Copper Glufosinate-Based Metal−Organic Framework as a Novel Multifunctional Agrochemical

Pesticides are agrochemical compounds used to kill pests (insects, rodents, fungi, or unwanted plants), which are key to meet the world food demand. Regrettably, some important issues associated with their widespread/extensive use (contamination, bioaccumulation, and development of pest resistances) demand a reduction in the amount of pesticide applied in crop protection. Among the novel technologies used to combat the deterioration of our environment, metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as innovative and promising materials in agroindustry since they possess several features (high porosity, functionalizable cavities, ecofriendly composition, etc.) that make them excellent candidates for the controlled release of pesticides. Moving toward a sustainable development, in this work, we originally describe the use of pesticides as building blocks for the MOF construction, leading to a new type of agricultural applied MOFs (or AgroMOFs). Particularly, we have prepared a novel 2D-MOF (namely, GR-MOF-7) based on the herbicide glufosinate and the widely used antibacterial and fungicide Cu2+. GR-MOF-7 crystallizes attaining a monoclinic P21/c space group, and the asymmetric unit is composed of one independent Cu2+ ion and one molecule of the Glu2− ligand. Considering the significant antibacterial activity of Cu-based compounds in agriculture, the potential combined bactericidal and herbicidal effect of GR-MOF-7 was investigated. GR-MOF-7 shows an important antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (involved in agricultural animal infections), improving the results obtained with its individual or even physical mixed precursors [glufosinate and Cu(NO3)2]. It is also an effective pesticide against germination and plant growth of the weed Raphanus sativus, an invasive species in berries and vines crops, demonstrating that the construction of MOFs based on herbicide and antibacterial/antifungal units is a promising strategy to achieve multifunctional agrochemicals. To the best of our knowledge, this first report on the synthesis of an MOF based on agrochemicals (what we have named AgroMOF) opens new ways on the safe and efficient MOF application in agriculture.project MOFseidon PID2019-104228RB-I00Juan de la Cierva incorporation JC2019-038894-I and Multifunctional Metallodrugs in Diagnosis and Therapy Network (MICIU) RED2018-102471-TComunidad de MadridEuropean Regional Development Fund-FEDER 2014-2020-OE REACTUEUniversidad de Granada/CBUAEuropean Union NextGenerationEU/PRT

Evaluation Of Pre-Freeze And Post-Thaw Sperm Quality Of Epididymal Canine Sperm Cooled In Situ Or Extended Overnight

- Introduction and objectives Sperm harvesting from the epididymal cauda represents the last chance to obtain progeny in case of an unforeseen decease or castration. However, not all small animal clinics perform sperm cryopreservation and epididymides need to be shipped to specialized facilities. Unfortunately, the lack of technical knowledge regarding its optimal storage and shipping conditions prevents the preservation of canine epididymal sperm. Hence, our study aimed to define the best cooling method for canine epididymal sperm prior cryopreservation at 4 ˚C: within the epididymis or extended. - Materials and methods Testicles were collected from 11 healthy dogs of different breeds immediately after castration. One epididymis was immediately stored at 4 ˚C for 24 h (Time 0). The contralateral epididymis was flushed with CaniPlus Chill®, extended to reach 150 × 106 sperm/ml and preserved at 4 ˚C. After 24 h of cooling, the stored epididymis was flushed and processed as the former. Samples were centrifuged, and the obtained pellet was resuspended at 150 × 106 sperm/ml in CaniPlus Freeze® medium, plus 20% egg yolk (v/v). Sperm were packed in 0.5 ml straws, cooled at 4 ˚C for 1 h, exposed to liquid nitrogen vapor for 20 minutes and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Sperm quality was assessed in fresh and frozen-thawed samples at all the time points: 0 and 24 h (fresh samples) and after thawing (37 ˚C for 1 min). Motility was evaluated using a CASA system; viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and DNA integrity were assessed by flow cytometry using SYBR-14/PI, JC-1 and sperm chromatin structure respectively. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM in % comparing epididymal cooling vs. extended sperm. ANOVA and student t-test were used to compare normally distributed data; Kruskal-Wallis test and Mood’s median test for non-normally distributed data; p < 0.05 was considered as significant. - Results Canine epididymal sperm, cooled for 24 h at 4 ˚C within the epididymis, showed significantly differences compared to the cooled-extended samples respectively for viability (69.9 ± 1.8 vs. 59.6 ± 3.4, mean % ± SEM; p < 0.05), higher MMP (64.9 ± 3.7 vs. 51.1 ± 2.7, mean % ± SEM; p < 0.05), and beat cross frequency (BCF) (7.5 ± 0.5 vs. 5.6 ± 0.6, mean % ± SEM; p < 0.05). After cryopreservation, significant differences were also found in MMP (50.9 ± 2.2 vs. 39.1 ± 4.9, mean % ± SEM; p < 0.05) and in viability (48.5 ± 2.7 vs. 39.5 ± 4.2, mean % ± SEM; p < 0.05) in samples cooled in the epididymis vs. extended 24 h prior cryopreservation, respectively. DNA fragmentation remained unaffected in all the treatments (p > 0.05). - Conclusions The study demonstrates that epididymal sperm better maintains its quality when cooled within the epididymis prior freezing. This finding opens a new horizon in the small animal clinics procedures to store and/or ship epididymal sperm in dogs prior freezing. Funding: RYC-2017-21545 (AEI/FEDER/UE, Spain); TA18008 (Junta de Extremadura, Spain)

