HEMATOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR SPANISH IBEX

ABSTRACT: We studied blood samples from 529 Spanish ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) from different Andalusian mountain ranges in southern Spain, primarily from Sierra Nevada. For each sample, 13 hematologic and 32 biochemical parameters were analyzed. Within this database, we selected values obtained from live, free-ranging, physically restrained, clinically normal animals to determine reference intervals for these parameters. Distribution of values within each parameter was determined and differences in values between sex and age classes also were determined. We found significant differences in eight biochemical parameters among male and female ibexes. Significant differences in values for 20 hematologic and biochemical parameters between age classes also were found

Development of EST-SSR Markers by Data Mining in Three Species of Shrimp: Litopenaeus vannamei, Litopenaeus stylirostris, and Trachypenaeus birdy

Abstract We report on the data mining of publicly available Litopenaeus vannamei expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to generate simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers and on their transferability between related Penaeid shrimp species. Repeat motifs were found in 3.8% of the evaluated ESTs at a frequency of one repeat every 7.8 kb of sequence data. A total of 206 primer pairs were designed, and 112 loci were amplified with the highest success in L. vannamei. A high percentage (69%) of EST-SSRs were transferable within the genus Litopenaeus. More than half of the amplified products were polymorphic in a small testing panel of L. vannamei. Evaluation of those primers in a larger testing panel showed that 72% of the markers fit Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which shows their utility for population genetic analysis. Additionally, a set of 26 of the EST-SSRs were evaluated for Mendelian segregation. A high percentage of monomorphic markers (46%) proved to be polymorphic by singles-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis. Because of the high number of ESTs available in public databases, a data mining approach similar to the one outlined here might yield high numbers of SSR markers in many animal taxa

Invariant recognition of polychromatic images of Vibrio cholerae O1

Abstract. Cholera is an acute intestinal infectious disease. It has claimed many lives throughout history, and it continues to be a global health threat. Cholera is considered one of the most important emergence diseases due its relation with global climate changes. Automated methods such as optical systems represent a new trend to make more accurate measurements of the presence and quantity of this microorganism in its natural environment. Automatic systems eliminate observer bias and reduce the analysis time. We evaluate the utility of coherent optical systems with invariant correlation for the recognition of Vibrio cholerae O1. Images of scenes are recorded with a CCD camera and decomposed in three RGB channels. A numeric simulation is developed to identify the bacteria in the different samples through an invariant correlation technique. There is no variation when we repeat the correlation and the variation between images correlation is minimum. The position-, scale-, and rotation-invariant recognition is made with a scale transform through the Mellin transform. The algorithm to recognize Vibrio cholerae O1 is the presence of correlation peaks in the green channel output and their absence in red and blue channels. The discrimination criterion is the presence of correlation peaks in red, green, and blue channels

Physiological Effects of Tapering and Detraining in World-Class Kayakers

. Purpose: This study analyzed changes in neuromuscular, body composition, and endurance markers during 4 wk of tapering and subsequent 5 wk of reduced training (RT) or training cessation (TC). Methods: Fourteen world-class kayakers were randomly assigned to either a TC (n = 7) or an RT group (n = 7). One-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, mean concentric velocity with 45% 1RM (V 45% ) in the bench press (BP) and prone bench pull (PBP) exercises, and body composition assessments were conducted at the start (T0) and end (T1) of a 43-wk training program, after tapering for the world championships (T2) and after TC or RT (T3). A graded exercise test on a kayak ergometer for determination of maximal oxygen uptake at T0, T1, and T3 was also performed. Results: After tapering, no significant changes were observed in 1RM or V 45% . TC resulted in significantly greater declines in 1RM strength (j8.9% and j7.8%, P G 0.05, respectively, for BP and PBP) than those observed for RT (j3.9% and j3.4%). Decreases in V 45% in BP and PBP were larger for TC (j12.6% and j10.0%) than for RT (j9.0% and j6.7%). Increases in sum of eight skinfolds were observed after both TC and RT, whereas declines in maximal aerobic power were lower for RT (j5.6%) than for TC (j11.3%). Conclusions: Short-term TC results in large decreases in maximal strength and especially V 45% in highly trained athletes. These results suggest the need of performing a minimal maintenance program to avoid excessive declines in neuromuscular function in cases where a prolonged break from training is required. Key Words: TRAINING CESSATION, REDUCED TRAINING, MAXIMAL STRENGTH, MUSCLE POWER, CANOEING A well-known and proven effective coaching strategy for improving sports performance before main competition events is to incorporate a tapering phase of significantly reduced training (RT) volume while the intensity is kept high The incorporation of periods of 3-6 wk of training cessation (TC) after the conclusion of the main event of the season to allow physical and mental recovery before the start of a new training cycle is a common training practice in many sports. In these situations, training reduction is generally preferred over complete exercise stoppage because it seems to be more effective to avoid the negative impact of insufficient training stimuli on athletic performance (21). The magnitude of performance declines observed after detraining periods appears to be related to the chosen recovery strategy (i.e., reduced training (RT) or complete training cessation (TC)), initial fitness level, and total time under reduced or absence of training stimuli Current research seems to indicate that neuromuscular performance is more susceptible to decline because of detraining in highly trained athletes compared with recently or moderately trained individual

