Claw horn lesions in mid-lactation primiparous dairy cows under pasture-based systems: Association with behavioral and metabolic changes around calving.

The objectives of this study were to describe the lying behavior of primiparous dairy cows under pasture-based systems during the pre- and postcalving period and characterize the association of lying behavior and analytes related to energy metabolism during this period with claw horn disruption lesion development later in lactation. Our convenience sample included 39 primiparous Holstein cows from 3 commercial farms that were assessed for body condition score (BCS; 5-point scale, 0.25-point increments) and had blood collected at wk -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, and 3 relative to calving date. Blood samples were assayed for nonesterified fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and cholesterol concentrations. Electronic data loggers (HOBO Pendant G Acceleration, Onset Computer Corporation, Bourne, MA) recorded lying behavior at 1-min intervals from 3 wk before calving to 3 wk after calving. Starting at 4 wk after calving and until 16 wk after calving, cows were examined for claw lesions at approximately 4-wk intervals. Sole lesions and white line lesions were scored on a 0 to 10 scale. Of the 39 primiparous cows, 19 cows scored 0 at all exams during the entire study period and 20 cows had at least 1 severe lesion (score ≥4) between 8 and 16 wk after calving. Time spent lying before calving averaged 10.3 ± 0.3 h/d, but declined to 7.3 ± 0.3 h/d after calving (least squares means ± standard error). At calving, we noted an increase in the number of lying bouts (12.9 ± 0.45 bouts/d) compared with the pre- and postcalving averages of 11.6 (±0.53) and 9.1 (±0.47) bouts, respectively. Cows that developed claw lesions later in mid lactation spent less time lying down than cows without lesions during wk 3 after calving compared with healthy cows (7.29 ± 0.22 vs. 8.51 ± 0.16 h/d). Lesion cows had fewer lying bouts per day, and these bouts were of longer duration than no-lesion cows after calving. Increased odds of lesion were found to be associated with shorter lying times and fewer number of lying bouts during wk 3 (odds ratio = 1.23). Nonesterified fatty acids (747 ± 58 vs. 990 ± 86.85 µmol/L) and BHB (0.77 ± 0.06 vs. 0.60 ± 0.04 mmol/L) concentrations during wk 1 were greater in cows that developed claw lesions relative to cows that did not develop lesions. The BHB concentrations also remained higher in wk 2 for cows that developed claw lesions (0.63 ± 0.04 vs. 0.46 ± 0.03 mmol/L) compared with cows that did not develop any lesions. Cows that developed lesions experienced greater losses in BCS from wk -3 to 3 than cows without lesions (0.74 ± 0.01 and 0.61 ± 0.01 BCS change, respectively). In summary, changes in lying behavior and energy metabolic status after calving were associated with claw horn disruption lesions in mid-lactation primiparous cows under pasture-based systems.

Endocarditis marántica como presentación de cáncer de páncreas: caso clínico / Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis: report of one case

Marantic or nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is characterized for the presence of vegetations formed by a meshwork of fibrin and other cellular material similar a blood clot, without the presence of microorganisms. It is often related with tumors and chronic inflammatory states. We report a 49 years old female with a history of weight loss and asthenia, presenting with multiple cerebrovascular attacks and fever. Blood cultures were negative and the fever did not subside with antibiotic treatment. Trans esophageal echocardiogram showed a mitral valve vegetation and thickening of the free edge of both leaflets. In search of the etiology of such a case, a primary pancreatic cancer with distant metastases was found. We cannot rule out the differential diagnosis with bacterial endocarditis with negative blood cultures, although the clinical context supports a non-infectious etiology.

[Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Report of one case]. / Endocarditis marántica como presentación de cáncer de páncreas. Caso clínico.

Marantic or nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is characterized for the presence of vegetations formed by a meshwork of fibrin and other cellular material similar a blood clot, without the presence of microorganisms. It is often related with tumors and chronic inflammatory states. We report a 49 years old female with a history of weight loss and asthenia, presenting with multiple cerebrovascular attacks and fever. Blood cultures were negative and the fever did not subside with antibiotic treatment. Trans esophageal echocardiogram showed a mitral valve vegetation and thickening of the free edge of both leaflets. In search of the etiology of such a case, a primary pancreatic cancer with distant metastases was found. We cannot rule out the differential diagnosis with bacterial endocarditis with negative blood cultures, although the clinical context supports a non-infectious etiology.

