Effect of probiotic lactobacilli supplementation on growth parameters, blood profile, productive performance, and fecal microbiology in feedlot cattle.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) selected on the basis of probiotic characteristics were administered to beef feedlot catlle and the effect on body condition/growth and nutritional-metabolic status as well as on E. coli O157:H7 fecal shedding, were investigated. A feeding trials involving 126 steers were used to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus CRL2074, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CRL2085 and Limosilactobacillus mucosae CRL2069 and their combinations (5 different probiotic groups and control) when 107-108 CFU/animal of each probiotic group were in-feed supplemented. Cattle were fed a high energy corn-based diet (16 to 88%) and samples from each animal were taken at 0, 40, 104 and 163 days. In general, animals body condition and sensorium state showed optimal muscle-skeletal development and behavioral adaption to confinement; no nasal/eye discharges and diarrheic feces were observed. The nutritional performance of the steers revealed a steady increase of biometric parameters and weight. Animals supplied with L. mucosae CRL2069 for 104 days reached the maximum mean live weight (343.2 kg), whereas the greatest weight daily gain (1.27 ± 0.16 Kg/day) was obtained when CRL2069 and its combination with L. fermentum CRL2085 (1.26 ± 0.11 kg/day) were administered during the complete fattening cycle. With several exceptions, bovine cattle blood and serum parameters showed values within referential ranges. As a preharvest strategy to reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle feces, CRL2085 administered during 40 days decreased pathogen shedding with a reduction of 43% during the feeding period. L. fermentum CRL2085 and L. mucosae CRL2069 show promise for feedlot cattle feeding supplementation to improve metabolic-nutritional status, overall productive performance and to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding, thus decreasing contamination chances of meat food products.

Position Affects Performance in Multiple-Object Tracking in Rugby Union Players.

We report an experiment that examines the performance of rugby union players and a control group composed of graduate student with no sport experience, in a multiple-object tracking task. It compares the ability of 86 high level rugby union players grouped as Backs and Forwards and the control group, to track a subset of randomly moving targets amongst the same number of distractors. Several difficulties were included in the experimental design in order to evaluate possible interactions between the relevant variables. Results show that the performance of the Backs is better than that of the other groups, but the occurrence of interactions precludes an isolated groups analysis. We interpret the results within the framework of visual attention and discuss both, the implications of our results and the practical consequences.

Pupil dynamics with periodic flashes: effect of age on mesopic adaptation.

The purpose of this study is to determine the pupillary dynamics with periodical flashes from a peripheral glare source, in similar conditions to night driving, while focusing on dependence with age. We measured two groups of people: youth and adults. Maximum pupil size decreases due to periodic flashes. Latency does not present significant differences. The reduction of pupil size is greater for older adults. The presence of a peripheral and periodic glare source modifies the pupil size. This leads to a reduction of retinal illuminance, which is greater for older adults.

[Burnout-engagement and personality factors in medical students at a public university]. / Burnout-engagement y factores de personalidad en estudiantes de Medicina de una universidad pública.

Medical students can develop burnout syndrome, characterized by exhaustion, cynical attitude towards study and negative consequences on wellbeing and academic performance. Engagement, theoretically syndrome "opposite" to burnout, shows a positive influence on personal and academic performance. To study the association of syndromes burnout and engagement with personality factors in medical students, a longitudinal observational, descriptive study of a cohort follow-up was performed. Three questionnaires were used: reduced inventory NEO Five-Factor (NEO FFI) administered at the beginning of the sixth year; the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, applied at the end of the seventh year. 120 students participated. The chance of presenting burnout was 3 times higher when the student had 0.26 times higher neuroticism and high extraversion lower when presented. The chance to present engagement was 10 times higher in students who had high extraversion (Multilevel logistic regression model, p<0.05). It would be important to further research into the mechanisms underlying personality factors could favor the onset of burnout and engagement syndromes, and carry out strategies to prevent the consequences of academic stress on the most vulnerable students.

Resultados funcionales y utilización del enclavado endomedular bloqueado en fracturas diafisarias de tibia / Functional results and use of locked intramedullary nailing in tibial shaft fractures

Introducción: El enclavado endomedular bloqueado en fracturas diafisarias de tibia probó ser un valioso método de tratamiento, y sus resultados superan a los de la osteosíntesis con placas y el enclavado endomedular elástico con clavos múltiples. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar los resultados funcionales con la utilización de este método en todas las lesiones en las que está indicada la estabilización con este tipo de implante, y con un seguimiento de 2 años. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 112 pacientes tratados en el Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología, desde marzo de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2009, sometidos a enclavado endomedular bloqueado como osteosíntesis primaria, con un seguimiento de 2 años. Las variables recabadas fueron: edad (años), sexo, infección, lesión vascular, deformidad, movilidad, dolor, marcha, actividad, tipo de fractura. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables involucradas en este estudio y de asociación mediante el puntaje de Jones y Wruhs. El nivel de confiabilidad utilizado fue del 5 por ciento. Resultados: Ciento siete (96 por ciento) de las 112 fracturas evaluadas tuvieron consolidación sin otros procedimientos, dentro de las 17 semanas. En la serie, hubo 5 casos de seudoartrosis, pero una fractura en tres niveles de la tibia consolidó en 32 semanas y una fractura de tercio distal consolidó en 24 semanas. Las complicaciones posoperatorias fueron escasas y, al finalizar el tratamiento, la mayoría de los pacientes regresó a sus actividades previas, tanto laborales como de la vida diaria. El índice de infección fue del 8,03 por ciento, con un seguimiento promedio de 27,48 meses. Conclusión: En nuestra experiencia, es un método seguro, relativamente sencillo, con gran versatilidad y ofrece al paciente un confortable posoperatorio con muy buen resultado funcional. Por ello, lo consideramos de primera elección para tratar fracturas diafisarias de tibia.

