Influence of Animal Feeding on Milk Supply in Navarre

Determining the competitive position of dairy farms depends on several technological, economic and institutional variables. Among them, are remarkable those related to animal feeding in the current context of high variability on prices. In this context, the aim of our study is to analyze the effects on milk supply and the competitiveness of dairy farms with different models of land intensification, with greater reliance on market purchases or self production of livestock feed. Our work is based on an econometric approach to a variable cost function, in a fixed effects model for unbalanced panel data of specialized dairy farms in Navarre (Spain). From this region, we use 3 geographical areas in relation to the availability of grazing land. It has been tested the absence of sample selection bias and satisfaction of regularity conditions. The study shows a flexible milk farm supply with respect to the price of milk and very dependent on the evolution of feed prices. This aspect has been emphasized by the restructuring of farms, characterized by strong size increases and productivity gains based on a greater reliance on purchases of animal feed. The provision of grazing land has an important role in determining the average costs and farm profitability. In addition, grazing land use permits greater exploitation of economies of scale present in the dairy sector.multiproduct cost function, panel data, milk, animal feed, dairy farms, Livestock Production/Industries,

Effects on milk supply of different systems of livestock feeding

Determining the competitive position of dairy farms depends on several technological, economic and institutional variables. Among them, are remarkable those related to animal feeding in the current context of high variability on prices. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the effects on milk supply and the competitiveness of dairy farms with different models of land intensification, with greater reliance on market purchases or self-production of livestock feed. This study is based on an econometric approach to a variable cost function, in a fixed effects model for unbalanced panel data of specialized dairy farms in Navarre (Spain). From this region, we use 3 geographical areas in relation to the availability of grazing land. It has been tested the absence of sample selection bias and satisfaction of regularity conditions. The study shows a flexible milk farm supply with respect to the price of milk and very dependent on the evolution of feed prices. This aspect has been emphasized by the restructuring of farms, characterized by strong size increases and productivity gains based on a greater reliance on purchases of animal feed. The provision of grazing land has an important role in determining the average costs and farm profitability. In addition, grazing land use permits greater exploitation of economies of scale present in the dairy sector.multiproduct cost function, unbalanced panel data, milk supply, animal feed, dairy farms., Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Q12, D24, L25,

The Efficacy of Therapeutic Respiratory Muscle Training Interventions in People with Bronchiectasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Respiratory muscle dysfunction is an important health problem with high morbidity and mortality and associated costs in patients with bronchiectasis (BC). The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of therapeutic respiratory muscle training (RMT) interventions on improving sputum clearance, ventilator function, muscle strength and functional capacity in BC. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Two independent investigators searched using several electronic databases. The methodological quality of nine studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Study selection/eligibility criteria: The following were included: randomised controlled trials, randomised crossover trials and pilot studies of patients with BC that used the intervention as RMT (inspiratory/expiratory) and evaluations of respiratory muscle strength (maximal expiratory pressure/maximal inspiratory pressure). This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017075101). Nine studies were included, five of which obtained an A recommendation grade, three with B, and one with C. Study quality was poor to good (mean PEDro Score of 6.375 out of 10). Studies had small sample sizes (8-98). Results show improvements on PImax in favour of therapeutic respiratory muscle training intervention (MD = 6.08; 95% CI = 1.38, 10.77; p < 0.01; I-2 = 92%). However, high heterogeneity was identified on meta-analysis

A multidimensional perspective of the relation between social isolation and depression among Portuguese older adults

