Silvopastoral System Economical and Financial feasibility with Jatropha curcas L. in Manabí, Ecuador / Viabilidad económica y financiera de sistemas silvopastoriles con Jatropha curcas L. en Manabí, Ecuador

ABSTRACT Objective. To assess the economic and financial feasibility of traditional silvopastoral systems for the biofuels production as a contribution to the sustainability of "Piñón for Galapagos" project. Materials and methods. A survey was conducted to 450 small livestock producer in 10 cantons of the Manabí province in order to collect basic agronomic knowledge, management, establishment and costs involved in production of the Piñón ((Jatropha curcas L.)/Savoy (Megathyrsus maximus) silvopastoral systems. For Piñón CP041 production recording plantation in live fence were stablished and for the tradition Piñón, the production of 10 sites were recorded, both systems since 2009. With those data were calculated the following economic indicators: ratio benefit/cost, net present value (NPV), internal rate ratio (IRR) and land expectation value (LEV). Results. The study exhibited a production decrease of Piñón with the passage of time. The CP041 INIAP improved silvopastoral system Piñón showed a B/C 1.07, NPV of USD$ 404.11, LEV US$ 970.23 and IRR of 18%. Followed by silvopastoral system with a local Piñón with a B/C 1.06, NPV of USD$ 363.66, LEV USD$ 873.10 and IRR of 17% and finally silvopastoral system without harvesting Piñón with a B/C 1.05, NPV of USD$ 285.72, LEV USD$ 685.99 and IRR of 15%. Conclusions. The alternative biofuels production was the silvopastoral systems (INIAP CP041)/Savoya in Manabí and is economically feasible. This system does not compete for arable land for food production and would not affect food security.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar la viabilidad económica y financiera de los sistemas silvopastoriles tradicionales para la producción de Biocombustibles como aporte a la sostenibilidad del proyecto "Piñón para Galápagos". Materiales y Métodos. Se llevaron a cabo encuestas a 450 pequeños productores ganaderos de 10 cantones de la provincia de Manabí con la finalidad de colectar información agronómica, manejo, costos implicados en establecimiento y producción de los sistemas silvopastoriles vigentes de Piñón (Jatropha curcas L.)/Saboya (Megathyrsus maximus). Para recopilar datos de producción del Piñón establecido en cercas vivas de Piñón INIAP CP041 e igualmente se registró la producción de sistemas en 10 sitios, desde el año 2009. Con estos datos se calcularon los siguientes indicadores financieros radio beneficio/costo (B/C), valor actual neto (VAN), tasa interna de retorno (TIR) y valor de expectativa de la tierra (VET). Resultados. El estudio mostró una disminución de la producción del Piñón con el transcurso del tiempo. El sistema silvopastoril mejorado con Piñón INIAP CP041 mostró B/C 1.07, VAN de USD$ 404.11, VET USD$ 970.23 y TIR de 18%. Seguido del sistema silvopastoril con Piñón local con un B/C 1.06, VAN de USD$ 363.66, VET USD$ 873.10 y TIR de 17% y finalmente sistema silvopastoril sin cosecha del Piñón con un B/C 1.05, VAN de USD$ 285.72, VET USD$ 685.99 y TIR de 15%. Conclusiones. La alternativa de producción de biocombustibles con sistemas silvopastoriles Piñón (INIAP CP041)/Saboya en Manabí es el sistema de mayor rentabilidad y no competiría por superficies de cultivo para la producción de alimentos, sin afectar a la seguridad alimentaria.

Análisis de la evidencia disponible para el consumo de edulcorantes no calóricos. Documento de expertos / Analysis of the available evidence for the intake of non-caloric sweeteners. Expert document