Background: Locked intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures proved to be a valuable method of treatment, and the results exceed those of plate fixation and elastic intramedullary nailing with multiple nails. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional results using this method in all lesions in which stabilization is indicated with this type of implant, and with a two-year follow-up. Methods: One hundred and twelve patients who underwent locked intramedullary nailing as primary osteosynthesis at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, from March 2000 to December 2009, and with a two-year follow-up. The following variables were collected: age (years), sex, infection, vascular injury, deformity, mobility, pain, gait, activity, type of fracture. A descriptive analysis of the variables involved and an association analysis by Jones and Wruhs score were performed. The confidence level used was 5%. Results: One hundred and seven (96%) of the 112 fractures consolidated without other procedures within 17 weeks. There were 5 cases of nonunion, but a tibial fracture at three levels consolidated at 32 weeks and a distal fracture consolidated in 24 weeks. Postoperative complications were rare and at the end of treatment, most patients returned to their previous working and daily activities. The infection rate was 8.03%, with a mean follow-up of 27.48 months. Conclusion: In our experience, this method is safe and relatively simple with great versatility and offers a comfortable postoperative period to the patient with good functional outcome. Therefore, we consider it as a first choice for treating tibial shaft fractures.

Resultados funcionales y utilización del enclavado endomedular bloqueado en fracturas diafisarias de tibia / Functional results and use of locked intramedullary nailing in tibial shaft fractures

Introducción: El enclavado endomedular bloqueado en fracturas diafisarias de tibia probó ser un valioso método de tratamiento, y sus resultados superan a los de la osteosíntesis con placas y el enclavado endomedular elástico con clavos múltiples. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar los resultados funcionales con la utilización de este método en todas las lesiones en las que está indicada la estabilización con este tipo de implante, y con un seguimiento de 2 años. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 112 pacientes tratados en el Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología, desde marzo de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2009, sometidos a enclavado endomedular bloqueado como osteosíntesis primaria, con un seguimiento de 2 años. Las variables recabadas fueron: edad (años), sexo, infección, lesión vascular, deformidad, movilidad, dolor, marcha, actividad, tipo de fractura. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables involucradas en este estudio y de asociación mediante el puntaje de Jones y Wruhs. El nivel de confiabilidad utilizado fue del 5 por ciento. Resultados: Ciento siete (96 por ciento) de las 112 fracturas evaluadas tuvieron consolidación sin otros procedimientos, dentro de las 17 semanas. En la serie, hubo 5 casos de seudoartrosis, pero una fractura en tres niveles de la tibia consolidó en 32 semanas y una fractura de tercio distal consolidó en 24 semanas. Las complicaciones posoperatorias fueron escasas y, al finalizar el tratamiento, la mayoría de los pacientes regresó a sus actividades previas, tanto laborales como de la vida diaria. El índice de infección fue del 8,03 por ciento, con un seguimiento promedio de 27,48 meses. Conclusión: En nuestra experiencia, es un método seguro, relativamente sencillo, con gran versatilidad y ofrece al paciente un confortable posoperatorio con muy buen resultado funcional. Por ello, lo consideramos de primera elección para tratar fracturas diafisarias de tibia.(AU)

Background: Locked intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures proved to be a valuable method of treatment, and the results exceed those of plate fixation and elastic intramedullary nailing with multiple nails. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional results using this method in all lesions in which stabilization is indicated with this type of implant, and with a two-year follow-up. Methods: One hundred and twelve patients who underwent locked intramedullary nailing as primary osteosynthesis at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, from March 2000 to December 2009, and with a two-year follow-up. The following variables were collected: age (years), sex, infection, vascular injury, deformity, mobility, pain, gait, activity, type of fracture. A descriptive analysis of the variables involved and an association analysis by Jones and Wruhs score were performed. The confidence level used was 5%. Results: One hundred and seven (96%) of the 112 fractures consolidated without other procedures within 17 weeks. There were 5 cases of nonunion, but a tibial fracture at three levels consolidated at 32 weeks and a distal fracture consolidated in 24 weeks. Postoperative complications were rare and at the end of treatment, most patients returned to their previous working and daily activities. The infection rate was 8.03%, with a mean follow-up of 27.48 months. Conclusion: In our experience, this method is safe and relatively simple with great versatility and offers a comfortable postoperative period to the patient with good functional outcome. Therefore, we consider it as a first choice for treating tibial shaft fractures.(AU)