We aimed to explore how different social isolation components were associated with depression among older adults in Portugal. We analysed data collected through structured questionnaires in 2017 from 643 Portuguese adults aged 60 and over. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short-Form). Social isolation was operationalised using objective indicators –living alone, marital status, leisure activities –and subjective indicator –perceived social support. Because social isolation is a multidimensional construct that is likely to be more than the sum of its components, cluster analysis was conducted to group individuals into social isolation profiles. Associations were estimated using adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Five profiles were identified: Cluster 1 (partnered; high social support; high variety of leisure activities); Cluster 2 (partnered; high social support; few leisure activities); Cluster 3 (not partnered; low social support; few leisure activities); Cluster 4 (living alone; high social support; high variety of leisure activities); Cluster 5 (partnered; high social support; limited variety of leisure activities). Compared with Cluster 1, participants in Cluster 2 were three times more likely to have depression, independent of age, gender, education, comorbidities and self-rated health (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.38–6.71). Participants in Cluster 3 presented the highest probability of depression that was not explained by any of the confounders (OR = 4.74; 95% CI: 2.15–10.44). Older adults living alone are not necessarily more prone to depression, with social support and leisure activities playing an important role. To disentangle how social isolation affects health, objective and subjective isolation measures should be considered

Patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during colonoscopy diagnosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>No recognized risk factors can be identified in 10-40% of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients suggesting that the modes of transmission involved could be underestimated or unidentified. Invasive diagnostic procedures, such as endoscopy, have been considered as a potential HCV transmission route; although the actual extent of transmission in endoscopy procedures remains controversial. Most reported HCV outbreaks related to nosocomial acquisition have been attributed to unsafe injection practices and use of multi-dose vials. Only a few cases of likely patient-to-patient HCV transmission via a contaminated colonoscope have been reported to date. Nosocomial HCV infection may have important medical and legal implications and, therefore, possible transmission routes should be investigated. In this study, a case of nosocomial transmission of HCV from a common source to two patients who underwent colonoscopy in an endoscopy unit is reported.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A retrospective epidemiological search after detection of index cases revealed several potentially infective procedures: sample blood collection, use of a peripheral catheter, anesthesia and colonoscopy procedures. The epidemiological investigation showed breaches in colonoscope reprocessing and deficiencies in the recording of valuable tracing data. Direct sequences from the NS5B region were obtained to determine the extent of the outbreak and cloned sequences from the E1-E2 region were used to establish the relationships among intrapatient viral populations. Phylogenetic analyses of individual sequences from viral populations infecting the three patients involved in the outbreak confirmed the patient pointed out by the epidemiological search as the source of the outbreak. Furthermore, the sequential order in which the patients underwent colonoscopy correlates with viral genetic variability estimates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patient-to-patient transmission of HCV could be demonstrated although the precise route of transmission remained unclear. Viral genetic variability is proposed as a useful tool for tracing HCV transmission, especially in recent transmissions.</p

Predictor variables of family empowerment in family-centred early intervention

Objetivo: Determinar algunas de las variables predictoras de empoderamiento familiar en los servicios de atención temprana que implementan prácticas centradas en la familia. Método: Se plantea en una muestra de 431 familias que reciben servicios de atención temprana en Espa˜na, un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple, para definir la relación entre las siguientes variables: tipo de prácticas en atención temprana, nivel de apoyos, estatus socioeconómico y diagnóstico de su hijo/a, como predictoras de empoderamiento familiar. Resultados: Los resultados evidencian diferencias significativas entre el empoderamiento de las familias y los apoyos con los que cuentan, también se observan niveles de empoderamiento diferentes en relación al diagnóstico del hijo o la hija con trastornos del neurodesarrollo. Conclusiones: A partir de los resultados, se sugiere reflexionar sobre las prácticas de atención temprana de profesionales en general y logopedas en particular, para potenciar el impacto sobre el empoderamiento de las familias, mejorando la fidelidad en la implementación de prácticas centradas en la familia, y favoreciendo la movilización de recursos y apoyos por parte de la familia, en ese mismo proceso de intervención.Objective: To determine some of the predictive variables of family empowerment in early intervention services that implement family-centred practices. Method: A multiple linear regression analysis is proposed in a sample of 431 families receiving early care services in Spain, to define the relationship between the following variables: type of early intervention practices, supports, socioeconomic status and diagnosis of their child as predictors of family empowerment. Results: The results show significant differences between the empowerment of the families and the supports they have, and different levels of empowerment are observed in relation to the diagnosis of the son or daughter with neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusions: Based on the results, we suggest reflecting on professionals early intervention practices and those of speech therapists in particular, to enhance the impact on empowering families, improving fidelity in the implementation of family-centred practices, and favouring the mobilisation of resources and supports by the family, in that same intervention process.Educació

