Preliminary study on the existence of ocular injuries after bullfighting or fire bull

The vision of the bull is the cornerstone of the celebration in which it is the protagonist, both when it is fought and when it is “embolado” in popular festivities. An alteration of the vision could suppose an excessive danger for the animal and for the one that faces him. The bullfight and the fire bull are traditions that present controversy between certain groups of people, for that reason, the present study aims to determine if there are ocular injuries in the bulls after both activities. For this work we use a total of 50 eyes, 40 from 20 fighting bull and 10 from 5 fire bulls. After the macroscopic and microscopic study carried out with fluorescein tests, ultrasounds, dissection and histological processing of all the samples, the results obtained revealed, in the case of the 40 fighting bulls eyes, that only two presented ulcers, two corneal opacities and one adhesions in the iris along with an anterior synechiae, and of the 10 eyes of fire bulls, only one bull presented an ulcer in one eye as well as corneal opacity in both eyes. In relation to histology and ultrasound, no alterations were observed. From the results obtained, we can deduced that no macroscopic lesions occur in the cornea of the bulls due to their activity, that the animals grappled, despite little alterations that may occur before the fight, do not compromise their functionality, and that none of the animals presents lesions in the internal structures of the eyes.Veterinari

Estudio para la certificación energética del edificio TR7 del Campus UPC de Terrassa

El trabajo que se presenta a continuación trata de realizar un estudio mediante métodos simplificados, con el fin de obtener el certificado energético de un edificio en nuestro caso existente. Dicho estudio, no se limitará a realizar un simple certificado del edificio a estudiar, sino que tratará de realizar una certificación simplificada, y una exhaustiva del mismo. De esta forma se podrá comprobar, en función del tiempo requerido para cada una de ellas y la calidad obtenida, que es, en definitiva, el resultado de la certificación energética, las diferencias entre ambas. Por otro lado, mediante una base de datos real, podremos extraer los consumos reales del edificio y compararlos con los obtenidos mediante las modelizaciones expuestas previamente

Random encounter model is a reliable method for estimating population density of multiple species using camera traps

Population density estimates are important for wildlife conservation and management. Several camera trapping-based methods for estimating densities have been developed, one of which, the random encounter model (REM), has been widely applied due to its practical advantages such as no need for species-specific study design. Nevertheless, most of the studies in which REM has been assessed against referenced methods have sampled one population, precluding evaluation of the circumstances under which REM does or does not perform well. At this point, a review of all REM assessments could be useful to provide an overview of method reliability and highlight the main factors determining REM performance. Here we used a combination of literature review and empirical study to compare the performance of REM with independent methods. We reviewed 34 studies where REM was applied to 45 species, reporting 77 REM-reference density comparisons; and we also sampled 13 populations (ungulates and lagomorphs) in which we assessed REM performance against independent densities. The results suggested that appropriate procedures to estimate REM parameters (namely day range, detection zone and encounter rate) are mandatory to obtain unbiased densities. Deficient estimates of day range and encounter rate lead to an overestimation of density, while deficient estimates of detection zone conducted to underestimations. Finally, the precision achieved by REM was lower than reference methods, mainly because of the high levels of spatial aggregation observed in natural populations. In this situation, simulation-based results suggest that c. 60 camera placements should be sampled to achieve acceptable precision (i.e. coefficient of variation below 0.20). The wide range of situations and scenarios included in this study allow us to conclude that REM is a reliable method for estimating wildlife population density when using appropriate estimates of REM parameters and sampling designs. Overall, these results pave the way to wider application of REM for monitoring terrestrial mammals

Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Wound Infection with a Fluidic Paper Device

