I.C.YT. y C.S.I.C

Effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors in clinical practice: Hepatitis C virus patients with advanced fibrosis

AIM: To evaluates the effectiveness and safety of the first generation, NS3/4A protease inhibitors (PIs) in clinical practice against chronic C virus, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis. METHODS: Prospective study and non-experimental analysis of a multicentre cohort of 38 Spanish hospitals that includes patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, treatment-nai¨ve (TN) or treatment-experienced (TE), who underwent triple therapy with the first generation NS3/4A protease inhibitors, boceprevir (BOC) and telaprevir (TVR), in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The patients were treatment in routine practice settings. Data on the study population and on adverse clinical and virologic effects were compiled during the treatment period and during follow up. RESULTS: One thousand and fifty seven patients were included, 405 (38%) were treated with BOC and 652 (62%) with TVR. Of this total, 30% (n = 319) were TN and the remaining were TE: 28% (n = 298) relapsers, 12% (n = 123) partial responders (PR), 25% (n = 260) null-responders (NR) and for 5% (n = 57) with prior response unknown. The rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) by intention-to-treatment (ITT) was greater in those treated with TVR (65%) than in those treated with BOC (52%) (P < 0.0001), whereas by modified intention-to-treatment (mITT) no were found significant differences. By degree of fibrosis, 56% of patients were F4 and the highest SVR rates were recorded in the non-F4 patients, both TN and TE. In the analysis by groups, the TN patients treated with TVR by ITT showed a higher SVR (P = 0.005). However, by mITT there were no significant differences between BOC and TVR. In the multivariate analysis by mITT, the significant SVR factors were relapsers, IL28B CC and non-F4; the type of treatment (BOC or TVR) was not significant. The lowest SVR values were presented by the F4-NR patients, treated with BOC (46%) or with TVR (45%). 28% of the patients interrupted the treatment, mainly by non-viral response (51%): this outcome was more frequent in the TE than in the TN patients (57% vs 40%, P = 0.01). With respect to severe haematological disorders, neutropaenia was more likely to affect the patients treated with BOC (33% vs 20%, P = 0.0001), and thrombocytopaenia and anaemia, the F4 patients (P = 0.000, P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: In a real clinical practice setting with a high proportion of patients with advanced fibrosis, effectiveness of first-generation PIs was high except for NR patients, with similar SVR rates being achieved by BOC and TVR

Innovación y estrategias de intervención en acoso escolar

Los problemas de convivencia escolar, violencia escolar, bullying y cyberbullying, en los centros españoles son una realidad y, por tanto, es necesario que los futuros docentes cuenten con estrategias específicas para el abordaje de estas situaciones cuando se enfrenten a la realidad de las aulas. En este manual, profesionales del área de la convivencia escolar presentan las actuaciones, programas y herramientas disponibles que en estos momentos se están poniendo en práctica en los centros escolares con resultados positivos. Así, se pretende ampliar el conocimiento teórico-práctico en el ámbito de la convivencia, gestión de conflictos y violencia escolar.EducaciónPsicologí

Percutaneous mitral valve repair : Outcome improvement with operator experience and a second-generation device

Background and aim: Recent randomized data comparing percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) versus optimal medical treatment in patients with functional MR (FMR) seemed to highlight the importance of the learning curve not only for procedural outcomes but also for patient selection. The aim of the study was to compare a contemporary series of patients undergoing PMVR using a second-generation Mitraclip device (Mitraclip NT) with previous cohorts treated with a first-generation system. Methods: This multicenter study collected individual data from 18 centers between 2012 and 2017. The cohort was divided into three groups according to the use of the first-generation Mitraclip during the first (control-1) or second half (control-2) or the Mitraclip NT sys-tem. Results: A total of 545 consecutive patients were included in the study. Among all, 182 (33.3%), 183 (33.3%), and 180 (33.3%) patients underwent mitral repair in the control-1, control-2, and NT cohorts, respectively. Procedural success was achieved in 93.3% of patients without differences between groups. Major adverse events did not statistically differ among groups, but there was a higher rate of pericardial effusion in the control-1 group (4.3%, 0.6%, and 2.6%, respectively; p = 0.025). The composite endpoint of death, surgery, and admission for congestive heart failure (CHF) at 12 months was lower in the NT group (23.5% in control-1, 22.5% in control-2, and 8.3% in the NT group; p = 0.032). Conclusions: The present paper shows that contemporary clinical outcomes of patients undergoing PMVR with the Mitraclip system have improved over time

High-resolution study of Gamow-Teller excitations in the Ca42(He3,t)Sc42 reaction and the observation of a “low-energy super-Gamow-Teller state”

