Perfil antropométrico comparado de escolares deportistas y no deportistas / Comparative anthropometric profile in athlete students and non athlete ones

Fundamento: La antropometría se aplica en la evaluación de los riesgos nutricionales especialmente en los niños. Objetivo: Comparar el perfil antropométrico de deportistas y no deportistas de 5to. y 6to grados de dos escuelas primarias de la provincia Cienfuegos. Métodos: Estudio comparado de grupo estudio-grupo control de 124 escolares. Se realizó evaluación antropométrica según peso, talla, pliegue tricipital y circunferencia braquial con las tablas cubanas de peso para la talla, peso para la edad, talla para la edad, pliegue tricipital y circunferencia braquial para la edad, así como los valores del puntaje Z para el peso y la talla. Resultados: En general, predominaron los normopeso (63,6 por ciento). La escuela deportiva aportó el mayor número de bajopeso y la no deportiva más sobrepesos. Se obtuvieron elevados por cientos de malnutrición en la escuela no deportiva, un 20 por ciento de sobrepeso y un 9,1 por ciento de desnutrición. Los valores de baja talla fueron mayores en la escuela deportiva (14,4 por ciento). Conclusiones: Las mediciones antropométricas de los deportistas no difieren esencialmente de los no deportistas(AU)

Anthropometric is applied in the evaluation of the nutritional risks especially in children. Objective: To determine the anthropometric profile athlete students and non athlete ones belonging to 5th and 6th grade respectively from two primary schools in Cienfuegos Province. Method: A comparative study of a study group and a control group formed by 124 children. An evaluation was performed on weight, size, triceps skinfold, and branchial circumpherence using the Cuban weight scales for size, weight according to age, size for the age, triceps skinfold, and branchial circumpherence in regard to the age, as well as the Z score for weight and size. Results: In general terms, students in normal weight were predominant for a 63.6 percent of them. The school specialized in sports showed the major number of students with low weight and the normal school had the overwight ones. High levels of malnutrition were found in the normal school, 20 percent of overweight students and 9.1 percent of undernourished students. Values for low size were found greater in in the school especialized in sports with 14.4 percent. Conclusions: Anthropometric measurements in athlete students do not differ essencially from the non athlete ones(AU)

Improving the efficiency of sperm technologies in pigs: the value of deep intrauterine insemination.

The use of AI in pigs has dramatically expanded in the last few years. New methodological advances in AI are required to serve the requirements of new sperm technologies, such as the use of low dose AI, because the use of cervical AI has a very low efficiency leading to low fertility results. One of the strategies devised to meet these requirements is the deposition of semen near the site of fertilization in the oviduct. Using deep intrauterine insemination with a specially designed catheter, a 20-fold reduction in the number of freshly and diluted inseminated spermatozoa can be achieved without decreasing farrowing rates. Moreover, an advantage of deep intrauterine insemination is the possibility of using processed, 'weaker' spermatozoa such as those that have been frozen-thawed or sex-sorted. Although deep intrauterine insemination should be of benefit to the pig industry, more investigations are needed to understand the mechanisms related to sperm colonization of the oviducts and identify the minimal sperm numbers needed to obtain maximal fertility results for processed and unprocessed boar spermatozoa.

Survival and in vitro fertility of boar spermatozoa frozen in the presence of superoxide dismutase and/or catalase.

In the present study the potential benefit of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) when cryopreserving boar spermatozoa was evaluated. Pooled ejaculate sperm-rich fractions collected from 3 fertile boars were frozen in a split design, after being extended in a conventional freezing extender (control) or the same extender supplemented with SOD (150 or 300 IU/mL, experiment 1), CAT (200 or 400 IU/mL, experiment 2), or SOD + CAT in combination (150 + 200 or 300 + 400 IU/mL, experiment 3). Irrespective of the concentration used, SOD and CAT, alone or in combination, significantly improved postthaw sperm survival, in terms of total sperm motility (assessed with CASA) and viability (assessed with a triple stain; propidium iodide/R123/fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut agglutinin). Moreover, CAT alone, at a concentration of 400 IU/mL, or in combination with SOD, at concentrations of 200 and 400 UI/mL, improved the ability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa to produce embryos in vitro (zygote cleavage and blastocyst formation as end points). Additional data of ROS generation (luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence) and membrane lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA] production) indicated that SOD and CAT reduced postthaw ROS generation by boar spermatozoa, without any influence on MDA production.

