Women's mood at high altitude. sexual dimorphism in hypoxic stress modulation by the tryptophan-melatonin axis.

Sexual (and gender)-dimorphism in tolerance to hypobaric hypoxia increasingly matters for a differential surveillance of human activities at high altitude (HA). At low altitudes, the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women has already been found to double when compared with men; it could be expected to even increase on exposure to HA. In purposefully caring for the health of women at HA, the present work explores the potential involvement of the tryptophan (Trp)-melatonin axis in mood changes on exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. The present work highlights some already known anxiogenic effects of HA exposure. Hypoxia and insomnia reduce serotonin (5-HT) availability; the latter defect being expressed as failure of brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and mood disorders. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep organization and synapsis restoration that are additionally affected by hypoxia impair memory consolidation. Affective complaints may thus surge, evolving into anxiety and depression. Sex-related differences in neural network organization and hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, and certainly also during the life cycle, underscore the possibility of 5-HT-related mood alterations, particularly in women on HA exposure. The mean brain rate of 5-HT synthesis at sea level is already 1.5-fold higher in males than in females. sexual dimorphism also evidences the overexpression effects of SERT, a 5-HT transporter protein. Gonadal and thyroid hormones, as influenced by HA exposure, further modulate 5-HT availability and its effects in women. Besides caring for adequate oxygenation and maintenance of one's body core temperature, special precautions concerning women sojourning at HA should include close observations of hormonal cycles and, perhaps, also trials with targeted antidepressants.

Factores de riesgo del personal de enfermería del área quirúrgica de un hospital de tercer nivel / Risk factors of nursing staff in the surgical area of a third level hospital

Introducción: la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) fundamenta que para luchar contra las infecciones asociadas a la atención sanitaria es necesario reducir las normas de bioseguridad para el personal ocupacionalmente expuesto. La bioseguridad es proteger la calidad de vida libre de daño, riesgo o peligro; el personal de enfermería que labora en el quirófano está expuesto a múltiples factores de riesgo, como el uso de químicos para procesar material quirúrgico, biológicos por el estrecho contacto con el paciente y fluidos corporales, psicosociales, por la carga de trabajo y ambientes tensos, o riesgos ergonómicos por estar en posiciones de pie por largos periodos de tiempo en procedimientos quirúrgicos. Objetivo: analizar los factores de riesgo del personal de enfermería del área quirúrgica de un hospital de tercer nivel. Material y métodos: estudio de tipo cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal. Universo: integrado por el personal de enfermería del área quirúrgica de un hospital de tercer nivel. Muestra: no probabilística a criterio del investigador, integrado por 50 enfermeras y enfermeros de quirófano de todos los turnos. Criterios de inclusión: todos los enfermeros y enfermeras que se encuentren laborando en el área quirúrgica, con más de 2 meses dentro del área quirúrgica. Criterios de exclusión: personal de enfermería que no firmó consentimiento informado y no desearon participar, personal de enfermería de permiso, vacaciones, incapacidad, ausentismo, o no se encuentran laborando por algún otro motivo. El instrumento: cuestionario de 88 preguntas, con respuestas dicotómicas, con una confiabilidad de .99 utilizando fórmula de Kuder-Richardson. Resultados: personal de enfermería tiene un riesgo biológico del 100 %, en riesgos químicos 87 %, riesgos físicos 94 %, en cuanto a riesgos psicosocial 94 % de los encuestados consideran tener este riesgo, para riesgos ergonómicos el 67 % de los encuestados refieren presentar lesiones músculo esqueléticas. Conclusión: Los profesionales de enfermería dentro del área quirúrgica están expuestos a los diferentes riesgos. Estos peligros afectan individual y colectivamente, tienen la probabilidad de desencadenar una alteración a la salud, afectando inevitablemente el proceso de trabajo, conlleva al bajo rendimiento laboral e incumplimiento de los objetivos en las instituciones públicas y privadas. Se debe tener gran observancia al apego de las medidas de bioseguridad en la unidad quirúrgica para disminuir los riesgos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas.