Evaluation of Eosinopenia as a SIRS Biomarker in Critically Ill Horses

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a very common finding in critically ill patients. To accurately identify patients with SIRS and those who need intensive care, several markers have been evaluated, including cortisol, WBC or lactate. It is widely known that a stress leukogram includes eosinopenia as one of its main markers (neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia and mild monocytes). It is known that cortisol concentration in plasma is the main stress biomarker and is strongly correlated with the severity of disease in horses. However, it is not possible to measure this parameter routinely in clinical conditions. Hence, in this study it was hypothesized that the eosinophil count could be a reliable parameter to identify critically ill horses. Horses included in this study were divided into three groups: Group A (sick horses received at the Emergency Unit which did not fulfil the criteria for SIRS), Group B (horses that meet two or more criteria for inclusion in the definition of SIRS) and a control group of healthy horses. In this study, horses with SIRS showed lower eosinophil counts than healthy horses. Moreover, non-surviving horses exhibited lower eosinophil counts than survivors. Eosinopenia could be used to identify horses with SIRS and can be useful as a prognostic marker

The Place of Descriptive Geometry in the Face of Industry 4.0 Challenges

Industrial process automation has long been the main goal in production lines that seek to decrease human involvement. However, it is broadly agreed that a collaboration between humans and technologies must still exist as human capital is required to provide certain skills and abilities that machines cannot offer yet. For instance, in the context of design and simulation, CAD, CAM, and CAE professionals must count not only on a deep knowledge of the technology employed but also on specific skills that make the human factor an integral piece of the transition. These abilities are considered fundamental to achieving sustainable development in the industrial sector. This work focuses on analyzing through four study cases where whether specular o bilateral symmetry, a.k.a. planar symmetry is present, the weaknesses found in the human factor related to CAD training of future industrial engineers. The most common mistakes found when developing the different symmetric pieces proposed are thoroughly examined in order to define their origin, which mainly lies in students’ lack of descriptive geometry (DG) understanding. This is aggravated in some cases by the lack of spatial visualization abilities. The unstoppable and fast advances in design and simulation tools and technologies require humans to update their capabilities almost in real time. However, results show that this should not threaten the need for the human mind to spatially understand the changes being made on the screen. Otherwise, humans are at risk of ending up at the service of machines and technologies instead of the opposite