Effects of centrifugation before freezing on boar sperm cryosurvival.

Current protocols for boar sperm cryopreservation require the centrifugation of semen in order to separate sperm cells from the seminal plasma. This study evaluated the influence of different centrifugation regimes on both sperm recovery and yield (percentage of viable sperm with an intact acrosome relative to the initial sperm population) after centrifugation (experiment 1) as well as the influence of different centrifugation regimes on boar sperm cryosurvival (experiment 2). In both experiments, sperm-rich fractions from 3 boars were diluted, pooled, and cooled to 17 degrees C before centrifugation. In experiment 1, the g-forces tested were 400, 800, 1600, and 2400 x g for 3 or 5 minutes, using the standard regime (800 x g for 10 minutes) as a reference. Sperm recovery (Bürker Chamber) and yield (triple fluorescent stain of PI/R123/FITC-PNA [DNA-specific fluorochrome propidium iodide/mitochondria-specific fluorochrome rhodamine-123/acrosome-specific fluorochrome fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin]) were calculated. The highest recovery and yield (P <.05) values were achieved using 2400 x g for 5 or 3 minutes and 1600 x g for 5 minutes, which showed no differences (P >.05) from the reference in terms of sperm yield. In experiment 2, cooled semen was centrifuged using 3 different regimes: C1 (2400 x g for 3 minutes), C2 (1600 x g for 5 minutes), and C3 (800 x g for 10 minutes). Pellets were diluted in lactose-egg yolk (LEY)-glycerol-Equex STM (1 x 10(9) cells/mL) and frozen in 0.5-mL straws. After thawing, sperm quality was assessed after 30 and 150 minutes of incubation (37 degrees C). Centrifugation regimes C1 and C2 showed significantly (P <.05) higher postthaw sperm motility (assessed with a computer-assisted semen analysis system), viability (evaluated as for experiment 1), and percentage of uncapacitated sperm (assessed with a chlortetracycline assay) than did C3. In addition, C1 had the highest (P <.05) oocyte penetrating ability (assessed with the homologous in vitro penetration test performed with immature oocytes). Malondialdehyde production, assessed with the thiobarbituric acid reactive species test, was unaffected (P >.05) by the centrifugation regime used. We conclude that high g-force (2400 x g) and short centrifugation time (3 minutes) do not affect sperm recovery and yield and that, moreover, they have a positive effect on the cryosurvival of boar sperm. Therefore, we recommend the use of short-term centrifugation with a relatively high g-force (2400 x g for 3 minutes) in boar sperm cryopreservation protocol.

Fertility of weaned sows after deep intrauterine insemination with a reduced number of frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

The present study evaluates the effectiveness of the transcervical deep intrauterine insemination (DUI) with a reduced number of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa in weaned sows. DUI was performed using a specially designed flexible device (length 180 cm, outer diameter 4mm, working channel 1.8mm, working channel's volume 1.5 ml) that was inserted through an artificial insemination spirette to cross the cervix lumen and moved into one uterine horn as far as possible. Spermatozoa diluted in 7.5 ml of BTS were flushed into the uterine horn by a syringe attached to the working channel. In Experiment 1, 111 hormonally treated (eCG/hCG) weaned sows were inseminated once using one of the following three regimens: (1) DUI with frozen-thawed spermatozoa (1000 x 10(6) cells per dose; n=49); (2) DUI with fresh semen (150 x 10(6) cells per dose; n=29, as control of DUI procedure); and (3) cervical insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa (6000 x 10(6) cells diluted in 100ml; n=33). No differences (P>0.05) were found for farrowing rates (77.55, 82.76, and 75.76, respectively) or litter sizes (9.31+/-0.41, 9.96+/-0.32, and 9.60+/-0.53 piglets born per litter, respectively) among the groups. In Experiment 2, DUI was performed on the spontaneous estrus in weaned sows (2-6 parity) with 1000 x 10(6) frozen-thawed (40 sows) or 150 x 10(6) fresh spermatozoa (38 sows). The farrowing rate of sows inseminated twice with frozen-thawed spermatozoa (70%) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than with fresh semen (84.21%). No significant difference (P>0.05) was found in litter size between frozen-thawed spermatozoa (9.25+/-0.23 piglets born per litter) and fresh semen (9.88+/-0.21 piglets born per litter). These preliminary results indicate that application of DUI provides acceptable fertility in weaned sows using a relatively low number of frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