Introduction: the World Health Organization (WHO) argues that in order to combat infections associated with health care, it is necessary to reduce biosecurity standards for occupational exposed personnel. Biosecurity is to protect quality of life free from damage, risk or danger; nursing staff working in the operating room are exposed to multiple risk factors, such as the use of chemicals to process surgical material; biological factores due to close contact with the patient and body fluids, psychosocial factors, due to workload and tense environments, or ergonomic risks to being in standing positions for long periods of time in surgical procedures. Objective: to analyze the risk factors of nursing staff in the surgical area of a third-level hospital. Material and methods: quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Universe: composed of the nursing staff from the surgical area of a third level hospital. Sample: non-probability at the investigator's discretion, consisting of 50 operating room nurses of all shifts. Inclusion criteria: all nurses who are working in the surgical area, with more than 2 months in the surgical area. Exclusion criteria: nursing staff who did not sign informed consent and did not wish to participate, nursing staff on leave, vacation, disability, absenteeism, or are not working for some other reason. The instrument: questionnaire consisting of eighty-eight questions, with dichotomous answers, with a reliability of. 99 using Kuder-Richardson formula. Results: the nursing staff has a biological risk of 100%, in chemical risks: 87%, physical risks: 94%, in terms of psychosocial risks, 94% of the respondents consider they have this risk; for ergonomic risks, 67% of those surveyed reported presenting musculoskeletal injuries. Conclusion: nursing professionals in the surgical area are exposed to different risks. These hazards affect individually and collectively, it has the probability of triggering a health disturbance, inevitably affecting the work process, leads to poor work performance and non-compliance with objectives in public and private institutions. Adherence to biosafety measures must be observed in the surgical unit to reduce the risks of infectious and contagious diseases.

Association between maternal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Lima, Peru.

The literature shows associations between maternal exposures to PM2.5 and adverse pregnancy outcomes. There are few data from Latin America. We have examined PM2.5 and pregnancy outcomes in Lima. The study included 123,034 births from 2012 to 2016, at three public hospitals. We used estimated daily PM2.5 from a newly created model developed using ground measurements, satellite data, and a chemical transport model. Exposure was assigned based on district of residence (n = 39). Linear and logistic regression analyzes were used to estimate the associations between air pollution exposure and pregnancy outcomes. Increased exposure to PM2.5 during the entire pregnancy and in the first trimester was inversely associated with birth weight. We found a decrease of 8.13 g (-14.0; -1.84) overall and 18.6 g (-24.4, -12.8) in the first trimester, for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (9.2 µg/m3) in PM2.5. PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with low birth weight at term (TLBW) during entire pregnancy (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.20), and at the first (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.20), second (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17), and third trimester (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.18) per IQR (9.2 µg/m3) increase. Higher exposure to PM2.5 was also associated with increased risk of small for gestational age (SGA). There were no statistically significant associations between PM2.5 exposure and preterm births (PTB). Exposure to higher concentrations of PM2.5 in Lima may decrease birth weight and increase the frequency of TLBW and SGA. Our study was inconsistent with the literature in finding no associations with preterm birth.

Time-series analysis of ambient PM2.5 and cardiorespiratory emergency room visits in Lima, Peru during 2010-2016.

INTRODUCTION: There have been no time-series studies of air pollution in Peru. Here we evaluate the effect of ambient PM2.5 on emergency room (ER) visits in Lima. METHODS: We estimated daily PM2.5 levels at a 1 km2 resolution during 2010-2016 using ground measurements, satellite data, and chemical transport model simulations. Population-weighted average daily PM2.5 levels were calculated for each district in Lima (n = 40), and assigned to patients based on residence. ER visits for respiratory and circulatory diseases were gathered from nine large public hospitals. Poisson regression was used to estimate the rate ratio for daily ER visits with change in daily PM2.5, controlling for meteorology, time trends, and district. RESULTS: For each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5, respiratory disease ER visits increased 4% (95% CI: 0-5%), stroke visits 10% (3-18%), and ischemic heart disease visits (adults, 18-64 years) 11% (-1, 24%). Districts with higher poverty showed significantly stronger associations of PM2.5 and respiratory disease ER visits than districts with lower poverty. Effects were diminished 24-42% using Lima-wide instead of district-specific PM2.5 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with increases in ER visits in Lima for respiratory diseases and stroke, and among middle-aged adults, ischemic heart disease.