Effects of oral prednisone administration on serum cystatin C in dogs

ANTECEDENTES La administración oral de glucocorticoides altera la concentración sérica de cistatina C (sCysC) en humanos. OBJETIVO Determinar si la administración oral de prednisona altera la sCysC en perros sin enfermedad renal preexistente. Los animales Se incluyeron cuarenta y seis perros: 10 perros diagnosticados con meningitis arterial esteroide sensible (SRMA; grupo A), 20 perros diagnosticados de hiperadrenocorticismo hipofisario-dependiente (PDH; grupo B) y 16 perros control sanos (grupo C). Metodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo. A los perros diagnosticados con SRMA se les administró prednisona 4 mg / kg / 24 h PO 7 días, reduciendo la dosis a 2 mg / kg / 24 h 7 días antes del retiro de la medicación. En el grupo A, el muestreo se realizó en los días 0, 7, 14 y un control final en el día 21. Se recogieron muestras de sangre y orina en los 3 grupos, y en el grupo A, el muestreo se realizó en todos los puntos de tiempo (días 1, 7). , 14, y 21). RESULTADOS En el grupo A, sCysC fue significativamente mayor en el día 7 en comparación con el grupo de control (0,4 ± 0,04 mg / l vs. 0,18 ± 0,03 mg / l medio ± SEM respectivamente P 0.05). Los perros con PDH incluidos en el grupo B no tuvieron diferencias significativas en sCysC (0.22 ± 0.03 mg / L) en comparación con el control (P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONES Y IMPORTANCIA CLÍNICA La administración oral de prednisona, a diferencia de la producción alterada de glucocorticoides endógenos, aumenta la sCysC en perros de una manera dependiente de la dosis.BACKGROUND Oral administration of glucocorticoid alters serum cystatin C (sCysC) concentration in humans. OBJECTIVE To determine if oral administration of prednisone alters sCysC in dogs without pre‐existing renal disease. ANIMALS Forty six dogs were included: 10 dogs diagnosed with steroid responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA; group A), 20 dogs diagnosed of pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH; group B), and 16 healthy control dogs (group C). METHODS Retrospective observational study. SRMA diagnosed dogs were administered prednisone 4 mg/kg/24 h PO 7 days, reducing the dose to 2 mg/kg/24 h 7 days before medication withdrawal. In group A, sampling was performed at days 0, 7, 14 and a final control at day 21. Blood and urine samples were collected in the 3 groups, and in group A, sampling was performed at all time points (days 1, 7, 14, and 21). RESULTS In group A, sCysC was significantly higher at day 7 compared to the control group (0.4 ± 0.04 mg/L vs. 0.18 ± 0.03 mg/L mean ± SEM respectively P 0.05). Dogs with PDH included in group B did not have significant differences in sCysC (0.22 ± 0.03 mg/L) compared to control (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Oral administration of prednisone unlike altered endogenous glucocorticoid production, increases sCysC in dogs in a dose‐dependent fashion.• Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Beca Juan de la Cierva IJCI-2014-19428, para Beatriz Macías GarcíapeerReviewe

Expanded equine cumulus-oocyte complexes exhibit higher meiotic competence and lower glucose consumption than compact cumulus-oocyte complexes