A systematic review on the effects of local antimicrobials as adjuncts to subgingival debridement, compared with subgingival debridement alone, in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

systematic review on the effects of local antimicrobials as adjuncts to subgingival debridement, compared with subgingival debridement alone, in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. J Clin Periodontol 2013; 40: 227-241. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12026. Abstract Aims: To update the existing scientific evidence on the efficacy of local antimicrobials as adjuncts to subgingival debridement in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Material and Methods: Fifty-six papers were selected, reporting data from 52 different investigations. All the studies reported changes in probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) and most in plaque index (PlI) and/or bleeding on probing (BOP). Meta-analyses were performed with the data retrieved from the studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Results: The overall effect of the subgingival application of antimicrobials was statistically significant (p = 0.000) for both changes in PPD and CAL with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of À0.407 and À0.310 mm respectively. No significant differences occurred for changes in BOP and PlI. Subgingival application of tetracycline fibres, sustained released doxycycline and minocycline demonstrated a significant benefit in PPD reduction (WMD between 0.5 and 0.7 mm). The rest of the tested outcomes demonstrated a high heterogeneity. The local application of chlorhexidine and metronidazole showed a minimal effect when compared with placebo (WMD between 0.1 and 0.4 mm). Conclusions: The scientific evidence supports the adjunctive use of local antimicrobials to debridement in deep or recurrent periodontal sites, mostly when using vehicles with proven sustained release of the antimicrobial

The role of triplet states in the long wavelength absorption region of bromine nitrate

A theoretical study of the low-lying singlet and triplet electronic states of BrONO 2 is presented. Calculations of excitation energies and oscillator strengths are reported using excited-state coupled cluster response methods, as well as the complete active space self-consistent field method with the full Breit-Pauli spin-orbit operator. The calculations predict that there is only one singlet state for BrONO 2 , the à 1 AЉ state, that is accessible at wavelengths longer than 300 nm. At energies below the first singlet state, i.e., Ͼ330 nm, the calculations reveal two triplet states with significant oscillator strength. Therefore, we propose that the origin of absorption in the long wavelength region from 350 to 500 nm, responsible for the majority of atmospheric photolysis, is due to transitions to triplet states and not singlet states. A comparison of the reported benchmark coupled cluster calculations ͑CCSD͒ with the results of ͑1͒ configuration interaction with all single substitutions and a perturbative correction for the double substitutions ͓CIS͑D͔͒ and ͑2͒ time-dependent density-functional ͑TDDF͒ calculations is provided. For the lowest energy excitations, CIS͑D͒ calculations provide quantitative agreement with the CCSD results, while TDDF calculations yield qualitative agreement

Microbial interactions associated with secondary cucumber fermentation

Abstract Aims: To evaluate the interaction between selected yeasts and bacteria and associate their metabolic activity with secondary cucumber fermentation. Methods and Results: Selected yeast and bacteria, isolated from cucumber secondary fermentations, were inoculated as single and mixed cultures in a cucumber juice model system. Our results confirmed that during storage of fermented cucumbers and in the presence of oxygen, spoilage yeasts are able to grow and utilize the lactic and acetic acids present in the medium, which results in increased brine pH and the chemical reduction in the environment. These conditions favour opportunistic bacteria that continue the degradation of lactic acid. Lactobacillus buchneri, Clostridium bifermentans and Enterobacter cloacae were able to produce acetic, butyric and propionic acids, respectively, when inoculated in the experimental medium at pH 4Á6. Yeast and bacteria interactions favoured the survival of Cl. bifermentans and E. cloacae at the acidic pH typical of fermented cucumbers (3Á2), but only E. cloacae was able to produce a secondary product. Conclusions: The methodology used in this study confirmed that a complex microbiota is responsible for the changes observed during fermented cucumber secondary fermentation and that certain microbial interactions may be essential for the production of propionic and butyric acids. Significance and Impact of the Study: Understanding the dynamics of the development of secondary cucumber fermentation aids in the identification of strategies to prevent its occurrence and economic losses for the pickling industry