Effect of tannins-rich plants to control gastrointestinal nematodes in Zebu cows grazing in a sub-tropical sylvopastoral system

Two grazing systems were compared, one of a conventional sort limited to grass (GS) and the other a mixed sylvopastoral system (SGS), with respect to their effect on control of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. Sixty-two lactating crossbred Zebu cows (457 ± 25 kg bodyweight) were divided into in two groups of 31 each. The GS group was maintained 24 h daily without shade, grazing Cynodon or Brachiaria herbage, while the SGS cows had access to the above mentioned grasses and to a subtropical forest. All of the animals received 2.5 kg/d of a slowintake supplement containing urea. The measurements performed were: fecal parasite egg counts on eight occasions over 200d, identification of nematodes by growth of their larvae in culture, packed red blood cell volume (PCV), FARMACHA index value based on coloration of the conjunctiva mucosa, and body condition score (BCS). A greater number of eggs per gram of feces (EPGF) were found in GS cows than in those of SGS (p<0.05). In both systems the PCV remained within the normal range, but the FAMACHA© value was higher under SGS (p<0.05). The BCS of SGS and GS cows were 3.3 and 2.7 respectively (p<0.01). In GS data the following correlations (r) were obtained: negative, EPGF with PCV (-0.77), with BCS (-0.61) and with FAMACHA score (-0.41); and positive, BCS with FAMACHA value (0.62). In SGS data the highest and negative condition was that of PCV with FAMACHA© score (-0.32). The principal nematodes identified in culture for both systems were Oesophagostomum spp, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus and Cooperia spp. It was concluded that the mixed sylvopastoral system shows promise for controlling parasitic nematode infection in bovines to the benefit of animal health

Diseño de encapsulados de Lactobacillus casei y su efecto en el peso de ratones Balb/c.

Los probióticos son reconocidos como microorganismos vivos que cuando se integran a la microbiota presentan efectos benéficos sobre el individuo que los consume. El objetivo del estudio consiste en diseñar cápsulas conteniendo Lactobacillus casei con capacidad de liberación a pH7, comparar la ganancia de peso de los ratones Balb/c alimentados con alimento comercial y capsulas de L. casei. El estudio experimental se llevó acabó con 30 ratones cepa Balb/c desde el destete hasta los 55 días de nacidos, el estudio radica en la distribución de dos grupos de estudio, 1) Grupo: 15 ratones alimentados con cápsulas conteniendo un concentrado L. casei, 2) Grupo: 15 ratones alimentados con alimento comercial. Se observó que el grupo con mayor promedio de ganancia de peso fue el grupo que recibió alimento comercial + cápsulas de L. casei, el cual presentó un peso de 23.86g y el peso del control fue de 18.33 g. Otro parámetro evaluado fue la determinación de las UFC/ ml, el cual se observó con un valor de 39x106 para el grupo alimentado con alimento comercial + cápsulas con L. casei, en tanto que el grupo alimentado solo con alimento comercial presentó un valor de 98 x105 UFC

A pivotal role for starch in the reconfiguration of 14C-partitioning and allocation in Arabidopsis thaliana under short-term abiotic stress.

Plant carbon status is optimized for normal growth but is affected by abiotic stress. Here, we used 14C-labeling to provide the first holistic picture of carbon use changes during short-term osmotic, salinity, and cold stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. This could inform on the early mechanisms plants use to survive adverse environment, which is important for efficient agricultural production. We found that carbon allocation from source to sinks, and partitioning into major metabolite pools in the source leaf, sink leaves and roots showed both conserved and divergent responses to the stresses examined. Carbohydrates changed under all abiotic stresses applied; plants re-partitioned 14C to maintain sugar levels under stress, primarily by reducing 14C into the storage compounds in the source leaf, and decreasing 14C into the pools used for growth processes in the roots. Salinity and cold increased 14C-flux into protein, but as the stress progressed, protein degradation increased to produce amino acids, presumably for osmoprotection. Our work also emphasized that stress regulated the carbon channeled into starch, and its metabolic turnover. These stress-induced changes in starch metabolism and sugar export in the source were partly accompanied by transcriptional alteration in the T6P/SnRK1 regulatory pathway that are normally activated by carbon starvation