Nivel de aceptación estudiantil ante el examen teórico/práctico cronometrado / Level of acceptance by students of the timed theoretical/practical exam

Se abordan aspectos relacionados con el examen teórico/práctico cronometrado en cuanto a criterios dados por el estudiantado con el objetivo de valorar nivel de satisfacción y posibles sugerencias para su perfeccionamiento. Para ello se escogieron 134 estudiantes de primer a;o de medicina y licenciatura en enfermería del curso 1997&1998, se recogieron los datos en encuesta confeccionada al efecto. Entre los parámetros estudiados están tensión psíquica fuerte, dificultad en las rotaciones a causa del tiempo establecido, influencia del tiempo de espera previo al examen y tipo de prueba que preferiría. A estos parámetros se les realizó estudios estadigráficos, observándose que el 53,7 por ciento de los estudiantes le provoca tensión psíquica fuerte y se tuvo X2 de 9,23 para p menor que 0,001 en cuanto al tiempo establecido de una rotación a otra y un X2 de 20,3 para p menor que 0,0001 con relación al tiempo de espera y la valoración de métodos de relajación. Se concluyó que a pesar de los resultados y valoración de los estudiantes, 99 prefieren la prueba teórico/práctica cronometrada para un 73,9 por ciento independientemente de las sugerencias transmitidas en la encuesta

The aspects connected with the timed theoretical-practical test and the criteria given by the students on this regard are approached aimed at assessing their level of satisfaction and the possible suggestions for its improvement. To this end, 134 students from the lst year of medicine and the baccalaureate degree program of the course 1997-1998 were selected. A survey was done to collect data. Strong psychical stress, difficulty in the rotations due to the established time, influence of the waiting time previous to the test and the type of test preferred by the student are among the studied parameters. These parameters were statistically studied and it was observed that 53,7% of the students suffered from a strong psychical stress. It was obtained a X2 of 9,23 for p<0,001 in relation to the time established from one rotation to the other, and a X2 of 20,3 for p<0,0001 regarding the waiting time and the assessment of relaxation methods. It was concluded that in spite of the results and the students' assessment, 99 prefer the timed theoretical-practical test, accounting for 73,9 %, independently of the suggestions given in the survey

Ganancia de peso materno: relación con el peso del recién nacido / Maternal weight gain and its relationships with newborn baby weight

Se realiza un estudio prospectivo entre enero y diciembre de 1997, a 171 gestantes bajo peso que asistieron a la consulta de nutrición que se ofrece en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos con el objetivo de establecer diferencias de la influencia del peso de la madre sobre el feto. A las pacientes se les tomó el peso al inicio y final de la gestación y la talla, y al recién nacido, el peso al nacer. Se recogieron los datos primarios y se creó una base de datos mediante el paquete estadístico EPINFO. Al establecer la relación, encontramos una derecha dependencia entre la ganancia de peso materno y el peso del recién nacido, con un chi cuadrado de 21,02 para una p < 0,0001, que nos ofrece el 95 porciento de confiabilidad. El riesgo relativo fue de 6,46 para las madres con ganancia de peso insuficiente. Concluimos que en la medida que la gestante tenga un incremento de peso de 8 kg o más, independientemente de su grado de desnutrición al inicio del embarazo, se obtienen mejores resultados en el peso del recién nacido

Ganancia de peso materno: relación con el peso del recién nacido / Maternal weight gain and its relationships with newborn baby weight

Se realiza un estudio prospectivo entre enero y diciembre de 1997, a 171 gestantes bajo peso que asistieron a la consulta de nutrición que se ofrece en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos con el objetivo de establecer diferencias de la influencia del peso de la madre sobre el feto. A las pacientes se les tomó el peso al inicio y final de la gestación y la talla, y al recién nacido, el peso al nacer. Se recogieron los datos primarios y se creó una base de datos mediante el paquete estadístico EPINFO. Al establecer la relación, encontramos una derecha dependencia entre la ganancia de peso materno y el peso del recién nacido, con un chi cuadrado de 21,02 para una p < 0,0001, que nos ofrece el 95 porciento de confiabilidad. El riesgo relativo fue de 6,46 para las madres con ganancia de peso insuficiente. Concluimos que en la medida que la gestante tenga un incremento de peso de 8 kg o más, independientemente de su grado de desnutrición al inicio del embarazo, se obtienen mejores resultados en el peso del recién nacido(AU)