Chronic wounds; Infection biomarker; Myeloperoxidase; ColorimetryFerides i lesions; Biomarcadors d'infecció; Mieloperoxidasa; ColorimetriaHeridas crónicas; Biomarcador de infección; Mieloperoxidasa; ColorimetríaCurrent procedures for the assessment of chronic wound infection are time-consuming and require complex instruments and trained personnel. The incidence of chronic wounds worldwide, and the associated economic burden, urge for simple and cheap point-of-care testing (PoCT) devices for fast on-site diagnosis to enable appropriate early treatment. The enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), whose activity in infected wounds is about ten times higher than in non-infected wounds, appears to be a suitable biomarker for wound infection diagnosis. Herein, we develop a single-component foldable paper-based device for the detection of MPO in wound fluids. The analyte detection is achieved in two steps: (i) selective immunocapture of MPO, and (ii) reaction of a specific dye with the captured MPO, yielding a purple color with increasing intensity as a function of the MPO activity in infected wounds in the range of 20-85 U/mL. Ex vivo experiments with wound fluids validated the analytic efficiency of the paper-based device, and the results strongly correlate with a spectrophotometric assay

Therapeutic management of the odontogenic keratocyst. An energetic approach with a conservative perspective and review of the current therapeutic options

Background: Odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) are cystic lesions appearing in the jaws, usually asymptomatic with a progressive growth into the bone. Many of them are diagnosed by a routine radiological examination. Material and methods: This study reports a 12-year-old girl that presented an asymptomatic large radiolucent unilocular lesion associated to the crown of 3.8 that caused displacement of the molar and the inferior alveolar canal. Differential diagnosis included OKC, unicystic ameloblastoma, ameloblastic fibroma, dentigerous cyst and orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst. Two surgical interventions were performed; first, a marsupialization, and 10 months after, the third molar extraction plus cyst enucleation, mucosa excision and the application of Carnoy's solution. Results: The anatomopathological exam confirmed diagnosis of OKC. There was no evidence of recurrence after 2 years of follow-up. Conclusions: Marsupialization followed by surgical enucleation with mucosa excision and Carnoy's solution can help manage treatment of OKC, a lesion characterized by an aggressive behavior

Therapeutic management of the odontogenic keratocyst. An energetic approach with a conservative perspective and review of the current therapeutic options

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) are cystic lesions appearing in the jaws, usually asymptomatic with a progressive growth into the bone. Many of them are diagnosed by a routine radiological examination. This study reports a 12-year-old girl that presented an asymptomatic large radiolucent unilocular lesion associated to the crown of 3.8 that caused displacement of the molar and the inferior alveolar canal. Differential diagnosis included OKC, unicystic ameloblastoma, ameloblastic fibroma, dentigerous cyst and orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst. Two surgical interventions were performed; first, a marsupialization, and 10 months after, the third molar extraction plus cyst enucleation, mucosa excision and the application of Carnoy?s solution. The anatomopathological exam confirmed diagnosis of OKC. There was no evidence of recurrence after 2 years of follow-up. Marsupialization followed by surgical enucleation with mucosa excision and Carnoy?s solution can help manage treatment of OKC, a lesion characterized by an aggressive behavior

Rapid colorimetric detection of wound infection with a fluidic paper device

Current procedures for the assessment of chronic wound infection are time-consuming and require complex instruments and trained personnel. The incidence of chronic wounds worldwide, and the associated economic burden, urge for simple and cheap point-of-care testing (PoCT) devices for fast on-site diagnosis to enable appropriate early treatment. The enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), whose activity in infected wounds is about ten times higher than in non-infected wounds, appears to be a suitable biomarker for wound infection diagnosis. Herein, we develop a single-component foldable paper-based device for the detection of MPO in wound fluids. The analyte detection is achieved in two steps: (i) selective immunocapture of MPO, and (ii) reaction of a specific dye with the captured MPO, yielding a purple color with increasing intensity as a function of the MPO activity in infected wounds in the range of 20–85 U/mL. Ex vivo experiments with wound fluids validated the analytic efficiency of the paper-based device, and the results strongly correlate with a spectrophotometric assay.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Increased voltage-dependent K+ channel Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 expression correlates with leiomyosarcoma aggressiveness