Safety and efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin in hepatitis C genotype 1 patients including those with decompensated cirrhosis who failed prior treatment with simeprevir/sofosbuvir.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy of simeprevir (SIM)/sofosbuvir (SOF) is an approved treatment for hepatitis C genotype (gen) 1 with overall SVR12 rate of 85%-95%. The single tablet fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir (LDV)/SOF is also approved for gen 1 with sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) rates ≥95%. No data are available on the efficacy of retreatment with LDV/SOF in patients who failed initial treatment with SIM/SOF. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of retreatment with LDV/SOF ± ribavirin (RBV) in gen 1 patients who had previously failed treatment with SIM/SOF. METHODS: Data from a combined treatment cohort of 2 hepatology centres, which included patients previously treated with SIM/SOF ± RBV for 12 weeks but failed to achieve SVR and then underwent retreatment with LDV/SOF ± RBV, were analysed (n = 30). LDV/SOF ± RBV was administered for 12-24 weeks based on the discretion of the treating hepatologist. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 23 (77%) were male, 77% were Caucasian and 26 (87%) were gen 1a. 26 (86%) had cirrhosis, of which 16 (62%) had decompensated, Child's class B or C cirrhosis. Three patients were liver transplant recipients with recurrent hepatitis C. Overall, 27/30 (90%) achieved SVR. Treatment was well tolerated with 37% reporting no adverse events. The most common adverse events were fatigue, headache, insomnia and nausea. Two patients with Child's B cirrhosis required hospitalization during treatment for variceal haemorrhage and abdominal pain respectively. However, no treatment discontinuations or deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: Single tablet fixed-dose combination LDV/SOF ± RBV is efficacious and well tolerated in patients who previously failed treatment with SIM/SOF, including those with decompensated cirrhosis and recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation.

Aqueous extract of yellow maca (Lepidium meyenii) improves sperm count in experimental animals but response depends on hypocotyl size, pH and routes of administration.

Lepidium meyenii, a Peruvian plant growing over 4000 m.a.s.l., has effects on nutrition and fertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sperm count in 105 male mice receiving boiled aqueous extract of yellow maca hypocotyls from different sizes, under different pH conditions and using two different routes of administration. Five mice per group were treated daily for 3 days with vehicle (oral and intraperitoneal) or maca aqueous extracts (5 mg/0.5 ml/day) belonging to the first, second, third and fourth categories, according to their hypocotyl size. On day four, sperm count was evaluated at testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Sperm count was higher in mice receiving maca from the larger sizes (first and second categories). Reduction in maca extract pH increased sperm count, whereas an increase in the pH resulted in a reduction in sperm count. The effect of pH reduction is observed only in maca from the first and second categories. Aqueous extract of maca was effective only after oral administration. In conclusion, the larger size of hypocotyls presented the best biological effect, and the low pH in the extract and the transformation after gastrointestinal passage are both important for its biological action.

Effect of butanolic fraction of yellow and black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on the sperm count of adult mice.

Lepidium meyenii, known as maca, is a popular nutraceutical food which is grown over 4,000 m above sea level in the Peruvian central highlands. Maca contains alkaloids, but there are no studies on their biological effects. The butanol fraction obtained from methanol extract of maca hypocotyls contains alkaloids. The effects of butanol/aqueous fractions partitioned from methanol extract of yellow and black maca were examined. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl were used to evaluate maca fractions in vitro. Daily sperm production and sperm count in epididymis and vas deferens in mice were determined as biological effect of maca extracts in vivo. Yellow maca (21.7%±0.69) had better antioxidant capacity than black maca (18.2% ± 0.12; p < .01). Antioxidant activity was better in the methanolic fraction than in the aqueous fraction of yellow or black maca. TPC is higher in the aqueous fraction than in the methanolic extract of yellow or black maca. Black maca administration resulted in higher concentration of sperm count in epididymis and vas deferens compared to yellow maca. A higher biological effect was observed in methanolic extract and in aqueous extract than in the butanol fraction of maca. In conclusion, better biological effect was observed in the methanolic extract of maca than in its partitioned fractions.

Effect of gamma irradiation on phenol content, antioxidant activity and biological activity of black maca and red maca extracts (Lepidium meyenii walp).

