Optimization of Swine Breeding Programs Using Genomic Selection with ZPLAN.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the present conventional selection program of a swine nucleus farm and compare it with a new selection strategy employing genomic enhanced breeding value (GEBV) as the selection criteria. The ZPLAN+ software was employed to calculate and compare the genetic gain, total cost, return and profit of each selection strategy. The first strategy reflected the current conventional breeding program, which was a progeny test system (CS). The second strategy was a selection scheme based strictly on genomic information (GS1). The third scenario was the same as GS1, but the selection by GEBV was further supplemented by the performance test (GS2). The last scenario was a mixture of genomic information and progeny tests (GS3). The results showed that the accuracy of the selection index of young boars of GS1 was 26% higher than that of CS. On the other hand, both GS2 and GS3 gave 31% higher accuracy than CS for young boars. The annual monetary genetic gain of GS1, GS2 and GS3 was 10%, 12%, and 11% higher, respectively, than that of CS. As expected, the discounted costs of genomic selection strategies were higher than those of CS. The costs of GS1, GS2 and GS3 were 35%, 73%, and 89% higher than those of CS, respectively, assuming a genotyping cost of $120. As a result, the discounted profit per animal of GS1 and GS2 was 8% and 2% higher, respectively, than that of CS while GS3 was 6% lower. Comparison among genomic breeding scenarios revealed that GS1 was more profitable than GS2 and GS3. The genomic selection schemes, especially GS1 and GS2, were clearly superior to the conventional scheme in terms of monetary genetic gain and profit.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Pork Belly Components in Yorkshire Pigs.

This study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters for pork belly traits and muscles in Yorkshire pigs. Each pork belly was cut into nine parts perpendicular to the thoracic vertebrae (6th to 14th). Traits of belly muscles including the deep pectoral, latissimus dorsi, cutaneous trunci, rectus abdominis, external and internal abdominal oblique from 382 purebred pigs were recorded and analyzed using SAS Package (9.1) and Derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood methods. Heritability estimates for belly traits ranged from 0.27 to 0.49, while they were 0.12 to 0.66 for belly muscles. Moderate to high heritability estimates were noted in belly weight (0.33), belly length (0.28), and belly width (0.49). In belly muscles, the latissimus dorsi and deep pectoral, which are located only in the 6th to 9th vertebrae sections, were found to have heritability estimates ranging from 0.21 to 0.29 and 0.23 to 0.35, respectively. Strong heritability estimates were observed in the 7th to 13th sections of cutaneous trunci muscle ranging from 0.42 to 0.66. Genetic correlations of latissimus dorsi m. with belly length were positive (0.50), while cutaneous trunci m. with belly weight also revealed a positive relationship that ranged from 0.35 to 0.47. The estimated genetic parameters indicate that belly weight can be improved by genetic selection. Differences in the levels of heritability occurred among various parameters of Yorkshire pork belly, which should be considered when performing selection to improve pork belly quality. Moreover, these results can provide valuable information that can be used as the basis for further investigations to improve pork belly.

Estimation of Genetic Associations between Production and Meat Quality Traits in Duroc Pigs.

Data collected from 690 purebred Duroc pigs from 2009 to 2012 were used to estimate the heritability, and genetic and phenotypic correlations between production and meat quality traits. Variance components were obtained through the restricted maximum likelihood procedure using Wombat and SAS version 9.0. Animals were raised under the same management in five different breeding farms. The average daily gain, loin muscle area (LMA), backfat thickness (BF), and lean percent (LP) were measured as production traits. Meat quality traits included pH, cooking loss, lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), marbling score (MS), moisture content (MC), water holding capacity (WHC), and shear force. The results showed that the heritability estimates for meat quality traits varied largely from 0.19 to 0.79. Production traits were moderate to highly heritable from 0.41 to 0.73. Genotypically, the BF was positively correlated (p<0.05) with MC (0.786), WHC (0.904), and pH (0.328) but negatively correlated with shear force (-0.533). The results of genetic correlations indicated that selection for less BF could decrease pH, moisture content, and WHC and increase the shear force of meat. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was recorded between average daily gain and WHC, which indicates pork from faster-growing animals has higher WHC. Furthermore, selection for larger LMA and LP could increase MS and lightness color of meat. The meat quality and production traits could be improved simultaneously if desired. Hence, to avoid further deterioration of pork characteristics, appropriate selection of traits should be considered.

Morbidity and mortality of live lung donation: results from the RELIVE study.

The Renal and Lung Living Donors Evaluation Study assesses outcomes of live lung (lobectomy) donors. This is a retrospective cohort study at University of Southern California (USC) and Washington University (WASHU) Medical Centers (1993­2006), using medical records to assess morbidity and national databases to ascertain postdonation survival and lung transplantation. Serious complications were defined as those that required significant treatment, were potentially life-threatening or led to prolonged hospitalization. The 369 live lung donors (287 USC, 82 WASHU) were predominantly white, non-Hispanic and male; 72% had a biological relationship to the recipient, and 30% were recipient parents. Serious complications occurred in 18% of donors; 2.2% underwent reoperation and 6.5% had an early rehospitalization. The two centers had significantly different incidences of serious complications (p < 0.001). No deaths occurred and no donors underwent lung transplantation during 4000+ person-years of follow-up (death: minimum 4, maximum 17 years; transplant: minimum 5, maximum 19). Live lung donation remains a potential option for recipients when using deceased donor lungs lacks feasibility. However, the use of two live donors for each recipient and the risk of morbidity associated with live lung donation do not justify this approach when deceased lung donors remain available. Center effects and long-term live donor outcomes require further evaluation.