Y. Fujita et al.; 15 pags.; 6 figs.; 7 tabs.; PACS number(s): 21.10.Hw, 25.55.Kr, 27.40.+z, 25.40.Ep© 2015 American Physical Society. To study the Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions from the Tz=+1 nucleus Ca42 to the Tz=0 nucleus Sc42, where Tz is the z component of isospin T, we performed a (p,n)-type (He3,t) charge-exchange reaction at 140 MeV/nucleon and scattering angles around 0. With an energy resolution of 29 keV, states excited by GT transitions (GT states) could be studied accurately. The reduced GT transition strengths B(GT) were derived up to the excitation energy of 13 MeV, assuming the proportionality between the cross sections at 0 and B(GT) values. The main part of the observed GT transition strength is concentrated in the lowest 0.611-MeV, Jπ=1+ GT state. All the other states at higher energies are weakly excited. Shell-model calculations could reproduce the gross feature of the experimental B(GT) distribution, and random-phase-approximation calculations including an attractive isoscalar interaction showed that the 0.611-MeV state has a collective nature. It was found that this state has all of the properties of a >low-energy super-Gamow-Teller state.> It is expected that low-lying Jπ=1+ GT states have T=0 in the Tz=0 nucleus Sc42. However, T=1 states are situated in a higher energy region. Assuming an isospin-analogous structure in A=42 isobars, analogous T=1, 1+ states are also expected in Ca42. Comparing the Ca42(He3,t)Sc42 and Ca42(p,p′) spectra measured at 0, candidates for T=1 GT states could be found in the 10-12-MeV region of Sc42. They were all weakly excited. The mass dependence of the GT strength distributions in Sc isotopes is also discussed.Y.F. also acknowledges the support of MEXT, Japan under Grants No. 18540270, No. 22540310, and No. 15K05104. Y.F. and B.R. are grateful for the support of the Japan-Spain collaboration program by JSPS and CSIC; A.A., E.E.A., and B.R. are thankful for the support of Spanish Ministry under Grants No. FPA2005-03993, No. FPA2008-06419-C02-01, and No. FPA2011-24553. G.S. acknowledges the support of TUBITAK, Turkey under Research Scholarship No. BIDEB 2214. J.M.D., C.J.G., R.M., G.P., and R.G.T.Z. are grateful for the support of the US NSF under Grants No. PHY-0606007 and No. PHY-0822648 (JINA). M.C., J.G., and A.K. acknowledge the support of the OTKA Foundation, Hungary, under Grant No. K106035. This work was in part supported by the RIKENCNS joint research project on large-scale nuclear-structure calculations.Peer Reviewe

Guía de actuación en las anomalías de la diferenciación sexual (ADS) / desarrollo sexual diferente (DSD)

Las anomalías de la diferenciación sexual (ADS) engloban un amplio espectro de discordancias entre los criterios cromosómico, gonadal y fenotípico (genital) que definen la diferenciación sexual; actualmente, se aboga por la denominación de «desarrollo sexual diferente» (DSD). Su origen es congénito; se clasifican en función de los cromosomas sexuales presentes en el cariotipo; las causas genéticas conocidas son muy diversas y heterogéneas, aunque algunos casos pueden ser secundarios a factores maternos o medioambientales. Su diagnóstico y tratamiento requieren siempre una atención médica y psicosocial multidisciplinar. El diagnóstico etiológico precisa la interacción entre las exploraciones clínicas, bioquímicas (hormonales), genéticas, de imagen y, eventualmente, quirúrgicas. El tratamiento debe abordar la asignación de género, la posible necesidad de tratamiento hormonal substitutivo (suprarrenal si hay insuficiencia suprarrenal y con esteroides sexuales si hay insuficiencia gonadal a partir de la edad puberal), la necesidad de intervenciones quirúrgicas sobre las estructuras genitales (actualmente se tiende a diferirlas) y/o sobre las gónadas (en función de los riesgos de malignización), la necesidad de apoyo psicosocial y, finalmente, una adecuada programación de la transición a la atención médica en las especialidades de adultos. Las asociaciones de personas afectadas tienen un papel fundamental en el apoyo a familias y la interacción con los medios profesionales y sociales. La utilización de Registros y la colaboración entre profesionales en Grupos de Trabajo de sociedades médicas nacionales e internacionales es fundamental para avanzar en mejorar los medios diagnósticos y terapéuticos que precisan los DSD.Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) include a wide range of anomalies among the chromosomal, gonadal, and phenotypic (genital) characteristics that define sexual differentiation. At present, a definition as Different Sexual Development (DSD) is currently preferred. They originate in the pre-natal stage, are classified according to the sex chromosomes present in the karyotype. The known genetic causes are numerous and heterogeneous, although, in some cases, they may be secondary to maternal factors and/or exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The diagnosis and treatment of DSD always requires multidisciplinary medical and psychosocial care. An aetiological diagnosis needs the interaction of clinical, biochemical (hormonal), genetic, imaging and, sometimes, surgical examinations. The treatment should deal with sex assignment, the possible need for hormone replacement therapy (adrenal if adrenal function is impaired, and with sex steroids from pubertal age if gonadal function is impaired), as well as the need for surgery on genital structures (currently deferred when possible) and/or on gonads (depending on the risk of malignancy), the need of psychosocial support and, finally, an adequate organisation of the transition to adult medical specialties. Patient Support Groups have a fundamental role in the support of families, as well as the interaction with professional and social media. The use of Registries and the collaboration between professionals in Working Groups of national and international medical societies are crucial for improving the diagnostic and therapeutic tools required for the care of patients with DSD

Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020.

Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3–5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited