Effect of disodium/calcium malate or Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on growth performance, carcass quality, ruminal fermentation products, and bood metabolites of heifers

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of malate salts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture on growth performance, carcass quality, ruminal fermentation products, and blood metabolites in heifers raised under southern Europe practical farm conditions. A total of 108 Charolaise cross heifers (214 ± 27.3 kg BW and 6.4 ± 1.1 mo of age) were housed in 18 pens of 6 animals each and used in a 114-d feedlot study. There was a totally randomized experimental design, and 6 pens were assigned to each of the following experimental diets: a control (no supplementation), the control plus 4 g of disodium/calcium malate mixture per kilogram of concentrate (2.12 g malate/kg), and the control plus 0.15 g of S. cerevisiae CBS 493.94 per kilogram of concentrate (1.5 × 108 cfu/kg). The control diet consisted of wheat–barley–based pelleted concentrate (32% starch, DM basis) and full-length barley straw. Concentrate and straw were fed separately ad libitum (5% orts) in an 88:12 ratio. On Days 0, 56, and 114, ruminal fluid and blood samples were obtained from each heifer between 2 and 2.5 h after the morning feeding by ruminocentesis and tail venipuncture, respectively. Body weight, concentrate ADFI, and G:F were recorded at 28, 56, 84, and 114 d. At slaughter, hot carcass weight and yield and carcass classification were determined in 2 representative heifers per pen (12 animals per dietary treatment). Supplementation with malate salts or S. cerevisiae did not affect concentrate ADFI (P = 0.98), ADG (P = 0.74), or G:F (P = 0.50) at any time during the experiment. At slaughter, there were no differences in carcass weight (P = 0.86), classification (P = 0.18), or carcass yield (P = 0.84) among experimental groups. Also, there were no differences treatments on ruminal pH (P = 0.24), ruminal fermentation products (P = 0.69, P = 0.88, and P = 0.93 for total VFA, NH3–N, and lactate, respectively), and blood metabolites (P = 0.96, P = 0.82, and P = 0.15 for glucose, urea N, and lactate, respectively). In conclusion, under the feeding and management conditions of this study, diet supplementation with malate salts or S. cerevisiae did not have any significant effects on growth performance, carcass quality, ruminal fermentation products, and blood metabolites

The Murciano-Almerian non nitrophilous therophytic grasslands

Se presenta la primera aproximación global al conocimiento e interpretación de los pastizales terofíticos no nitrófilos murciano-almerienses, realizada desde la óptica de la fitosociología integrada. El análisis se llevó a cabo con 190 inventarios fitosociológicos, utilizando métodos de ordenación clásicos y multivariantes (análisis de correspondencias), así como una profunda revisión bibliográfica. Se han reconocido 25 comunidades o asociaciones vegetales pertenecientes a las clases Helianthemetea guttati (18), Saginetea maritimae (3), Thero-Salicornietea (3) e Isoeto-Nanojuncetea (1). Se proponen como nuevas las cinco asociaciones que se recogen en el resumen en inglés.The present paper is the first approach to the global synthesis of the murciano-almerian, non nitrophilous therophytic grassland, belonging to the classes Helianthemetea guttati, Saginetea maritimae, Thero-Salicornietea and lsoeto-Nanojuncetea. These communities have been studied according to the methodology of the Integrated Phytosociology. Tables have been ordered by means of the manual method and also multivariate analysis (Correspondence Analysis). 25 plant communities have been recognized, the following are proposed as new associations: Stipo capensis-Diplota.xidetum lagascanae, Plantagini ovatae-Diplotaxidetum ilorcitanae, Leysero leyseroidis-Rumicetum gallici, Campanulo fastigiatae-Chaenorhinetum rupestris and Polypogoni maritimi-Teucrietum campanulati

Evaluación de métodos de extracción de ADN genómico para la identificación de Leptospira spp en muestras de orina bovina mediante por PCR

The purpose of this study was to select for the extraction of DNA from Leptospira spp from urine samples for the diagnosis of bovine leptospirosis by PCR. Three methods of DNA extraction methods were used: Ethanol-Sodium Hydroxide (EtNa), Chelex® 100 chelating resin and the PureLink® Genomic DNA Mini Kit commercial extraction case. The extracted DNA served for the standardization of three PCR protocols for the identification of the rrl, hap1 and rrs genes, respectively, in the AGROCALIDAD, Ecuador laboratory. A total of 72 bovine urine samples were collected from livestock farms in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. Ten positive samples were obtained by amplifying the rrl gene, which identifies the genus Leptospira. Of the genus-positive samples, eight amplified for the hap1 gene, which codes for the main outer membrane protein of pathogenic species. The agreement between the DNA extraction methods was evaluated with Chelex-100, and the PureLink® Genomic DNA Mini Kit, determining a agreement of 0.74 using the Kappa index.El presente estudio tuvo la finalidad de seleccionar un protocolo de extracción de ADN de Leptospira spp a partir de muestras de orina para el diagnóstico de leptospirosis bovina mediante PCR. Se utilizaron tres métodos de extracción de ADN: Etanol-Hidróxido de Sodio (EtNa), resina quelante Chelex® 100 y el estuche de extracción comercial PureLink® Genomic DNA Mini Kit. El ADN extraído sirvió para la estandarización de tres protocolos de PCR para la identificación de los genes rrl, hap1 y rrs, respectivamente en el laboratorio de AGROCALIDAD, Ecuador. Se colectaron 72 muestras de orina bovina procedentes de ganaderías de la provincia de Manabí, Ecuador. Se obtuvieron 10 muestras positivas mediante la amplificación del gen rrl, el cual identifica al género Leptospira. De las muestras positivas a género, ocho amplificaron para el gen hap1, el cual codifica para la principal proteína de membrana externa de especies patógenas. Se evaluó la concordancia entre los métodos de extracción de ADN con Chelex-100, y el estuche de extracción comercial PureLink® Genomic DNA Mini Kit, determinándose una concordancia de 0.74 mediante el índice Kappa.   El presente estudio tuvo la finalidad de optimizar un protocolo de extracción de ADN de Leptospira spp. a partir de muestras de orina de bovinos procedentes de ganaderías de los cantones de Chone y Pedernales de la provincia de Manabí, Ecuador. El ADN extraído sirvió para la estandarización de 3 protocolos de PCR en AGROCALIDAD, para lo cual, se colectaron 72 muestras de orina bovina (n=72). Se identificaron 10 excretores renales (n=10) mediante la amplificación del gen rrl, el cual identifica al género Leptospira. De las muestras positivas a género, 8 (n=8) amplificaron para el gen hap1, el cual codifica para la principal proteína de membrana externa de especies patógenas. Se evaluó la concordancia entre los métodos de extracción de ADN con Chelex-100, y el estuche de extracción comercial PureLink® Genomic DNA; y se determinó la existencia de una concordancia de 0,74 mediante el índice Kappa

Proposal of an Alternative to the AMA Guidelines for the Evaluation of the Cervical ROM

The cervical spine is one of the most frequently injured joints in a car accident. References for the range of motion (ROM) that should be expected in a person are needed to stage the injuries. The two main objectives of this paper are to clinically validate a measuring device for the cervical spine, and to assess if the use of different ROM reference values will render different results from the American Medical Association (AMA) ROM guidelines. The present study is divided into 2 phases, a validation phase with 55 subjects and a case-control phase with 80 subjects. A BTS (Bioengineering Technology and System) system and the EBI-5 (estudio biomecánico integral) system were used for the present investigation. The intraclass correlation agreement value between both measuring devices is considered very good with a Cronbach alpha up to 0.9 in every dimension. Correlations (r) between variables are very high, not showing any values lower than 0.887. All comparisons between using AMA ROM guidelines or normative values presented significant differences (p < 0.05). The EBI-5 system has exhibited good accuracy being paired to a photogrammetric system. The use of guidelines adjusted to age constitute an alternative to the use of the AMA cervical ROM guidelines. Professionals should use age-normalized guidelines as an alternative to the AMA guidelines