This study was performed to determine the effects of gamma irradiation on UV spectrum on maca, total content of polyphenols, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities and in vivo biological activities of red and black maca extracts (Lepidium meyenii). Adult mice of the strain Swiss aged 3 months and weighing 30-35 g in average were used to determine biological activities. Daily sperm production, effect on testosterone-induced prostate hyperplasia and forced swimming test were used to determine the effect of irradiation on biological activities of maca extracts. Irradiation did not show differences in UV spectrum but improves the amount of total polyphenols in red maca as well as in black maca extracts. In both cases, black maca extract has more content of polyphenols than red maca extract (p < 0.01). Gamma irradiation significantly increased the antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in daily sperm production when irradiated and nonirradiated maca extract were administered to mice (p > 0.05). Black maca extract but not red maca extract has more swimming endurance capacity in the forced swimming test. Irradiation of black maca extract increased the swimming time to exhaustion (p < 0.05). This is not observed with red maca extract (p > 0.05). Testosterone enanthate (TE) increased significantly the ventral prostate weight. Administration of red maca extract in animals treated with TE prevented the increase in prostate weight. Irradiation did not modify effect of red maca extract on prostate weight (p > 0.05). In conclusion, irradiation does not alter the biological activities of both black maca and red maca extracts. It prevents the presence of microorganisms in the extracts of black or red maca, but the biological activities were maintained.

ICARUSS, the Integrated Care for the Reduction of Secondary Stroke trial: rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of a multimodal intervention to prevent recurrent stroke in patients with a recent cerebrovascular event, ACTRN = 12611000264987.

BACKGROUND: The majority of strokes, both ischaemic and haemorrhagic, are attributable to a relatively small number of risk factors which are readily manageable in primary care setting. Implementation of best-practice recommendations for risk factor management is calculated to reduce stroke recurrence by around 80%. However, risk factor management in stroke survivors has generally been poor at primary care level. A model of care that supports long-term effective risk factor management is needed. AIM: To determine whether the model of Integrated Care for the Reduction of Recurrent Stroke (ICARUSS) will, through promotion of implementation of best-practice recommendations for risk factor management reduce the combined incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular death in patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) of the brain or eye. DESIGN: A prospective, Australian, multicentre, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Academic stroke units in Melbourne, Perth and the John Hunter Hospital, New South Wales. SUBJECTS: 1000 stroke survivors recruited as from March 2007 with a recent (<3 months) stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic) or a TIA (brain or eye). RANDOMIZATION: Randomization and data collection are performed by means of a central computer generated telephone system (IVRS). INTERVENTION: Exposure to the ICARUSS model of integrated care or usual care. PRIMARY OUTCOME: The composite of stroke, MI or death from any vascular cause, whichever occurs first. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Risk factor management in the community, depression, quality of life, disability and dementia. STATISTICAL POWER: With 1000 patients followed up for a median of one-year, with a recurrence rate of 7-10% per year in patients exposed to usual care, the study will have at least 80% power to detect a significant reduction in primary end-points CONCLUSION: The ICARUSS study aims to recruit and follow up patients between 2007 and 2013 and demonstrate the effectiveness of exposure to the ICARUSS model in stroke survivors to reduce recurrent stroke or vascular events and promote the implementation of best practice risk factor management at primary care level.

Higher androgen bioactivity is associated with excessive erythrocytosis and chronic mountain sickness in Andean Highlanders: a review.

Populations living at high altitudes (HA), particularly in the Peruvian Central Andes, are characterised by presenting subjects with erythrocytosis and others with excessive erythrocytosis (EE)(Hb>21 g dl(-1) ). EE is associated with chronic mountain sickness (CMS), or lack of adaptation to HA. Testosterone is an erythropoietic hormone and it may play a role on EE at HA. The objective of the present review was to summarise findings on role of serum T levels on adaptation at HA and genes acting on this process. Men at HA without EE have higher androstenedione levels and low ratio androstenedione/testosterone than men with EE, suggesting low activity of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD), and this could be a mechanism of adaptation to HA. Higher conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone to testosterone in men with EE suggests nigher 17beta-HSD activity. Men with CMS at Peruvian Central Andes have two genes SENP1, and ANP32D with higher transcriptional response to hypoxia relative to those without. SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1) is an erythropoiesis regulator, which is essential for the stability and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) under hypoxia. SENP1 reverses the hormone-augmented SUMOylation of androgen receptor (AR) increasing the transcription activity of AR.In conclusion, increased androgen activity is related with CMS.