Resumen Los edulcorantes no calóricos representan una buena alternativa para sustituir los sabores dulces sin la respuesta fisiológica que genera el consumo de azúcares. Por sí solos no son herramientas para el control de peso. Su consumo debe ir acompañado de una dieta correcta y un estilo de vida saludable que incluya actividad física. Su utilidad radica en proporcionar el agradable sabor dulce sin el aporte energético. La inocuidad de cada uno de los compuestos aprobados está comprobada y se reevalúa constantemente para tomar en cuenta los resultados de nuevos estudios. Debido a que no existe un edulcorante perfecto, la variedad ayuda a que se desarrollen productos cada vez más agradables para el consumidor. Este trabajo es fruto de una revisión exhaustiva de la bibliografía y de las discusiones de un panel de expertos de diversas especialidades: toxicología, ginecoobstetricia, pediatría, endocrinología, nutrición, medicina interna, salud pública y medicina preventiva, en el que se analizó extensamente la bibliografía se revisó una variedad de trabajos científicos que responden a las interrogantes que habitualmente se hacen los profesionales de la salud acerca de seguridad en diferentes grupos etáreos y con afecciones específicas, ingestión diaria admisible, etc.

Abstract Non-caloric sweeteners are a good alternative to replace the sweet flavors without the physiological response generated by the consumption of sugars. Alone they are not tools for weight control. Its intake must be accompanied by a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity. Its usefulness lies in providing a pleasant sweet taste without the energy intake. The safety of each of the compounds is tested and approved and constantly reassessed to take into account the results of new studies. Since there is no perfect sweetener, variety helps that more and more pleasing to the consumer products are developed. This work is the result of a comprehensive review of the literature and discussions of a panel of experts from various specialties: toxicology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, endocrinology, nutrition, internal medicine, public health and preventive medicine, where literature was widely analyzed reviewing a variety of scientific papers that address the questions that usually are made by health professionals on safety in different age groups and with specific diseases, acceptable daily intake, etc.

Seasons and planting densities interaction on forage production of eight hybrids maize, Ecuador / Interacción época/densidad de siembra sobre la producción de ocho híbridos de maíz forrajeros, Ecuador

Objective. To assess the interaction effect of the season and planting densities on the production of eight INIAP corn hybrids. Materials and methods. A research process was conducted in 2013. It was applied a split - split plot design with three replication and Tukey test was used. It was evaluated two planting seasons (28 January and 8 April), they were placed in large plots. Two planting densities (65.500 y 125.000 plants/ha), that were located in the subplots and eight INIAP corn hybrids arranged in the sub- subplots. The evaluated variables were Fresh Matter, Dry Matter, Plant Height and Crude Protein Results. Fresh Matter and Crude Protein productions were influenced by planting seasons. Plant densities affected the production of Fresh Matter, Dry Matter and Plant Height, as well as the interaction season by corn INIAP hybrids. While INIAP corn hybrids showed statistical differences in the production of Fresh, Dry Matter, Plant Height and Crude Protein. The eight INIAP hybrids productions were: Fresh Matter (58.86 ton/ha ±5.19); Dry Matter (21.45 ton/ha ±4.71); Plant Height (2.46 m ±0.16) and Crude Protein (10.6±1.12). Conclusions. The performance showed by hybrids INIAP CML-172, INIAP 6021 and INIAP 551 were very acceptable forage material and could be used for silage purposes.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de la interacción época y densidad de siembra en ocho híbridos de maíz para producción de forraje sobre la obtención de materia fresca MF, seca MS, altura de planta AP y proteína cruda PC. Materiales y métodos. Se empleó un diseño de parcela dos veces dividida con tres repeticiones. Se evaluó el efecto de dos épocas de siembra (28 de enero y el 8 de abril) que se dispusieron en la parcelas grandes, dos densidades de siembra (65.500 y 125.000 plantas/ha) que se ubicaron en las subparcelas y ocho híbridos de maíz INIAP dispuestas en las sub-subparcelas. Las variables evaluadas fueron producción de MF, MS, AP y PC. Resultados. La época de siembra tuvo su influencia sobre la producción de MF y contenido de PC. La densidad de cultivo y época de siembra afectó la producción de MF, MS y AP por híbridos de maíz. Mientras que los híbridos INIAP de maíz mostraron diferencias estadísticas (p<0.001) en la producción de MF, MS, AP y PC. La producción de los ocho híbridos INIAP fue de MF (58.86 Ton/ha ±5.19); MS (21.45 Ton/ha ±4.71); AP (2.46 m±0.16) y PC (10.6±1.12). Conclusiones. Los rendimientos mostrados por los híbridos INIAP CML 172, INIAP 6021 e INIAP 551 son materiales aceptables con relación a las variables evaluadas y pueden ser empleados especialmente para ensilaje.