Estructura de los procesos de software en los sistemas de información gerencial que se aplica en la parte agrícola

Information systems have become a great ally for the management of large volumes of data that are part of adequate decision-making when it is analyzed and processed and this generates answers, reports and organized data that the human mind is incapable of. to process by itself and with that speed. Based on this, the objective of this research is to determine the software structures of management information systems that allow adequate decisions to be made in the agricultural field. The research method used in the work is the comparative one, since through a survey generated to the companies and institutions that maintain agricultural processes and also a bibliographic review to carry out a comparative analysis that allowed to know the structures that manage these systems. This is why the research establishes the software structures in the management information systems that provide data for decision-making in the agricultural world and achieve competitive advantages, to achieve sustainability over time.Los sistemas de información se han vuelto en un gran aliado para el manejo de grandes volúmenes de datos que forman parte de toma de decisiones adecuadas cuando se analiza y procesa la misma y esta nos genera respuestas, informes&nbsp; y&nbsp; datos organizados que la mente humana es incapaz de procesar por si sola y con esa rapidez. En base a esto el objetivo de esta investigación es determinar las estructuras de software de los sistemas de información gerencial que permita tomar decisiones adecuadas en el ámbito agrícola. El método de investigación utilizado en el trabajo es el&nbsp; comparativo, ya que a&nbsp; través de una encuesta generada a las empresas e instituciones que mantienen procesos agrícolas&nbsp; y también&nbsp; una revisión bibliográfica para&nbsp;&nbsp;realizar un análisis-comparativo que permitió conocer las estructuras que manejan dichos sistemas. Es por esto que la investigación establece las estructuras de software en los sistemas de información gerencial que proporcionan datos para la toma de decisiones en el mundo agrícola y logren ventajas competitivas, para lograr sostenibilidad en el tiempo

Exploratory study on microRNA profiles from plasma-derived extracellular vesicles in Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies

Altres ajuts: This work was also supported by the MaratóTV3 grant 201405/10.Because of the increasing life expectancy in our society, aging-related neurodegenerative disorders are one of the main issues in global health. Most of these diseases are characterized by the deposition of misfolded proteins and a progressive cognitive decline. Among these diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are the most common types of degenerative dementia. Although both show specific features, an important neuropathological and clinical overlap between them hampers their correct diagnosis. In this work, we identified molecular biomarkers aiming to improve the misdiagnosis between both diseases. Plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) -from DLB, AD and healthy controls- were isolated using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and characterized by flow cytometry, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and cryo-electron microscopy. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and related bibliographic search was performed and a selected group of EV-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) was analysed by qPCR. Results uncovered two miRNAs (hsa-miR-451a and hsa-miR-21-5p) significantly down-regulated in AD samples respect to DLB patients, and a set of four miRNAs (hsa-miR-23a-3p, hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-let-7i-5p, and hsa-miR-151a-3p) significantly decreased in AD respect to controls. The two miRNAs showing decreased expression in AD in comparison to DLB provided area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.9 in ROC curve analysis, thus suggesting their possible use as biomarkers to discriminate between both diseases. Target gene analysis of these miRNAs using prediction online tools showed accumulation of phosphorylation enzymes, presence of proteasome-related proteins and genes involved in cell death among others. Our data suggest that plasma-EV associated miRNAs may reflect a differential profile for a given dementia-related disorder which, once validated in larger cohorts of patients, could help to improve the differential diagnosis of DLB versus AD. The online version of this article (10.1186/s40035-019-0169-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users