Reduced sulfur compounds in the atmosphere of sewer networks in Australia: geographic (and seasonal) variations.

The management of odorous emissions from sewer networks has become an important issue for sewer system operators resulting in the need to better understand the composition of reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs). Gaseous RSCs including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methanethiol (MeSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), carbon disulfide (CS2), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) were measured in the atmosphere of selected sewer networks in two major Australian cities (Sydney and Melbourne) during 2011-2012. The RSC concentrations in the sewer air were detected in a highly variable range. H2S and MeSH were found at the highest concentrations, followed by DMS (39.2-94.0 µg/m(3)), CS2 (18.3-19.6 µg/m(3)), DMDS (7.8-49.6 µg/m(3)) and DMTS (10.4-35.3 µg/m(3)). Temporal trends in the occurrence of targeted RSCs were observed and the highest sulfur concentration occurred either in summer or spring, which are typically regarded as the warmer seasons. Statistical significant difference in the magnitude of targeted RSCs was found between samples collected in Sydney and Melbourne.

Is H2S a suitable process indicator for odour abatement performance of sewer odours?

Odour abatement units are typically designed and maintained on H(2)S concentrations, but operational failures are reported in terms of overall odour removal, suggesting a wide range of malodorous compounds emitted from sewers that may not be efficiently removed by existing odour abatement processes. Towards providing greater insight into this issue, several activated carbon filters and biofilters treating odorous emissions from sewer systems in Sydney (Australia) were monitored by collecting and analysing gas samples before and after treatment. The monitoring studies were conducted by both olfactometric measurements and gas-chromatography-based chemical analysis. Single H(2)S assessment often failed to indicate the odour abatement performance for treatment systems in the abatement units studied, particularly when the incoming H(2)S concentrations were in the sub-ppm range (i.e. below H(2)S odour threshold). Chemical analysis indicated that some non-H(2)S odorous compounds were not removed efficiently during odour treatment. Additionally, when odour eliminations were correlated with the removal of individual compounds (Pearson's correlations) it was observed that the correlation (with a coefficient of 0.79) was best when the overall removal of all the measured odorous compounds that exceeded their odour threshold values was used for the analysis. These findings may help to further advance the design and operation of odour abatement processes to address the treatment of sewer odour emissions.

Influencia del tiempo de tratamiento de superficie con ácido fluorhídrico de la porcelana VITA VM 13 en la resistencia de unión a cemento de resina frente a fuerzas de tracción: estudio in vitro / Influence of surface treatment time with hydrofluoric acid of VITA VM13 porcelain on tensile bond strength to a luting resin cement. In vitro study

Introducción: Los procedimientos restauradores indirectos son comunes en la clínica diaria actual. Se debe tener cuidado especial en la cementación, pues la gran mayoría de los fracasos ocurren en la interfase diente/restauración. Por esto es indispensable un adecuado tratamiento de superficie de la restauración para lograr una adhesión óptima a la superficie dentaria. Materiales y Métodos: Treinta cilindros de porcelana VITA VM 13 con dimensiones de 5 mm de altura y 7 mm de diámetro fueron separadas aleatoriamente en 3 grupos (n=10) de acuerdo con los tratamientos recibidos. Grupo I (control) - sin acondicionamiento superficial; Grupo II - grabado con ácido fluorhídrico al 9.6 por ciento por 1 minuto; Grupo III - grabado con ácido fluorhídrico al 9.6 por ciento por 2 minutos. Estas fueron probadas en cuanto a su resistencia de unión a la tracción en una máquina universal para pruebas (INSTRON modelo 4411, 3M). Los valores, expresados en MPa, fueron analizados estadísticamente a un nivel de significación del 5 por ciento, usando el Análisis de la Varianza (ANOVA) de un factor. Resultados: En relación con la prueba de resistencia de unión a la tracción, se encontraron los siguientes valores medios para cada grupo: Grupo I (control) - x=3.35 MPa; Grupo II - x=4.64 MPa; Grupo III - x=3.80 MPa. Conclusiones: Según los resultados obtenidos, se puede concluir que el tratamiento de superficie con ácido fluorhídrico durante 1 minuto, promueve microrretenciones que aumentan significativamente los valores de resistencia a la tracción, que puede traducirse en un beneficio clínico mayor.