COVID-19 severity and mortality in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a joint study by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL, and CLL Campus

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of the elderly, characterized by immunodeficiency. Hence, patients with CLL might be considered more susceptible to severe complications from COVID-19. We undertook this retrospective international multicenter study to characterize the course of COVID-19 in patients with CLL and identify potential predictors of outcome. Of 190 patients with CLL and confirmed COVID-19 diagnosed between 28/03/2020 and 22/05/2020, 151 (79%) presented with severe COVID-19 (need of oxygen and/or intensive care admission). Severe COVID-19 was associated with more advanced age (≥65 years) (odds ratio 3.72 [95% CI 1.79–7.71]). Only 60 patients (39.7%) with severe COVID-19 were receiving or had recent (≤12 months) treatment for CLL at the time of COVID-19 versus 30/39 (76.9%) patients with mild disease. Hospitalization rate for severe COVID-19 was lower (p < 0.05) for patients on ibrutinib versus those on other regimens or off treatment. Of 151 patients with severe disease, 55 (36.4%) succumbed versus only 1/38 (2.6%) with mild disease; age and comorbidities did not impact on mortality. In CLL, (1) COVID-19 severity increases with age; (2) antileukemic treatment (particularly BTK inhibitors) appears to exert a protective effect; (3) age and comorbidities did not impact on mortality, alluding to a relevant role of CLL and immunodeficiency

Apoptosis induction in Jurkat cells and sCD95 levels in women's sera are related with the risk of developing cervical cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Currently, there is clear evidence that apoptosis plays an important role in the development and progression of tumors. One of the best characterized apoptosis triggering systems is the CD95/Fas/APO-1 pathway; previous reports have demonstrated high levels of soluble CD95 (sCD95) in serum of patients with some types of cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. As a first step in an attempt to design a minimally invasive test to predict the risk of developing cervical cancer in patients with precancerous lesions, we used a simple assay based on the capacity of human serum to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells. We evaluated the relationship between sCD95 levels and the ability to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells in cervical cancer patients and controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Jurkat cells were exposed to serum from 63 women (20 healthy volunteers, 21 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I [CIN 1] and 22 with cervical-uterine carcinoma). The apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry using Annexin-V-Fluos and Propidium Iodide as markers. Serum levels of sCD95 and soluble CD95 ligand (sCD95L) were measured by ELISA kits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that serum from almost all healthy women induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells, while only fifty percent of the sera from women with CIN 1 induced cell death in Jurkat cells. Interestingly, only one serum sample from a patient with cervical-uterine cancer was able to induce apoptosis, the rest of the sera protected Jurkat cells from this killing. We were able to demonstrate that elimination of Jurkat cells was mediated by the CD95/Fas/Apo-1 apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the serum levels of sCD95 measured by ELISA were significantly higher in women with cervical cancer.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that there is a strong correlation between low levels of sCD95 in serum of normal women and higher apoptosis induction in Jurkat cells. We suggest that an analysis of the apoptotic rate induced by serum in Jurkat cells and the levels of sCD95 in serum could be helpful during the prognosis and treatment of women detected with precancerous lesions or cervical cancer.</p

Low NKp30, NKp46 and NKG2D expression and reduced cytotoxic activity on NK cells in cervical cancer and precursor lesions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Persistent high risk HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer, the second most common malignant tumor in women worldwide. NK cells play a crucial role against tumors and virus-infected cells through a fine balance between activating and inhibitory receptors. Expression of triggering receptors NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 and NKG2D on NK cells correlates with cytolytic activity against tumor cells, but these receptors have not been studied in cervical cancer and precursor lesions. The aim of the present work was to study NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, NKp80 and 2B4 expression in NK cells from patients with cervical cancer and precursor lesions, in the context of HPV infection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, NKp80 and 2B4 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry on NK cells from 59 patients with cervical cancer and squamous intraepithelial lesions. NK cell cytotoxicity was evaluated in a 4 hour CFSE/7-AAD flow cytometry assay. HPV types were identified by PCR assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We report here for the first time that NK cell-activating receptors NKp30 and NKp46 are significantly down-regulated in cervical cancer and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) patients. NCRs down-regulation correlated with low cytolytic activity, HPV-16 infection and clinical stage. NKG2D was also down-regulated in cervical cancer patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that NKp30, NKp46 and NKG2D down-regulation represent an evasion mechanism associated to low NK cell activity, HPV-16 infection and cervical cancer progression.</p