The combination of atorvastatin and ethanol is not more hepatotoxic to rats than the administration of each drug alone

Animal studies and premarketing clinical trials have revealed hepatotoxicity of statins, primarily minor elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The combined chronic use of medicines and eventual ethanol abuse are common and may present a synergistic action regarding liver injury. Our objective was to study the effect of the chronic use of atorvastatin associated with acute ethanol administration on the liver in a rat model. One group of rats was treated daily for 5 days a week for 2 months with 0.8 mg/kg atorvastatin by gavage. At the end of the treatment the livers were perfused with 72 mM ethanol for 60 min. Control groups (at least 4 animals in each group) consisted of a group of 2-month-old male Wistar EPM-1 rats exposed to 10 percent ethanol (v/v) ad libitum replacing water for 2 months, followed by perfusion of the liver with 61 nM atorvastatin for 60 min, and a group of animals without chronic ethanol treatment whose livers were perfused with atorvastatin and/or ethanol. The combination of atorvastatin with ethanol did not increase the release of injury marker enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactic dehydrogenase) from the liver and no change in liver function markers (bromosulfophthalein clearance, and oxygen consumption) was observed. Our results suggest that the combination of atorvastatin with ethanol is not more hepatotoxic than the separate use of each substance.

Substâncias vasoativas e a modulaçäo do sistema microvascular hepático / Vasoactive substances and the modulation of the hepatic microvascular system

Objetivo. Revisão da filogênese e ontogênese hepáticas, do sistema microvascular hepático e da modulação do tônus deste sistema vascular por diferentes substâncias vasoativas. Método. Levantamento de artigos por meio do sistema Medline e consulta a livros-texto. Resultado. Foram selecionados 52 trabalhos publicados entre 1949, dos quais retiramos as informações a respeito de filogênese e ontogênese hepáticas, sistema microvascular hepático e mecanismos de controle do tônus vascular hepático. Conclusão. O fígado possui sistema vascular altamente especializado na promoção de mecanismos de troca entre hepatócitos e sangue. Diferentes fatores atuam continuamente sobre estruturas contrácteis deste sistema vascular adequando a perfusão do tecido hepático às necessidades homeostáticas de cada momento. O fígado é órgão eminentemente mantenedor do meio interno.

Enzima inativadora de bradicinina liberada de fígado preservado ex-vivo / Bradykinin-inactivating enzyme is released from the ex-vivo stored liver

Objetivo - Ofígado inativa quantidades consideráveis de bradicinina; a principal enzima hepática cinino-inativadora (BIE, bradykinin inativating endopeptidase) hidrolisa especificamente a ligaçao Phe-Ser do nonapeptídio e foi caracterizada como sendo a oligoendopeptidase EC 3.4. 24.15. No transplante ortotópico de fígado existe correlaçao entre aumento da concentraçao de aminoácidos no líquido de preservaçao (conseqUência de proteólise) e falência do enxerto. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se ocorre liberaçao da BIE de fígados preservados ex-vivo no líquido Braun-Collins ou em soluçao de Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonato (Krebs). Método. Fígado de ratos Wistar (180-220g) foram exsangüinados e a pós remoçao foram preservados em líquido Braun Collins ou em soluçao Krebs, a 4 graus Celsius. Foram retiradas alíquotas do líquido de preservaçao nos tempos 0, 4, 8 e 24 horas, para dosagem de ALT, AST, DHL e BIE. A atividade fluorimétrica da BIE foi ensaiada com o substrato Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp (análogo sintético da bradicinina) e sua presença confirmada por immunoblotting, revelado com anticorpo específico anti-EC 3.4.24.15. Resultados. A liberaçao de ALT, AST, DHL e BIE é significativa no período 8-24 hs. Nas alíquotas de 24 hs, em relaçao ao tempo zero, a concentraçao das quatro enzimas aumentou, respectivamente, no líquido Braun Collins, 8, 7, 19 e 10 vezes e, na soluçao de Krebs, 21, 17, 27 e 21 vezes; a relaçao ALT/DHL foi sempre inferior a um. Conclusao. Ocorre liberaçao de BIE durante a preservaçao ex-vivo do fígado, o que poderá servir como indicaçao da condiçao de preservaçao do enxerto; diminuiçao da capacidade cinino-inativadora do fígado poderá afetar sua reatividade vascular.

Flujo sanguíneo cerebral regional mediante Spect con [99m-Tc]-HM-PAO en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson / Regional cerebral blood flow by Spect whit [99m-Tc]-HM-PAO in patients whit Parkinson disease

Se correlacionó el flujo cerebral regional (FSCr) mediante SPECT con [99m-Tc]-HM-PAO con las características clínicas más importantes en 25 pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática (EP) y se comparó con un grupo control de 9 individuos sanos apareados en edad. Se calcularon índices de actividad relativa en 11 pares de regiones de interés (ROIs) corticales y subcorticales. Además, se determinó un índice de asimetría izquierdo-derecha para cada par de ROIs. Aunque se observaron asimetrías y déficits de la perfusión estriatal en varios pacientes, los valores medios no fueron diferentes a los del grupo control. No se encontró una relación entre el FSCr y los siguientes parámetros clínicos: lateralidad, signo predominante, tiempo de evolución y estadío de la enfermedad. Sólo se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las regiones temporales de ambos hemisferios cerebrales (p < 0,05) y asociada al deterioro cognitivo global. En 7 casos con demencia asociada (DSM-III-R) se observó una disminución bilateral significativa del FSCr de las ROIs temporales (p < 0,01 - lado izquierdo, p < 0,05 - lado derecho), frontales (p < 0,05) y parietal posterior (p < 0,05). Estos resultados sugieren que la perfusión a nivel temporal está asociada a la función cognitiva global y que la técnica de SPECT con [99m-TE]-HM-PAO es especialmente útil para apoyar, junto a criterios clínicos y neuropsicológicos, la presencia de un síndrome demencial en pacientes con EP

Flujo sanguíneo cerebral regional mediante SPECT con [99m-Tc]-HM-PAO en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson / Regional cerebral blood flow by [99mTc]-HM-PAO brain SPECT in patients with Parkinso'n disease

Se correlacionó el flujo sanguíneo cerebral regional (FSCr) mediante SPECT con [99m-Tc] HM-PAO con las características clínicas más importantes en 25 pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson idiopáÜica (EP) y se comparó con un grupo control de 9 individuos sanos apareados en edad. Se calcularon índices de actividad relativa en 11 pares de regiones de interés (ROIs) corticales y subcorticales. Además, se determinó un índice de asimetría izquierdo-derecha para cada para de ROIs. Aunque se observaron asimetrías y déficits de la perfusión estriatal en varios pacientes, los valores medios no fueron diferentes a los del grupo control. No se encontró una relación entre el FSCr y los siguientes parámetros clínicos: lateralidad, signo predominante, tiempo de evolución y estadío de la enfermedad. Sólo se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las regiones temporales de ambos hemisferios cerebrales (p<0,05) y asociada al deterioro cognitivo global. En 7 casos con demencia asociada (DSM-III-R) se observó una disminución bilateral significativa del FSCr de las ROLs temporales (p<0,05) y parietal posterior (p<0,05). Estos resultados sugieren que la perfusión a nivel temporal está asociada a la función cognitiva global y que la técnica de SPECT con [99m TE]-HM-PAO es especialmente útil para apoyar, junto a criterios clínicos y neuropsicológicos, la presencia de un síndrome demencial en pacientes con EP

Depuraçäo hepática da calicreína plasmática na cirrose experimental / Plasma kallikrein clearance by the liver in experimental cirrhosis

OBJETIVO. Estudar a depuraçao de glicoproteína, e calicreína plasmática, pelo fígado de ratos com cirrose descompensada. MATERIAL E MÉTODO. Produçao de cirrose pela administraçao de tetracloreto de carbono, 520 mg/kg de peso corporal, uma vez por semana, intragastricamente, durante 16 a 19 semanas. Após o período de tratamento cada fígado foi isolado, exsanguinado e perfundido a 37 graus Celsius com calicreína plasmática de rato (CPR) 10nM. A velocidade de depuraçao da CPR na cirrose foi comparada com a de grupos-controle. RESULTADOS. 58 por cento dos animais morreram durante o tratamento. Os sobreviventes desenvolveram prostraçao, ascite, icterícia e sangramentos; ao final do período de tratamento as aminotransferases séricas eram normais e a albumina sérica diminuída. A histologia hepática (hematoxilina-eosina e coloraçao para reticulina) mostrou cirrose no grupo tratado. A velocidade de depuraçao hepática da CPR no grupo cirrótico (5,4 + 0,9pmol/g fígado/10 min) foi significativamente menor (p < 0,05) do que no grupo controle (13,5 + 2,7pmol/g fígado/10min). CONCLUSAO. O desenvolvimento de cirrose descompensada acompanha-se de diminuiçao da capacidade hepática de depurar glicoproteína, que é internalizada por endocitose mediada por receptor.

