Polymorphisms of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene do not affect sexual activity, plasma testosterone concentrations or testicular characteristics of 8-month-old ram-lambs born in autumn

Thirty-nine autumn-born ram-lambs were used to study whether polymorphisms of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene influence some reproductive parameters of Oct-born ram-lambs at 8 months of age. Animals were genotyped for their RsaI (CC, n=24; CT, n=6; TT, n=9) and Mn1I (GG, n=27; GA, n=6; AA, n=6) allelic variants of the MTNR1A gene. Liveweight (LW) was recorded bi-weekly until Jun, and scrotal perimeter (SP) was recorded once per month. From mid-Jan, blood samples were collected weekly to measure plasma testosterone concentrations. In mid-Jun, individual serving-capacity tests were performed. Testicular ultrasonography was performed at the end of the experiment. The effects of the week and gene polymorphism on LW, scrotal perimeter, and plasma testosterone concentrations were evaluated statistically by the GLM for repeated measures procedure. LW, SP, and plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly (P<0.001) affected by week, but neither of the polymorphisms of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene affected these variables. In the serving tests, genotypes did not differ significantly in individual behaviors or the number of events (CC: 24.1±3.2, CT: 26.3±13.0, TT: 16.8±4.8, GG: 22.0±3.0, GA: 21.0±6.7, AA: 27.8±12.7). Testicular features assessed by ultrasonography did not differ significantly among genotypes. In conclusion, the polymorphisms of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene did not have an effect on the reproductive characteristics of autumn-born ram lambs, based on serving capacity tests, testosterone secretion, and testicular measurements at 8 months of age.

Tumor de células gigantes en cúbito de paciente postrauma / Giant cell tumor in ulna of trauma patient

RESUMEN Introducción: Los tumores de células gigantes pueden originarse en el tejido óseo, sinovial o cualquier otro tejido blando. Se caracterizan por su rápido crecimiento. A pesar de ser comúnmente benignos, si se dejan evolucionar sin tratamiento, hay riesgo de que en su proceso de crecimiento destruyan el tejido adyacente y afecten la funcionalidad, estructura y apariencia de la zona anatómica afectada. Objetivo: Describir el curso clínico y manejo terapéutico de un paciente con tumor de células gigantes en el antebrazo. Caso clínico: Se presenta paciente masculino de 28 años, que se le diagnosticó tumoración ósea en tercio distal del cúbito, y a quien, por su voluntad de no atenderse, no se le realizó el abordaje y manejo quirúrgico. Un año después, regresó al servicio de urgencias. Tenía mayor volumen en las dimensiones tumorales, con cambios a nivel del tercio distal del cúbito, lesiones de patrón lítico, pérdida de la cortical, con reacción perióstica, bordes mal definidos y afectación de tejidos blandos circundantes. Se diagnóstico probable tumor de células gigantes. El manejo quirúrgico permitió la conservación del antebrazo, pero a un año de su intervención quirúrgica, dada la probabilidad de recidiva, su pronóstico permanece incierto. Conclusiones: La velocidad de crecimiento de los tumores de células gigantes amerita decisiones oportunas, dado que el tiempo que transcurre previo al tratamiento puede, como en el presente caso, traducirse en un crecimiento destructivo de los tejidos adyacentes. A más de un año de la cirugía, el pronóstico del paciente es incierto, pues la probabilidad de recidiva permanece latente(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Giant cell tumors can originate in bone, synovial, or any other soft tissue. They are characterized by their rapid growth. Despite being commonly benign, if they are allowed to evolve without treatment, they may destroy adjacent tissue, in its growth process, affecting the functionality, structure and appearance of the affected anatomical area. Objective: To describe the clinical course and therapeutic management of a patient with a giant cell tumor in the forearm. Clinical case: We report the case of a 28-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with a bone mass in the distal third of the ulna. This patient desired not to undergo surgical management. A year later, he returned to the emergency room. the tumor had greater dimensions, changes at the level of the distal third of ulna, lytic pattern lesions, loss of the cortex, periosteal reaction, poorly defined edges and involvement of surrounding soft tissues. Giant cell tumor was the probable diagnosis. Surgical management allowed the forearm preservation, but one year after surgery, the prognosis remains uncertain, given the probability of recurrence. Conclusions: The growth rate of giant cell tumors merits timely decisions, since the time that elapses prior to treatment can, as in the present case, translate into destructive growth of adjacent tissues. More than a year after surgery, the prognosis is uncertain for this patient, as the probability of recurrence remains latent(AU)

RÉSUMÉ Introduction: Les tumeurs à cellules géantes peuvent être localisées au niveau du tissu osseux, du tissu synovial ou d'un autre tissu mou quelconque. Elles sont caractérisées par une croissance rapide. Malgré leur classique bénignité, si elles évoluent sans traitement, elles risquent de détruire le tissu adjacent et d'altérer la fonction, la structure et l'apparence de la région affectée lors du processus de croissance. Objectif: Décrire l'évolution clinique et la prise en charge thérapeutique d'un patient atteint de tumeur à cellules géantes au niveau de l'avant-bras. Cas clinique: Un patient âgé de 28 ans, diagnostiqué d'une tumeur osseuse au niveau du tiers distal du cubitus, sans abord ni traitement chirurgical dû à son refus de soin, est présenté. Un an après, il est rentré au service d'urgence. La tumeur avait grandi, et présentait des changements au niveau du tiers distal du cubitus, des lésions lytiques, une perte osseuse corticale, une réaction périostée, des bords mal définis, et un dommage des tissus mous environnants. Une probable tumeur à cellules géantes a été diagnostiquée. Le traitement chirurgical a permis la conservation de l'avant-bras, mais un an après l'intervention, son pronostic reste incertain, étant donnée la probabilité de récidive. Conclusions: La rapide croissance des tumeurs exige des décisions opportunes, car le temps parcouru avant le traitement peut se traduire -comme dans ce cas- par une atteinte destructive des tissus adjacents. Plus d'un an après la chirurgie, le pronostic du patient reste incertain, parce que la probabilité de récidive est encore latente(AU)

Assisting Visually Impaired People in the Public Transport System through RF-Communication and Embedded Systems †.

For a significant number of people with visual impairments, public transport plays an important role in productivity, community participation, and independence, since it may be the only feasible mobility option to participate in their education, work, medical care, food, and to attend many other places in their community. To use the public bus system safely, effectively, and autonomously, these people need to collect information about their physical environment and visible information at stops and terminals, such as timetables, routes, etc. Unfortunately, most people who are blind or visually impaired experience difficulties in getting on the right bus or getting off at the right destination. These situations usually force them to depend on other people that assist them in activities close to their homes, or settle for simpler jobs, or simply stay at home. Therefore, our efforts should aim to develop a system where technology is used to empower people with visual disabilities, allowing them to navigate autonomously in the public transport system. This paper presents a system based on radio frequency (RF) communication proposed within the framework of the MOVIDIS (Mobility for Visually Disabled People) research project (funded by the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation-SENACYT, under Grants No. 109-2015-4-FID14-073 and No. 99-2018-4-FID17-031), which provides an alternative to assist people with visual disabilities with their mobility in the public transport system. The various modules of this system communicate with each other by means of radio frequency and allow users to interact with buses and their respective stops. The first experimental results show that RF communication represents a viable option to help people with visual disabilities in public transport services.