Experiencia clínica con un inhibidor de la alfa glucosidasa (acarbosa) en el tratamiento de la diabetes no insulinodependiente: estudio multicéntrico / Multicentric study on the effect of an alpha glucosidase inhibitor in the treatment of non insulin dependent diabetes

Diabetic patients received acarbose, 150 mg/day durign four weeks and this dose was increased to 300 mg/day durign 3 months. Afterwards, patients were followed for a period of 12 weeks without acarbose. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin were measured sequentially durign the study. Results: Eighty five patients were recruited for the study but 64 complied with the treatment protocol. The age of these patients was 56 ñ 8.8 years old, their diabetes duration was 7.8 ñ 8.8 years and their body mass index was 27.6 ñ 3.6 kg/m². During acarbose treatment, glycosilated hemoglobin decreased from 8.36 ñ 1.33 to 7.71 + 1.7 percent (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose decreased from 173 ñ 48 to 159 ñ 59 mg/dl (p < 0.03) and post-prandial blood glucose decreased from 254 ñ 80 to 241 ñ mg/dl (NS). After discontinuing acarbose glycosilated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels returned to basal levels. Body weight and blood pressure did not change during the treatment period. Fifty nine patients bad gastrointestinal symptoms (meteorism, flatulence and abdominal distention) that were mild in 59 percent and moderate in 39 percent. Episodes of hypoglycemia were not observed. Conclusions: Acarbose, associated to sylphonylureas is an effective drug to reduce blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin levels in patients with non insulin dependent diabetes

Actuarial outcome after catheter balloon commissurotomy in patients with mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the present study was to determine the intermediate-term survival and the independent predictors of survival and event-free survival for patients who undergo catheter balloon commissurotomy (CBC). METHODS AND RESULTS: CBC for the treatment of mitral stenosis was performed in 132 patients from 1986 through 1994. The use of CBC increased the mitral valve area (MVA) from 1.0 +/- 0.3 to 1.9 +/- 0.6 cm2 (P < .001). There were six early deaths (4.5%) up to 1 month after CBC ("hospital" deaths). In the past 4.5 years, there have been no hospital deaths. Four late deaths occurred after elective mitral valve replacement (MVR). Actuarial 7-year survival was 95 +/- 1%; when mortality after MVR is included, 7-year survival was 83 +/- 6%. Actuarial 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year event-free survival (survival without MVR or repeat CBC) was 80 +/- 4%, 77 +/- 4%, 65 +/- 6%, and 65 +/- 6%. On multivariate analysis, the only two independent predictors (both after CBC) of 7-year event-free survival were MVA of > or = 1.5 versus < 1.5 cm2 (75 +/- 7% versus 32 +/- 12%) and mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure of < or = 18 versus > 18 mm Hg (84 +/- 6% versus 38 +/- 11%) (P < .001 for both). Patients with MVA of > or = 1.5 cm2 (n = 96) could be further subdivided into high- and low-risk subgroups for 7-year event-free survival by two post-CBC variables: mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure of < or = 18 versus > 18 mm Hg (90 +/- 6% versus 48 +/- 14%) (P = .0002) and cardiac index of > or = 2.5 versus < 2.5 L.min-1.m-2 (82 +/- 8% versus 61 +/- 13%) (P = .004). Patients with post-CBC MVA of < 1.5 cm2 (n = 24) had no additional predictors of event-free survival. Of patients who did not undergo MVR or repeat CBC, 8% were in New York Heart Association functional class III and 92% were in class I or early class II at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The rates for intermediate-term survival and event-free survival after CBC are very encouraging. Most patients without events were asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. Thus, in selected patients with mitral stenosis who require an interventional procedure, CBC is the procedure of choice at centers with physicians who have experience and skill in performing this procedure.

[Auditory screening in public schools in Bilbao]. / Screening auditivo en colegios públicos de Bilbao.

In this work we present a hearing screening practised to 2802 six years children, attending to Public Schools in Bilbao area, during 1988, 1989 and 1990. We used the screening audiometry as method, placing the normality level in 30 dB H1 ISO. We obtained a prevalence of 6.6% and a 7.6% of false positives. Transmission hearing losses represent almost 70% and levels of low and moderate hearing loss were the most frequent, reading 88.6%. We also confirmed as parameters that contribute to hearing loss detection, the level and bilaterality of hearing loss, being language delay one of the most frequent reasons of suspicion. We also discovered that the vast majority of hearing losses that cause invalidation, deep and severe, have a perinatal origin, so early screenings would enable and early diagnostic and many benefits. In spite of all the screenings mant hearing losses are not detected, but they are moderate and can never cause incapacitation, being of little hearing relevance.

On envy and how to interpret it.

This paper analyses the importance of interpreting envy within the analytic situation. We proceed from the Kleinian definition of envy, that which stems from the subject, not from the frustrating characteristics of the object. Among the object's capabilities, that of tolerating what he has not is especially included (negative capacity). We maintain that on the attitude taken by the analyst when faced by negative transference--and by envy in particular--depend the different interpretive lines which will evolve. Owing to its confusional characteristics, envy is always subtly disguised and hardly ever appears in a straightforward manner. It is necessary, therefore, to assess carefully the 'frustration' which depends on envy and that which arises from the object. We consider it important to underline that to this specific complication a further one is added: if the analyst does not adequately interpret it, envy does not become apparent. Clinical material illustrates these points.