Maternal exposure to biomass smoke and carbon monoxide in relation to adverse pregnancy outcome in two high altitude cities of Peru.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to pollution from biomass fuel has been associated with low birthweight in some studies. Few studies have included exposure-response analyses. METHOD: We conducted a case-control study of biomass fuel use and reproductive outcome at high altitude in Peru. Cases (n=101) were full term births who were SGA (birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age). Controls (n=101) had a birthweight ≥10th percentile, and were matched to cases on birth week and residence. Biomass fuel use during pregnancy was determined by questionnaire. Carbon monoxide (CO) in the kitchen was measured in a subgroup (n=72). Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of biofuel and CO on the risk of SGA, controlling for maternal education and parity. RESULTS: Among cases, 30%, 27% and 44% used gas, gas+biomass, and biomass, respectively, while the figures for controls were 39%, 33%, and 29%. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for biomass fuel alone compared with gas alone was 4.5 (95% CI: 1.3, 15.5, p=0.02), while the OR for biomass+gas vs. gas alone was 2.1 (0.80-5.5) (p=0.13). Among the subgroup with measured CO, the mean 48-h kitchen CO levels were 4.8, 2.2 and 0.4ppm for biofuel only, biofuel+gas, and gas respectively. ORs by increasing tertile of CO level were 1.0, 1.16, and 3.53 (test for trend, p=0.02). The exposure-response trend corresponds well with one other study with analogous data. CONCLUSION: Despite limited sample size, our data suggest that maternal exposure to biomass smoke and CO, at high altitude, is associated with SGA among term births.

Synergistic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae) and Fagara tessmannii (Rutaceae) on male sexual organs and hormone level in rats.

BACKGROUND: Lepidium meyenii is a plant, which has been used in folk medicine to treat infertility and to increase sexual desire. However, few reports have investigated the administration of this plant with other plants having the same properties. OBJECTIVE: The present investigation was designed to evaluate whether the combination of Lepidium meyenii and Fagara tessmannii can improve spermatogenesis and testosterone level in rats. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty male rats were treated daily for 2 weeks with the hydroalcoholic extract of Fagara tessmannii and Lepidium meyenii (Fag + MN) as follow: (vehicle), (0.01 g + 0.5 mg), (0.1 g + 5 mg) and (1 g+ 50 mg)/kg BW. RESULTS: At doses Fag 0.01 g/MN 0.5 mg and Fag 0.1 g/MN 5 mg, the weight of seminal vesicle, prostate, and testis significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while at dose Fag 1 g/MN 50 mg, the weight of epididymis and testis significantly increased (P < 0.05) when compared to the control. We noticed a significant increase of the number of spermatids/test (P < 0.05), epididymis sperm count (P < 0.05), and DSP/test of the rats at dose Fag 1 g/MN 50 mg while at dose Fag 0.01 g/MN 0.5 mg and Fag 0.1 g/MN 5 mg, sperm count was reduced in male organs, particularly in vas deferens (P < 0.05) and epididymis (P < 0.001). The serum testosterone concentration significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at lowest dose Fag 0.01 g/MN 0.5 mg. However, at highest dose Fag 1 g/MN 50 mg, the serum testosterone concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05). The length of stage VII-VIII and IX-I of the seminiferous tubule significantly (P < 0.05) increased while the length of stage II-VI significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the combination of Lepidium meyenii (Black Maca) with Fagara tessmannii can improve male reproductive organs activities.

Prevalencia del estado periodontal de pacientes portadores de prótesis parcial removible tratados en una clínica dental privada / Prevalence of periodontal status of patients with removable partial dentures treated in a private dental clinic

Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia del estado periodontal de los pacientes portadores de prótesis parcial removible que acudieron a la Clínica Dental Docente de la UPCH. Materiales y métodos: Diseño retrospectivo con universo conformado por pacientes portadores de prótesis parcial removible recepcionados por alumnos de pregrado. Resultados: Se incluyeron a 130 historias clínicas encontrando mayor prevalencia del género femenino (66.92%), con una edad media de 43.57 años. En el análisis univariado se encontró mayor prevalencia en la arcada inferior (61.54%), clase III de edentulismo (57.69%), estado gingival leve (55.38%), higiene oral deficiente (46.92%), ausencia de movilidad (91.54%), presencia de retención (88.46%), ausencia de recesión (79.23%), defecto de furcación (100%), estado malo de la PPR (73.85%) y estado periodontal enfermo (96.92%). En el análisis bivariado, se encontró relación entre las variables estado periodontal – clase de edentulismo y estado gingival – higiene oral; por otro lado no se encontró relación entre estado gingival – clase de edentulismo, estado de prótesis – estado gingival, estado periodontal – género, estado periodontal – arcada dentaria, recesión gingival – retención de placa, estado de prótesis – movilidad dentaria y estado periodontal – estado de prótesis. Conclusiones: Es de vital importancia realizar controles rigurosos del estado periodontal antes, durante y después de cualquier tratamiento realizado en la cavidad bucal, para garantizar su funcionalidad, longevidad y por ende bienestar al paciente.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of periodontal status in patients fitted with removable partial dentures attending at the Teaching Dental Clinic (UPCH). Materials and methods: A retrospective design was conducted with a universe of patients fitted with removable partial dentures seen by undergraduate students. Results: A total of 130 dental records were analyzed, of those 66.92 % were females with a mean age of 43.57 years old. The Univariate analysis found a higher prevalence in the lower arch (61.54 %), Class III of edentulism (57.69 %), mild gingival status (55.38 %), poor oral hygiene (46.92 %), lack of mobility (91.54 %), presence of retention (88.46 %), absence of recession (79.23 %), furcation defect (100 %), poor condition of RPD (73.85 %) and periodontal disease (96.92 %). In the Bivariate analysis, the related variables were: periodontal status with Class of edentulism and gingival status with oral hygiene; the unrelated variables were: gingival status with Class of edentulism, prosthetic status with gingival status, periodontal status with gender, periodontal status with dental arch, gingival recession with plaque retention, denture status with tooth mobility and periodontal status with prosthesis status. Conclusions: It is of vital importance perform a rigorous evaluation of the periodontal status before, during and after any treatment performed in the oral cavity, to ensure their functionality, longevity and therefore patient welfare.

Evaluación del bienestar animal por medio de indicadores conductuales durante el sacrificio de bovinos / Assessmen of aniimal welfare using behavioral indicators during cattle slaugherr

La legislación Colombiana establece los lineamientos para el sacrificio de bovinos, el cual debe garantizar un procedimiento humanitario, además de cumplir con ciertos parámetros de calidad del producto final. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la eficiencia en la insensibilización en dos plantas de sacrificio como indicador de bienestar animal. Se evaluó la insensibilización de 1343 bovinos. Como variables se emplearon los signos de pérdida de sensibilidad (reflejo corneal, intentos de incorporarse, vocalizaciones y respiración rítmica) e indicadores conductuales de pérdida de Bienestar Animal (BA) (resbalones, caídas, vocalizaciones, saltos y marcha hacia atrás). Se midió el tiempo de retraso en la insensibilización, el número de disparos por animal, la localización correcta del impacto y el tiempo entre insensibilización y sangría. El 96.5% de los bovinos colapsaron inmediatamente después de recibir el primer impacto, sin embargo, el 23.6% (n=307) de éstos recuperó la sensibilidad antes de la sangría, debido al amplio intervalo de tiempo entre la insensibilización y la sangría superior a los 60 segundos (98.7%). Se encontró asociación significativa entre el retraso en la insensibilización y el número de eventos conductuales (p<0.01). Asimismo, se hallaron diferencias para los indicadores conductuales entre las plantas de sacrificio (p<0.01), encontrándose mayor incidencia en la planta A, la cual contaba con un método de sujeción de cabeza en el cajón de insensibilización, pero no de cuerpo. De otra parte, se observaron malas prácticas de manejo y conducción de los animales en la planta B como sujetar y empujar el animal con la picana eléctrica. Se concluye que en las plantas evaluadas el bienestar animal durante el sacrificio de bovinos es deficiente, se hace necesario la capacitación del personal, mejoras en la infraestructura y la implementación de indicadores de evaluación.

