Multivariate effect of inorganic wastewater matrix on the removal of pesticides by solar photo-Fenton.

An amount of works has reported the effect of wastewater matrix composition on pollutants removal by different AOPs. The biggest challenge is that each wastewater source has a challenging composition (organic and inorganic compounds, pollutants, etc.) and not only the concentration of all these species but also the interaction between them may affect the effectiveness of the studied process. This work has been carried out to evaluate the photo-degradation kinetics of six different pesticides (flutriafol, imidacloprid, myclobutanil, pirimicarb, thiamethoxam and triadimenol) by solar photo-Fenton (SPF) process at acidic pH. First, oxidant concentration (H2O2) was optimized with an actual WWTP effluent. Then, the process was validated with two different secondary and tertiary WWTP effluents, in which main intermediate transformation by-products were identified. Finally, the effect of the inorganic water matrix components (bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, nitrate and phosphate) was evaluated by a multivariate analysis. Once H2O2 has been optimized at 30 mg L-1, the photo-degradation efficiency of pesticides in real wastewater samples was compared. DOC content of both secondary and tertiary WWTP effluents was dropped by 67%. The identification of the main intermediate transformation by-products (such as 1H-1,2,4-triazole, desmethyl-formamido pirimicarb, thiamethoxam urea, chloronicotinic acid and imidacloprid urea) was reviewed. Following, the multivariate analysis on pesticides photo-degradation, generally, predicted four significant effects in common for the studied pesticides: a positive effect (interaction bicarbonate/nitrate) and three negative ones (chloride, phosphate and the interaction chloride/sulphate); among others. In addition, optimum values of inorganic ion concentrations, to obtain an optimum desirability on studied pesticides removal by SPF at acidic pH, were also evaluated.

Body shape diversification along the benthic-pelagic axis in marine fishes.

Colonization of novel habitats can result in marked phenotypic responses to the new environment that include changes in body shape and opportunities for further morphological diversification. Fishes have repeatedly transitioned along the benthic-pelagic axis, with varying degrees of association with the substrate. Previous work focusing on individual lineages shows that these transitions are accompanied by highly predictable changes in body form. Here, we generalize expectations drawn from this literature to study the effects of habitat on body shape diversification across 3344 marine teleost fishes. We compare rates and patterns of evolution in eight linear measurements of body shape among fishes that live in pelagic, demersal and benthic habitats. While average body shape differs between habitats, these differences are subtle compared with the high diversity of shapes found within each habitat. Benthic living increases the rate of body shape evolution and has led to numerous lineages evolving extreme body shapes, including both exceptionally wide bodies and highly elongate, eel-like forms. By contrast, we find that benthic living is associated with the slowest diversification of structures associated with feeding. Though we find that habitat can serve as an impetus for predictable trait changes, we also highlight the diversity of responses in marine teleosts to opportunities presented by major habitats.

A CURE for a Major Challenge in Phenomics: A Practical Guide to Implementing a Quantitative Specimen-Based Undergraduate Research Experience.

The measurement and analysis of phenotypes is often a rate-limiting step for many integrative organismal studies but engaging undergraduate researchers can help overcome this challenge. We present a practical guide to implementing a quantitative specimen-based Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), which trains students to collect phenotypic data and mentors them through the entire scientific process using the data they help to collect. Direct access to specimens is not necessary to implement this undergraduate research experience, as recent efforts to digitize museum collections along with online image archives allow data extraction to take place in any classroom. We focus in particular on hypothesis development and quantitative skills, as they are essential for modern biological discovery but are rarely emphasized in traditional lecture-based classes. We have implemented this experience, focusing on collecting and analyzing body shape data across fishes, at two institutions with a total of 39 students. It has so far resulted in 14 talks and 4 posters presented by students at local symposia and 2 scientific papers in preparation with undergraduate co-authors. Moreover, the students had a positive experience that, according to their own assessment, improved their critical thinking and analytical skills as well as their knowledge of science and the scientific process.