Publicado en: Reproduction, Fertility and Development 30(2) 297-306 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD16441 Submitted: 4 November 2016 Accepted: 6 June 2017 Published: 6 July 2017Equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are classified as compact (cCOC) or expanded (eCOC) and vary in their meiotic competence. This divergence could be related to different glucose metabolism. To test this hypothesis eCOCs, cCOCs, and expanded or compact mural granulosa cells (EC and CC respectively) were matured in vitro for 30 hours and the maturation rate, glucose metabolism, and expression of genes involved in glucose transport, glycolysis, apoptosis and meiotic competence were determined. Significant differences were found between eCOCs and cCOCs maturation rates (50% vs. 21.7 %; n = 192 and 46 respectively, p < 0.001), glucose consumption (1.8 ± 0.5 vs. 27.9 ± 5.9 nmol/COC; mean ± SEM), pyruvate production (0.1 ± 0.0 vs. 2.4 ± 0.8 nmol/COC; mean ± SEM) and lactate production (4.7 ± 1.3 vs. 64.1 ± 20.6 nmol/COC; mean ± SEM) respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, similar glucose consumption was observed for EC and CC. Hyaluronan binding protein (TNFAIP6) expression was increased in eCOCs and EC, solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter) member 1 (SLC2A1) was increased in eCOCs, while glycolysis-related enzymes and solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter) member 3 (SLC2A3) expression did not vary between COCs or mural granulosa cell type. Our data demonstrate that metabolic and genomic differences exist between eCOCs and cCOCs and mural granulosa cells in the horse.This work was financed by AGL2015-66145-R funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and 364 Competitiveness and by AGL2015-73249-JIN(AEI/FEDER/UE) from the "Agencia Estatal de Investigación" 365 (AEI) (Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness) and "Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo 366 Regional" (FEDER). Beatriz Macías-García holds a postdoctoral grant "Juan de la Cierva Incorporación"(IJCI-367 2014-19428) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. L.G.-F. (Grant reference: 368 SFRH/BPD/85532/2012) and B. M.-G. (Grant reference: SFRH/BPD/84354/2012) were also partially funded by 369 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Ministry for Science, Technology and Higher Education) co370 funded by Programa Operacional Potencial Humano (POPH) financed by European Social Fund (ESF) and 371 Portuguese national funds from Ministry for Science, Technology and Higher Education. The authors thank 372 CECA/ICETA (University of Porto) for funding the abattoir dislocations. The collaboration of Linda Rosa 373 Abattoir is highly appreciated. The authors wish to thank the Laboratory of Applied Physiology (Department of 374 Aquatic Production) of the ICBAS (University of Porto) and especially Mariana Hinzmann for allowing us to use 375 their fluorescence microscope. RNAlater was kindly provided by Dr. Michael Jowers

Systematic Reviews and Synthesis without Meta-Analysis on Hydrotherapy for Pain Control in Labor

Background: Although there is scientific evidence regarding the use of water immersion during labor, this evidence is primarily focused on the first stage of labor. There is limited scientific evidence on water immersion during the second stage of labor. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and synthesis of contemporary evidence related to water birth, with a specific focus on the second stage of labor. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature published between January 2018 and October 2023 was carried out. A synthesis of the results was conducted following the Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were utilized as information sources. The search strategy was designed using the keywords “immersion” and “parturition”, along with their relevant synonyms. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies employing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and quantitative and qualitative approaches focusing on pregnant women undergoing water immersion at any stage of the labor process. Results: Eleven articles were selected: two systematic reviews (one quantitative and one qualitative), five cohort studies, one case–control study, one cross-sectional observational study, and two qualitative studies. A thorough assessment of the methodology was performed using several specific tools: the Cochrane RoB 2 (Risk of Bias 2) tool for systematic reviews, JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research for qualitative studies, STROBE for observational descriptive studies, and CASPe for qualitative studies. The results provided fundamental insights that will contribute to conceptual standardization regarding the effects of water birth on maternal and fetal health. Additionally, a synthesis of the results was performed concerning types of delivery, analgesia use, pain perception, and maternal satisfaction with the water birth experience. Conclusions: In this study, we conclude that the results regarding delivery types, labor durations, and analgesia use found in the literature, along with statistically significant maternal/fetal effects, are crucial for making recommendations regarding the use of water during labor in any of its stages if the woman desires it safely

Regulation of the transcriptional program by DNA methylation during human αβ T-cell development