Aim: Indirect restorative procedures are common in the current daily practice. Special care must be taken in the cement, as the vast majority of failures occurs at the interface tooth /restoration. Therefore a proper surface treatment of the restoration is essential to achieve optimum adhesion to the tooth surface. Materials and Methods: Thirty porcelain cylinders VITA VM 13 with dimensions of 5 mm in height and 7 mm in diameter were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10) according to the treatments received. Group I (control) - no surface conditioning; Group II- recorded with 9.6 percent hydrofluoric acid for 1 minute; Group III - recorded with 9.6 percent hydrofluoric acid for 2 minutes. Their tensile bond strength was tested in a universal testing machine (Instron Model 4411, 3M). The values, expressed in MPa, were statistically analyzed at a level of significance of 5 percent, using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of a factor. Results: In relation to the bond strength test, tensile strength, revealed the following values for each group: Group I (control) - x=3.35 MPa, Group II - x=4.64 MPa, Group III - x=3.80 MPa. Conclusions: According to the results, it can be concluded that the surface treatment with hydrofluoric acid for 1 minute promotes microretentions, which significantly increase the values of bond strength, tensile strength. This can result in a higher clinical benefit.

Effect of film thickness and filler properties on sulphuric acid permeation in various commercially available epoxy mortar coatings.

The performance of various commercially available epoxy mortar coatings was compared by measuring their sulphuric acid diffusivity. Apparent diffusivities, which were measured gravimetrically, were found to be dependent on coating tortuosity. In composite materials like epoxy mortars, the tortuosity was determined by filler properties and polymer alignment. Tortuosity was found to depend on the filler size, their dispersion, filler aspect ratio and concentration. The order and greater alignment of polymer aggregates, which characterises thinner coatings effects higher tortuosity and thus lower permeabilities. The result is that sulphuric acid diffusivities were observed to increase with coating thickness, which challenges the notion that greater coating thicknesses provide greater protection or environmental barrier. The effect of film thickness and filler properties observed in this study has significant implications to the current selection of coatings and sewer protection.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients and carriers in Valdivia city, Chile]. / Susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y patrones de resistencia de Staphylococcus aureus aislados de pacientes y portadores en la ciudad de Valdivia, Chile.

UNLABELLED: In vitro susceptibility of nosocomial and community acquired strains of Staphylococcus aureus must be periodically evaluated because of its continuous evolution. AIM: To know the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolated in Valdivia, to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistance and global patterns of resistance and to compare the evolution of the susceptibility along the years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 278 S. aureus strains were evaluated: 136 obtained from hospitalized patients, 50 belonged to outpatients and 92 to healthy carriers. Antimicrobial agents tested were: penicillin, oxacillin, vancomycin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, lincomycin and erythromycin. RESULTS: Thirty three, 28 and 1.1% of strains isolated from hospitalized, outpatients and carriers, respectively, were methicillin-resistant. Six resistance patterns were found. No vancomycin resistant strain was isolated. COMMENT: It is worrisome that 2% of S. aureus strains obtained from hospitalized patients showed intermediate resistance to vancomycin.

Susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y patrones de resistencia de Staphylococcus aureus aislados de pacientes y portadores en la ciudad de Valdivia, Chile / Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients and carriers in Valdivia city, Chile

La susceptibilidad in vitro de Staphylococcus aureus adquirido, tanto en el ambiente hospitalario como en la comunidad, debe ser monitorizada periódicamente por su continua evolución. Objetivos: Conocer la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de cepas de S. aureus aisladas en Valdivia, determinar la prevalencia de cepas resistentes a meticilina y sus respectivos patrones de resistencia, analizar la evolución de esta susceptibilidad a través de los años. Material y Métodos: Se evaluaron 278 cepas de S. aureus: 136 obtenidas de pacientes hospitalizados, 50 de pacientes ambulatorios y 92 de portadores. Los antimicrobianos ensayados fueron: penicilina, oxacilina, vancomicina, gentamicina, ciprofloxacina, lincomicina y eritromicina.

In vitro susceptibility of nosocomial and community acquired strains of Staphylococcus aureus must be periodically evaluated because of its continuous evolution. Aim: To know the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolated in Valdivia, to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistance and global patterns of resistance and to compare the evolution of the susceptibility along the years. Material and Methods: A total of 278 S. aureus strains were evaluated: 136 obtained from hospitalized patients, 50 belonged to outpatients and 92 to healthy carriers. Antimicrobial agents tested were: penicillin, oxacillin, vancomycin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, lincomycin and erythromycin. Results: Thirty three, 28 and 1.1 percent of strains isolated from hospitalized, outpatients and carriers, respectively, were methicillin-resistant. Six resistance patterns were found. No vancomycin resistant strain was isolated. Comment: It is worrisome that 2 percent of S. aureus strains obtained from hospitalized patients showed intermediate resistance to vancomycin.