Linezolid for infective endocarditis. A structured approach based on a national database experience

Current data on the frequency and efficacy of linezolid (LNZ) in infective endocarditis (IE) are based on small retrospective series. We used a national database to evaluate the effectiveness of LNZ in IE. This is a retrospective study of IE patients in the Spanish GAMES database who received LNZ. We defined 3 levels of therapeutic impact: LNZ 50% of the total treatment, and > 50% of the LNZ doses prescribed in the first weeks of treatment), and LNZ ? 7 days not fulfilling the high-impact criteria (LNZ-NHI). Effectiveness of LNZ was assessed using propensity score matching and multivariate analysis of high-impact cases in comparison to patients not treated with LNZ from the GAMES database matched for age-adjusted comorbidity Charlson index, heart failure, renal failure, prosthetic and intracardiac IE device, left-sided IE, and Staphylococcus aureus. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and one-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included IE complications and relapses

The environmental and social footprint of the university of the Basque Country UPV/EHU

This work has calculated the organisational environmental and social footprint of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in 2016. First, input and output data flows of the UPV/EHU activity were collected. Next, the environmental and social impacts of the academic activity were modelled, using the Ecoinvent 3.3 database with the PSILCA-based Soca v1 module in openLCA software. In order to evaluate the environmental impacts, CML and ReCiPe LCIA methods were used. The Social Impact Weighting Method was adjusted for the assessment of specific social impacts. The modelling has identified some hotspots in the organisation. The contribution of transport (8,900 km per user, annually) is close to 60% in most of the environmental impacts considered. The life cycle of computers stands out among the impacts derived from the consumption of material products. More than half of environmental impacts are located outside the Basque Country. This work has also made it possible to estimate some of the impacts of the organisational social footprint, such as accidents at work, only some of which occur at the UPV/EHU. Traces of child labour and illiteracy have also been detected in the social footprint that supports the activity of the UPV/EHU. Some of the social and environmental impacts analysed are not directly generated by the UPV/EHU, but they all demand attention and co-responsibility. Based on the modelling performed, this work explores alternative scenarios and recommends some improvement actions which may reduce (in some cases over 30%) the environmental and social impacts of the UPV/EHU's activity. These scenarios and improvement actions will feed a process with stakeholders in the UPV/ EHU based on the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology.To the Sustainability Directorate and the Educational Advisory Service, both belonging to the Vice-Chancellor's Office for Innovation, Social Commitment and Social Action of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, in the context of the Campus Bizia Lab programme (2017/18, 18/19 and 19/20 calls) for the financing of the EHU-Aztarna project. This research has also been supported by 'Ekopol: Iraunkortasunerako Bideak' research group, recognised by the Basque Government (IT1365-19) and the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (GIC-18/22)

Spatial evolution of an AMD stream in the Iberian Pyrite Belt: process characterization and control factors on the hydrochemistry

This paper presents hydrochemical data of an AMD stream in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, obtained from its source, in the Poderosa Mine Portal, till its confluence at the Odiel River. The main objective is to establish potential interdependent relations between sulfate and metals’ loads and the following physical-chemical variables: pH, electric conductivity (EC), redox potential (EH), and dissolved oxygen (O2). All the parameters show a global increasing tendency since the tunnel’s exit to the confluence at Odiel River. The TDS and EC are two relevant exceptions. They behave similarly, showing a decreasing trend and a strong inflection that describes a minimum immediately after the discharging point. The spatial analysis combined with statistical tools put in evidence the typical AMD processes and the respective physical-chemical implications. Inputs with distinctive hydrochemical signatures impose relevant modifications in the Poderosa creek waters. This indicates low hydrochemical inertia and high vulnerability to external stimulus.Financial support for this research was provided by DGCICYT National Plan, project CGL2010-21268-C02-01 and the Andalusian Autonomous Government Excellence Projects, Project RNM-6570