Colombian laws establish the guidelines for slaughtering of cattle which have to f guarantee a humane procedure, besides complying with some quality parameters for the final product. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficiency of the stunning process in two slaughterhouses as an indicator of animal welfare. Stunning was evaluated in 1343 bovines. Signs of loss of consciousness (corneal reflex, attempts to head up, vocalizations and rhythmic breathing) as well as behavioral indicators of Animal Welfare (AW) loss (slipping, falling, vocalizations, jumping and backward movements) were assessed to identify animal welfare standards. Besides, the stunning delay, the number of shots per animal, the appropriate location of the shots and the interval between shot and bleeding were measured. Although, 98.5% of animals collapsed immediately after receiving the first shot, 23.6% (n=307) recovered sensitivity before bleeding, because of the wide interval between stunning and bleeding which was higher than 60 seconds (98.7%). There was a significant association between stunning delay and the number of behavioral events counted (p<0.01). Moreover, differences in the behavioral indicators among the slaughterhouses evaluated were found (p<0.01) showing greater incidence in slaughter house "A" which had a head fixation system, but not one to hold still the entire body of the animal. Aversive behavioral responses were encountered in plant "B", such as the use of cattle prods to hold and push the animal while it was in the stunning box. The results indicate that in the slaughterhouses evaluated animal welfare during slaughtering is defficient and it is necessary to implement personnel training, improvement of infrastructure and evaluation indicators.

Resistance of sperm motility to serum testosterone in men with excessive erythrocytosis at high altitude.

Excessive erythrocytosis (EE) [hemoglobin (Hb) >21 g/dl] observed in natives at high altitude (HA) seems to be due to elevated serum testosterone levels compared with men without EE at HA. The aim of the study was to determine the association between serum testosterone levels and high hemoglobin levels at HA with sperm quality. The study was conducted with 72 adult men living at 4,340 m and 52 native men at sea level (SL). At HA, men were grouped according to hemoglobin value (group 1:16-21 g/dl or group 2: Hb >21 g/dl). Hemoglobin and serum testosterone levels were evaluated. Sperm concentration, percentage of progressive sperm motility, percentage of normal sperm morphology, and markers of seminal vesicles function (corrected seminal fructose) and of prostate function (seminal zinc levels) were calculated. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in the group with EE (p<0.001). Progressive sperm motility in men with EE was lower than in the other group (Hb >16-21 g/dl) and that of those at SL. Seminal pH, zinc levels and normal sperm morphology in men at HA were lower than at SL. At HA, a significant inverse relationship was observed between hemoglobin and progressive sperm motility (p<0.01). At SL, serum testosterone levels were directly related with progressive sperm motility, whereas at HA, no association was observed (p>0.05). No association between testosterone levels and corrected seminal fructose was observed in men with EE. In conclusion, low sperm motility was observed in men with EE despite elevated serum testosterone levels suggesting a resistance of sperm motility.

Aromatase activity after a short-course of letrozole administration in adult men at sea level and at high altitude (with or without excessive erythrocytosis).

Men living at high altitudes in Peru compared to sea level counterparts have erythrocytosis (hemoglobin 16-21 g/dl) or excessive erythrocytosis (hemoglobin>21 g/dl). High testosterone (T) levels in men at high altitude (HA) were associated with excessive erythrocytosis. High androgen levels could be due to a low aromatase activity or to an elevated rate of conversion from precursors to testosterone. The aim of this study was to evaluate aromatase activity and rate of conversion from precursors to testosterone before and after administration of the aromatase enzyme inhibitor letrozole (5 mg/day) for a 5-day period to men at HA and at sea level (SL). The response to short term aromatase inhibition was assessed in 30 adult men living at sea level, 31 native men at HA with erythrocytosis (Hb 16-21 g/dl), and 35 men at HA with excessive erythrocytosis (Hb>21 g/dl). Serum hormone levels, estradiol/testosterone, testosterone/androstenedione, and testosterone/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) ratios were measured. Men with erythrocytosis had lower basal serum T/androstenedione ratios than men with excessive erythrocytosis at HA and men at sea level. Men at HA with excessive erythrocytosis had higher T/DHEAS ratios than men with erythrocytosis and than those at sea level before and after letrozole administration. After letrozole administration, both groups of men at high altitude (with erythrocytosis or with excessive erythrocytosis) showed lower aromatase activities than those at sea level. In conclusion, higher serum testosterone levels in men with excessive erythrocytosis were associated with an increased rate of conversion from DHEAS to testosterone rather than to a lower aromatase activity.