Fecundity, survival, and growth of the seahorse Hippocampus ingens (Pisces: Syngnathidae) under semi-controlled conditions

We studied fecundity, survival, and growth of the seahorse Hippocampus ingens under semi-controlled conditions. Three wild brood stock mature males of 14.8, 24.5, and 32.0 g released 1,598, 1,703, and 1,658 juveniles. Juvenile stocking densities of 12 were settled in 60-1 aquariums in groups of 1, 12, and 20 days old organisms. The rate of survival was 21.5, 61.9, and 59.0%, respectively, in 35 days. Juveniles were fed a mix diet of rotifers B. plicatilis and Artemia nauplii, then they were transferred to a cement tank of 100,000 1 at a density of 50/1,000 1 and fed with live adult Artemia for 60 days more. They grew from an average of 0.7, 1.5, and 2.7 to 4.5, 5.4, and 6.7 cm, respectively, in 95 days. The seawater temperature varied from 17 to 23 degrees C.

Estudiamos la fecundidad, supervivencia, y crecimiento del caballito de mar, Hippocampus ingens en condiciones semi-controladas. Tres machos reproductores silvestres de 14.8, 24.5 y 32.0 g produjeron 1 598, 1 703 y 1 658 jóvenes. La densidad utilizada fue de 12 jóvenes por acuario de 60 l. Se agruparon en 1, 12 y 20 días de nacidos por acuario. La supervivencia fue de 78.5, 38.1 y 41.0 % en 35 días. Se les alimentó con una mezcla de rotíferos B. plicatilis y nauplios de Artemia para después transferirlos a estanques de 100 000 l a una densidad de 50/1 000 l, donde se les alimentó con Artemia adulta durante 60 días más. Crecieron de un promedio de 0.7, 1.5, y 2.7 a 4.5, 5.4 y 6.7 cm, respectivamente, en 95 días. La temperatura del agua marina utilizada varió de 17 a 23 oC.

Initial sexual maturity and fecundity of the goldfish Carassius auratus (Perciformes: Cyprynidae) under semi-controlled conditions

We studied the time of initial sexual maturity and the fecundity of the goldfish Carassius auratus under semi-controlled conditions. During the study the water temperature fluctuated from 21 to 30 degrees C, the pH between 7 and 8, and the dissolved oxygen between 5.5 and 7 ppm. Sixty days old juvenile fish received prophylactic treatments of brackish water (15 per thousand) and methylene blue baths (1%), and they were fed with live Daphnia magna. The initial sexual maturity occurred between 225 and 233 days of captivity. Mean absolute fecundity was 2,347 (+/- 302.2 SD) ova per gonad, and mean relative fecundity was 63.44 eggs/g fish weight. Gonadosomatic index was between 7.5 and 9.0. Our data will allow ornamental fish producers to calculate the time of initial maturity and fecundity for this species.

Estudiamos el tiempo inicial de madurez sexual y la fecundidad del pez dorado Carassius auratus en condiciones semi-controladas. Durante el estudio la temperatura del agua varió de 21 a 30 oC, el pH entre 7 y 8, y el oxígeno disuelto entre 5.5 y 7 ppm. Jóvenes de 60 días de edad recibieron tratamiento profiláctico con agua salobre (15 ‰), y baños de azul de metileno (1 %). Se les alimentó con Daphnia magna. La madurez sexual inicial fue tras 225 a 233 días en cautiverio. La fecundidad absoluta media fue de 2 347 (±302.2 DS) óvulos por gónada y la fecundidad relativa fue de 63.44 óvulos/g del peso del pez. El índice gonadosomático se calculó entre 7.5 and 9.0.

Fecundity, survival, and growth of the seahorse Hippocampus ingens (Pisces: Syngnathidae) under semi-controlled conditions.