Effects of luteectomy in early pregnancy on the maintenance of gestation and plasma progesterone concentrations in the viviparous temperate lizard Barisia imbricata imbricata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have shown that the corpus luteum is the principal source of progesterone during the gravidity period in reptiles; however, its participation in the maintenance of gestation in the viviparous squamata is in dispute. The effects of ovariectomy or luteectomy vary according to the species and the time at which the procedure is performed. In this paper, we describe the effects of luteectomy during early pregnancy on the maintenance of gestation and progesterone concentrations in the temperate Mexican viviparous lizard <it>Barisia imbricata imbricata.</it></p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four lizards were subjected to three different treatments: luteectomy, sham luteectomy or non-surgical treatment, and blood samples were obtained before and after surgical treatment at different stages of gestation to determine the effects of luteectomy on the maintenance of gestation and progesterone concentrations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Spontaneous abortion was not observed in any of the females. However, luteectomy provoked abnormal parturition and a significant reduction in the number of young born alive. Parturition was normal in untreated females as well as those submitted to sham luteectomy. The surgical treatment also caused a significant reduction in progesterone concentrations in luteectomised females during early and middle gestation. However, no significant differences in hormone concentrations were observed among the three groups during late gestation or immediately post-parturition.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our observations indicate that the presence of the corpus luteum is not necesary for the maintenance of gestation, but that it does participate in parturition control. Moreover, the corpus luteum of the viviparous lizard <it>B. i. imbricata</it> produces progesterone, at least during the first half of pregnancy, and that an extra-ovarian source of progesterone must maintain gestation in the absence of luteal tissue.</p