Evolutive levels of NGF in neurodegenerative disorders

The two-site enzyme immunoassasy (EIA) using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) 27/21 is a valuable method capable of detecting mouse and human NGF quantitatively (Soderstrom et al., 1990). The presence of NGF in serum has been controversial, since t6he previous assay methods failed to detect circulating NGF. Recently, we described the immunological detection of low levels of NGF in human serum samples and introduced a blocking test validating the specificity of the immunoreactivity for NGF in human serum (Lorigados et al., 1982). In the present work, we applied this two-site EIA using monoclonal NGF antibody 27/21 in the study of NGF serum levels from diverse neurodegenerative disorders. We also studied evolutive samples of Parkinson's patients that received neural transplant

Regional cerebral blood flow by brain SPECT 99Tcm-HMPAO in patients with Parkinson disease before and after foetal tissue transplantation: report of four cases

Serial evaluation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was performed by brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) 99Tcm-HMPAO (hexamethylpropylene amine oxime) in four patients with Parkinson's disease who showed motor complications associated with pre-operation L-dopa treatment and received stereotactic foetal tissue transplantation in the right caudate nucleus and putamen. The rCBF was studied 12 h off drug treatment before transplantation and 1, 6 and 12 months after operation. The study included four age matched healthy volunteers. In the pre-surgical studies, all cases showed hypoperfusion in the bilateral temporal and parietal regions. Also, in two patients moderate hypoperfusion was fond on the contralateral side most clinically affected. In the post-surgical studies, a generalized decrease of the cortical rCBF was assessed in all casesqhn studied one month after grafting, improving after six month. In the striatal region, no significant changes were observed in the study aafter one month, but there were differences after six months, when all patients showed a significant increase to the right side (per cent change of 16, 11, 9 and 14, respectively). In the study 12 months after grafting, no significant changes were found compared with the six month study. The changes in rCBF observed after surgery in all patients were accompanied by a progressive improvement in their neurological performance, mainly because the motor complications associated with L-dopa therapy and daily dose requirement were reduced, also improving the drug response. These results suggest that the increase of perfusion at the implantation site may be related to the graf's viability

CT-oriented microrecording guide selective thalamotomy

A further trial of CT-oriented microrecording guided stereotactic selective thalamotomy was conducted at the centro Internacional de Restauraciøn Neuroløgica, Havana City as treatment of resting tremor in 11 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and in 3 other patients with intentional tremor associated with multisystemic atrophy and cerebral palsy. Three of the parkinsonian patients had undergone fetal mesencephalic tissue transplantation with significant improvement of the most debilitating symptoms of PD and stabilization the motor state, but predominantly unilateral tremor had impaired them progressively despite increased levodopa doses. A Leksell frame was used with a novel surgical planning system and electrophysiological recording to identify the optimal target point inside the ventralis intermedius. In all but case, the tremor was totally arrested. No persistent complications were observed

Stereotactic retransplantation in Parkinson's disease: clinical, imaging and electrophysiological evidence of adrenal brain graft viability

In March 1993, a patient with idiopathic Parkinson disease who had received an adrenal brain autograft 6 years before underwent bilateral stereotactic transplantation of a mesencephalic cell suspension into the striatum, in order to prevent further deterioration in his neurological condition. During the CT-guided surgical planning and the transplantation procedures, electrophysiological evidence of the adrenal graft viability was assessed. Based on these findings, we drew the preliminary conclusion that the chromaffin tissue implanted in April 1987 is still functional, which explains the clinical evolution of this patient during the postoperative long-term follow-up