We studied fecundity, survival, and growth of the seahorse Hippocampus ingens under semi-controlled conditions. Three wild brood stock mature males of 14.8, 24.5, and 32.0 g released 1,598, 1,703, and 1,658 juveniles. Juvenile stocking densities of 12 were settled in 60-1 aquariums in groups of 1, 12, and 20 days old organisms. The rate of survival was 21.5, 61.9, and 59.0%, respectively, in 35 days. Juveniles were fed a mix diet of rotifers B. plicatilis and Artemia nauplii, then they were transferred to a cement tank of 100,000 1 at a density of 50/1,000 1 and fed with live adult Artemia for 60 days more. They grew from an average of 0.7, 1.5, and 2.7 to 4.5, 5.4, and 6.7 cm, respectively, in 95 days. The seawater temperature varied from 17 to 23 degrees C.

Initial sexual maturity and fecundity of the goldfish Carassius auratus (Perciformes: Cyprynidae) under semi-controlled conditions.

We studied the time of initial sexual maturity and the fecundity of the goldfish Carassius auratus under semi-controlled conditions. During the study the water temperature fluctuated from 21 to 30 degrees C, the pH between 7 and 8, and the dissolved oxygen between 5.5 and 7 ppm. Sixty days old juvenile fish received prophylactic treatments of brackish water (15 per thousand) and methylene blue baths (1%), and they were fed with live Daphnia magna. The initial sexual maturity occurred between 225 and 233 days of captivity. Mean absolute fecundity was 2,347 (+/- 302.2 SD) ova per gonad, and mean relative fecundity was 63.44 eggs/g fish weight. Gonadosomatic index was between 7.5 and 9.0. Our data will allow ornamental fish producers to calculate the time of initial maturity and fecundity for this species.

Interaction between Cryptosporidium oocysts and water treatment coagulants.

The electrokinetic properties of gamma-irradiated Cryptosporidium oocysts in the presence of coagulants (ferric chloride and alum) and coagulant aids (DADMAC based cationic polyelectrolytes) have been studied. The zeta potential of the oocysts was unaffected by the addition of ferric chloride at all pH values (3-10) studied. Addition of alum resulted in reversal of the oocysts charge, which suggests that the initial stage in the coagulation process leading to floc formation proceeds via the adsorption of hydrolysed aluminium species. The cationic polyelectrolyte Magnafloc LT35 was adsorbed onto iron flocs at doses of 0.1 mg/L even against an electrostatic barrier. The cationic polyelectrolyte only adsorbed and caused charge reversal at the oocyst surface at around 0.4 mg/L, suggesting a lower affinity for this surface. These results indicate that the oocysts, unlike inorganic colloidal materials such as metal oxides, appear to possess a lower surface density of active or charged sites. The lower density of sites, combined with the rapid precipitation of iron salts, may be responsible for the lack of specific adsorption of either hydroxylated ferric species or primary iron hydroxide particles on the oocysts. Further, this suggests that a process of sweep flocculation, where oocysts are engulfed in flocs during coagulation and floc formation, is the more likely mechanism involved. By comparison, it is likely that the specific interaction of hydrolysed aluminium species with the oocysts surface would result in a stronger link at the oocyst-floc interface and that the flocculation process may initially proceed via charge neutralisation.

Miasis importada: siete casos de parasitación cutánea por larvas de la mosca dermatobia hominis / Imported myasis: 7 cases of cutaneous parasitism caused by dermatobia hominis

Myasis is the parasitism of organs and tissues of warm-blooded vertebrates by flies larvae. D hominis is a flie geographically restricted to tropical America from Mexico to northern Argentina. The adult flie, which is not hematophagous, needs to put its eggs on the abdominal surface of hematophagous arthropods which serve as carriers of future larvae which are deposited on the skin of the hosts (mammals, birds and accidentally men) when biting. Seven patients (two females) aged 7 to 35 years old, of different nationalities, recalled receiving mosquito bites, after staying in tropical American areas in the previous forty days. They presented furuncle-like lesions in exposed surfaces of the body. These lesions, 2-3 cm long, pruritic and mildly tender, broke and released a serous or serohematic fluid. Through the resulting opening, it was possible to partially observe the larva. Larvae were extracted by manual pressure (4) or surgical incision (3) and identified as D hominis larvae. Diagnosis of dermatobiasis, an imported myasis, must be based on the characteristics of lesions and the previous residence in endemic areas of America

[Semiprecision attachments]. / Ataches de semiprecisión.

This article brings a historical view and main characteristics of the semiprecision attachments. A descriptive analysis is done, in which classification and properly indication are treated. More over, semiprecision attachments are compared with both conventional retention systems and precision or prefabricated attachments.