Reporte de Estabilidad Financiera - II semestre 2020

El sistema financiero colombiano no ha sufrido mayores traumatismos estructurales durante estos meses de profunda contracción económica, y ha continuado prestando con normalidad sus funciones básicas, facilitando la respuesta de la economía a condiciones extremas. Ello es el resultado de la solidez de las entidades financieras al inicio de la crisis, reflejada en elevados indicadores de liquidez y solvencia, y de la oportuna respuesta de distintas entidades. El Banco de la República redujo 250 puntos sus tasas de interés de política, hasta 1,75%, el menor nivel desde la creación del nuevo Banco independiente en 1991, y otorgó amplia liquidez transitoria y permanente, tanto en pesos como en moneda extranjera. Por su parte, la Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia adoptó medidas prudenciales para facilitar cambios en las condiciones de los créditos vigentes y reglas transitorias de calificación y constitución de provisiones. Finalmente, el Gobierno Nacional expandió las transferencias y los programas de créditos garantizados a la economía. El acervo de crédito real (i.e. descontando la inflación) en la economía supera hoy en 4% el de hace 12 meses, con crecimientos especialmente marcados en la cartera de vivienda (5,6%) y comercial (4,7%) (2,3% en consumo y -0,1% en microcrédito), pero ha habido cambios importantes en el tiempo. En los meses iniciales de la cuarentena las firmas elevaron fuertemente sus demandas por liquidez, y los consumidores las redujeron, mientras que en los meses recientes la dinámica del crédito a las firmas ha tendido a desacelerarse, y la del crédito a los consumidores y a la vivienda ha crecido. El sistema financiero ha respondido satisfactoriamente a la evolución de la demanda relativa de cada grupo o sector, y el crédito posiblemente crecerá a tasas altas en 2021 si el PIB crece a tasas cercanas a 4,6% como lo espera el equipo técnico del Banco, pero los pronósticos son altamente inciertos. Luego de la fuerte cuarentena implementada por las autoridades en Colombia, las turbulencias observadas en marzo y comienzos de abril, evidentes en el enrojecimiento repentino de variables macroeconómicas en el mapa de riesgos del Gráfico A , y la caída en los precios del petróleo y el carbón (nótese las altas volatilidades registradas en la región de riesgo de mercado del Gráfico A), los mercados financieros locales se estabilizaron con relativa rapidez. En esta estabilización tuvo un papel determinante la respuesta de política creíble y sostenida del Banco de la República en lo referente a la provisión de liquidez, con una fuerte expansión de operaciones repo (y variaciones en montos, plazos, contrapartes e instrumentos admisibles), la compra definitiva de deuda pública y privada, y la reducción del encaje de los bancos. En este sentido, hoy se observa abundante liquidez agregada y mejoras importantes en la posición de liquidez de los fondos de inversión colectiva. En este contexto, el principal factor de incertidumbre para la estabilidad financiera en el corto plazo continúa siendo el alto grado de incertidumbre que rodea a la calidad de la cartera. En primer lugar, es incierta la trayectoria futura del número de contagiados y fallecidos como consecuencia del virus y la eventual necesidad de medidas sanitarias adicionales. Por tal razón, también existe incertidumbre sobre la senda de recuperación de la economía en el corto y mediano plazo. En segundo lugar, es incierto el grado en que el choque actual se reflejará en la calidad de la cartera una vez se materialice el riesgo en los estados financieros. De momento, el mapa de riesgos (Gráfico B) indica que la cartera vencida y la cartera riesgosa no han mostrado mayores deterioros, pero la experiencia histórica indica que períodos de fuerte desaceleración económica tienden a coincidir eventualmente con aumentos de la cartera vencida: los cálculos incluidos en este reporte sugieren que el impacto de la recesión sobre la calidad del crédito en el corto plazo podría ser significativo. Ello es particularmente preocupante teniendo en cuenta que la rentabilidad de los establecimientos de crédito ha venido reduciéndose en meses recientes, lo cual podría afectar su capacidad para otorgar crédito al sector real de la economía. Con el fin de adoptar un enfoque prospectivo de cara a las vulnerabilidades identificadas, este reporte presenta varios ejercicios de sensibilidad (stress tests) que evalúan la resiliencia de la liquidez y la solvencia de los establecimientos de crédito y de los fondos de inversión colectiva ante escenarios hipotéticos que buscan aproximarse a una versión extrema de las condiciones económicas actuales. Los resultados sugieren que, en tales escenarios, se observarían fuertes impactos sobre el volumen de crédito y la rentabilidad de los establecimientos de crédito, aunque los indicadores agregados de solvencia total y básica permanecerían en niveles superiores a los límites regulatorios durante el horizonte de los ejercicios. Al tiempo, los ejercicios resaltan la alta capacidad que tiene la liquidez del sistema para enfrentar escenarios adversos. En cumplimiento de sus objetivos constitucionales y en coordinación con la red de seguridad del sistema financiero, el Banco de la República continuará monitoreando de cerca el panorama de estabilidad financiera en esta coyuntura y tomará aquellas decisiones que sean necesarias para garantizar el adecuado funcionamiento de la economía, facilitar los flujos de recursos suficientes de crédito y liquidez, y promover el buen funcionamiento del sistema de pagos. Juan José Echavarría Gerente GeneralRecuadro 1. Consideraciones de largo plazo sobre el acceso temprano al ahorro pensional en Colombia. Autores: Javier E. Pirateque Niño - Daniela X. Gualtero Briceño*Recuadro 2. Indicador de salud financiera para Colombia. Autores: Juan Sebastián Lemus Esquivel - Laura Viviana León Díaz*Recuadro 3. Ejercicios de estrés en tiempos de Covid-19. Autores: Angélica Lizarazo Cuéllar - María Fernanda Meneses*Recuadro 4. Principales medidas tomadas por algunos bancos centrales para canalizar crédito al sector real durante la pandemia. Autor: Daniela X. Gualtero Briceño*Sombreado 1. Efectos de los alivios otorgados a deudores en el marco de la emergencia por el Covid-19. Autor: Eduardo Yanquen

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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