© The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research. Thymocyte differentiation is a complex process involving well-defined sequential developmental stages that ultimately result in the generation of mature T-cells. In this study, we analyzed DNA methylation and gene expression profiles at successive human thymus developmental stages. Gain and loss of methylation occurred during thymocyte differentiation, but DNA demethylation was much more frequent than de novo methylation and more strongly correlated with gene expression. These changes took place in CpG-poor regions and were closely associated with T-cell differentiation and TCR function. Up to 88 genes that encode transcriptional regulators, some of whose functions in T-cell development are as yet unknown, were differentially methylated during differentiation. Interestingly, no reversion of accumulated DNA methylation changes was observed as differentiation progressed, except in a very small subset of key genes (RAG1, RAG2, CD8A, PTCRA, etc.), indicating that methylation changes are mostly unique and irreversible events. Our study explores the contribution of DNA methylation to T-cell lymphopoiesis and provides a fine-scale map of differentially methylated regions associated with gene expression changes. These can lay the molecular foundations for a better interpretation of the regulatory networks driving human thymopoiesis.Plan Nacional de [I+D+I 2008–2011]; Instituto de Salud Carlos III [grant number PI12/02587]; Red Española de Investigación Renal (REDinREN) [grant number RD12/0021/0018 and RD12/0021/0021]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [grant number SAF2010- 15106 and PLE2009-0110]; European Union [Fondos FEDER]Peer Reviewe

Validación Transcultural de la Entrevista de Apego para Niños (EAN) en Población Infantil Mexicana

El apego es el primer organizador de la personalidad. Un apego seguro se relaciona con un desarrollo adecuado y una buena salud mental, mientras que un apego inseguro puede expresarse como un retraimiento en la relación con los demás, una afectación al desarrollo, emociones confusas y rechazo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar la validación transcultural de la Entrevista de Apego para Niños (EAN) (Sierra, Carrasco y Moya, 2018) en niños mexicanos. La EAN evalúa el modelo de representación de apego en niños de 3 a 12 años mediante la estrategia de completamiento de historias, enmarcada en una aproximación contextualizada y dimensional. La EAN presenta una estructura interna y multidimensional compuesta por 4 factores referidos a la reacción positiva y negativa del niño (Reacción Positiva del Niño, Reacción Confiada del Niño, Reacción Negativa del Niño y Reacción Desconfiada del Niño) y 5 factores relacionados con la interacción entre el niño y su figura de apego (Interacción Empática, Interacción Confiada, Interacción Positiva, Interacción Negativa e Interacción Desconfiada). Participaron en el estudio 124 niños y niñas españoles y 95 mexicanos, todos de entre 3 y 12 años y procedentes de población normativa y de contextos en situación de riesgo psicosocial. El riesgo psicosocial puede definirse como aquellos entornos o contextos de desarrollo en los que, por sus características estructurales o funcionales, son potencialmente capaces de influir negativamente en el desarrollo psicológico del niño. La validación se ha realizado mediante la obtención de evidencias de fiabilidad y validez en las diferentes muestras del estudio.Grupo de Investigación AnálisisIntervención y Terapia Aplicada con Niños y AdolescentesAITANA Universidad Miguel Hernández2022-2

Outlining adequate protocols for Lidia bull epididymal storage and sperm cryopreservation: use of glycerol, dimethylformamide and N-acetylcysteine

P. 1-10The Lidia bovine breed is an important hallmark of the Spanish cattle industry. Bulls are selected based upon aggressiveness and epididymal sperm cryopreservation is the way to obtain and store their genetics. There are not specifically designed protocols yet to perform Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation. The present study aimed to determine if a tris-fructose-citrate-egg yolk (20% v/v; TFY) extender supplemented with 7% glycerol (TFY1) or 3.5% glycerol plus 3.5% dimethylformamide (DMF; TFY2) are suitable media for cryopreservation of epididymal Lidia bull sperm. Moreover, the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, was evaluated. The epididymis were stored at 4°C for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h, and both freezing media were tested as such or supplemented with 1 or 2.5 mM of NAC. Our data demonstrated that post-thaw viability was well maintained (TFY1: 50.8% ± 1.9 at 24 h and 52.4% ± 0.8 at 96 h and TFY2: 52.6% ± 1.6 at 24 h and 56.1% ± 1.8 at 96 h; mean % ± SEM; p>0.05) as also were total and progressive sperm motility, high mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, DNA status and acrosomal intactness of Lidia bull sperm up to 96 h of epididymal storage, all extender variations being similar (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of TFY medium supplemented either with 7% glycerol alone or the combination of 3.5% glycerol and 3.5% DMF were equally safe choices for epididymal Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation, and NAC addition did not significantly improve sperm post-thaw quality.S