Voltage-dependent K+ channels (Kv) are involved in the proliferation and differentiation of mammalian cells, since Kv antagonists impair cell cycle progression. Although myofibers are terminally differentiated, some myoblasts may re-enter the cell cycle and proliferate. Since Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 expression is remodeled during tumorigenesis and is involved in smooth muscle proliferation, the purpose of this study was to analyze the expression of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 in smooth muscle neoplasms. In the present study, we examined human samples of smooth muscle tumors together with healthy speci­mens. Thus, leiomyoma (LM) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) tumors were analyzed. Results showed that Kv1.3 was poorly expressed in the healthy muscle and indolent LM specimens, whereas aggressive LMS showed high levels of Kv1.3 expression. Kv1.5 staining was correlated with malignancy. The findings show a remodeling of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 in human smooth muscle sarcoma. A correlation of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 expression with tumor aggressiveness was observed. Thus, our results indicate Kv1.5 and Kv1.3 as potential tumorigenic targets for aggressive human LMS

What format of treatment do patients with emotional disorders prefer and why? Implications for public mental health settings and policies

Objective We analyzed the preference of three psychological intervention formats—individual, group, and online—in a sample of 267 patients with a primary diagnosis of emotional disorder in Spanish public mental health settings. Method We studied patients’ preferences considering sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses, history of psychological treatments, number of sessions, and satisfaction with past interventions. Results Most participants (85.4%) preferred psychological treatment in an individual format, 14.2% in group, and 0.4% online. When comparing the people who chose individual and group treatment, no demographic or clinical differences were found. The arguments against group format were the lack of privacy and expression difficulties. Regarding online format, these included being considered impersonal and ineffective. Conclusion The rejection of group and online psychotherapy formats allows us to define the actions we should carry out in public mental health settings to improve the acceptance of more costeffective therapy formats

Effect of low doses of actinomycin D on neuroblastoma cell lines

Neuroblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumor occurring in young children, consisting of undifferentiated neuroectodermal cells derived from the neural crest. Current therapies for high-risk neuroblastoma are insufficient, resulting in high mortality rates and high incidence of relapse. With the intent to find new therapies for neuroblastomas, we investigated the efficacy of low-doses of actinomycin D, which at low concentrations preferentially inhibit RNA polymerase I-dependent rRNA trasncription and therefore, ribosome biogenesis. Neuroblastoma cell lines with different p53 genetic background were employed to determine the response on cell viability and apoptosis of low-dose of actinomycin D. Subcutaneously-implanted SK-N-JD derived neuroblastoma tumors were used to assess the effect of low-doses of actinomycin D on tumor formation. Low-dose actinomycin D treatment causes a reduction of cell viability in neuroblastoma cell lines and that this effect is stronger in cells that are wild-type for p53. MYCN overexpression contributes to enhance this effect, confirming the importance of this oncogene in ribosome biogenesis. In the wild-type SK-N-JD cell line, apoptosis was the major mechanism responsible for the reduction in viability and we demonstrate that treatment with the MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3, had a similar effect to that of actinomycin D. Apoptosis was also detected in p53 −/− deficient LA1-55n cells treated with actinomycin D, however, only a small recovery of cell viability was found when apoptosis was inhibited by a pan-caspase inhibitor, suggesting that the treatment could activate an apoptosis-independent cell death pathway in these cells. We also determined whether actinomycin D could increase the efficacy of the histone deacetylase inhibitor, SAHA, which is in being used in neuroblastoma clinical trials. We show that actinomycin D synergizes with SAHA in neuroblastoma cell lines. Moreover, on subcutaneously-implanted neuroblastoma tumors derived from SK-N-JD cells, actinomycin D led to tumor regression, an effect enhanced in combination with SAHA. The results presented in this work demonstrate that actinomycin D, at low concentrations, inhibits proliferation and induces cell death in vitro, as well as tumor regression in vivo. From this study, we propose that use of ribosome biogenesis inhibitors should be clinically considered as a potential therapy to treat neuroblastomas. The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0489-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users