La caractérisation et l'analyse de phénotypes peuvent imposer des contraintes temporelles importantes dans le cadre d'études intégratives sur la biologie des organismes. Une solution avantageuse pour pallier ce problème est de solliciter la participation d'étudiant(e)s-chercheur(e)s de premier cycle universitaire. Nous proposons un guide pratique afin de mettre en œuvre une expérience de recherche par cours pour des étudiant(e)s de premier cycle (CURE = Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) fondée sur l'analyse quantitative de spécimens. Au cours de cette expérience, nous entraînons les étudiant(e)s à récolter des données phénotypiques qui sont ensuite utilisées afin de leur enseigner l'ensemble des étapes du processus scientifique. Considérant les efforts récents investis dans la digitalisation de collections muséales et la disponibilité de bases de données d'images en ligne, l'accès direct à des spécimens n'est pas fondamental à la complétion de cette expérience de recherche, les données nécessaires pouvant être extraites d'internet dans n'importe quelle salle de classe. Nous focalisons particulièrement sur l'élaboration d'hypothèses et le développement d'aptitudes en analyses quantitatives, puisque ces compétences sont essentielles aux découvertes contemporaines en sciences biologiques malgré qu'elles ne reçoivent généralement que peu d'emphase dans les formations traditionnelles dans le domaine. Nous avons réalisé cette expérience dans deux institutions universitaires avec un total de 39 étudiant(e)s afin de récolter et d'analyser des données morphologiques à travers l'ensemble des poissons. Jusqu'à présent, les résultats de ces analyses ont fait l'objet de 14 présentations orales ainsi que 4 affiches scientifiques dans des conférences régionales, et nos étudiant(e)s de premier cycle seront co-auteur(e)s de 2 articles scientifiques en cours de préparation. De plus, les étudiant(e)s ont apprécié cette expérience et ont affirmé avoir vu une amélioration dans leur capacité à exercer une pensée critique, dans leurs aptitudes analytiques, ainsi que dans leurs connaissances de la science et du processus scientifique.

Transcriptional changes in the aphid species Myzus cerasi under different host and environmental conditions.

Aphids feature complex life cycles, which in the case of many agriculturally important species involve primary and secondary host plant species. Whilst host alternation between primary and secondary host can occur in the field depending on host availability and the environment, aphid populations maintained as laboratory stocks generally are kept under conditions that allow asexual reproduction by parthenogenesis on secondary hosts. We used Myzus cerasi (black cherry aphid) to assess aphid transcriptional differences between populations collected from primary hosts in the field and those adapted to secondary hosts under controlled environment conditions. Transfer of M. cerasi collected from local cherry trees to reported secondary host species resulted in low survival rates. Moreover, aphids were unable to survive on the secondary host land cress, unless first adapted to another secondary host, cleavers. Transcriptome analyses of the different aphid populations (field collected and adapted) revealed extensive transcriptional plasticity to a change in environment, with predominantly genes involved in redox reactions differentially regulated. Most of the differentially expressed genes were duplicated and we found evidence for differential exon usage. Our data suggest that aphid adaptation to different environments may pose a major hurdle and leads to extensive gene expression changes.

Extending the Geometric Approach for Studying Biomechanical Motions.

Whether it is swimming, walking, eating, or jumping, motions are a fundamental way in which organisms interact with their environment. Understanding how morphology contributes to motion is a primary focus of kinematic research and is necessary for gaining insights into the evolution of functional systems. However, an element that is largely missing from traditional analyses of motion is the spatial context in which they occur. We explore an application of geometric morphometrics (GM) for analyzing and comparing motions to evaluate the outputs of biomechanical linkage models. We focus on a common model for oral jaw mechanics of perciform fishes, the fourbar linkage, using GM to summarize motion as a trajectory of shape change. Two traits derived from trajectories capture the total kinesis generated by a linkage (trajectory length) and the kinematic asynchrony (KA) of its mobile components (trajectory nonlinearity). Oral jaw fourbar data from two subfamilies of Malagasy cichlids were used to generate form-function landscapes, describing broad features of kinematic diversity. Our results suggest that kinesis and KA have complex relationships with fourbar morphology, each displaying a pattern in which different shapes possess equivalent kinematic trait values, known as many-to-one mapping of form-to-function. Additionally, we highlight the observation that KA captures temporal differences in the activation of motion components, a feature of kinesis that has long been appreciated but was difficult to measure. The methods used here to study fourbar linkages can also be applied to more complex biomechanical models and broadly to motions of live organisms. We suggest that they provide a suitable alternative to traditional approaches for evaluating linkage function and kinematics.

Building a Body Shape Morphospace of Teleostean Fishes.

We present a dataset that quantifies body shape in three dimensions across the teleost phylogeny. Built by a team of researchers measuring easy-to-identify, functionally relevant traits on specimens at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History it contains data on 16,609 specimens from 6144 species across 394 families. Using phylogenetic comparative methods to analyze the dataset we describe the teleostean body shape morphospace and identify families with extraordinary rates of morphological evolution. Using log shape ratios, our preferred method of body-size correction, revealed that fish width is the primary axis of morphological evolution across teleosts, describing a continuum from narrow-bodied laterally compressed flatfishes to wide-bodied dorsoventrally flattened anglerfishes. Elongation is the secondary axis of morphological variation and occurs within the more narrow-bodied forms. This result highlights the importance of collecting shape on three dimensions when working across teleosts. Our analyses also uncovered the fastest rates of shape evolution within a clade formed by notothenioids and scorpaeniforms, which primarily thrive in cold waters and/or have benthic habits, along with freshwater elephantfishes, which as their name suggests, have a novel head and body shape. This unprecedented dataset of teleostean body shapes will enable the investigation of the factors that regulate shape diversification. Biomechanical principles, which relate body shape to performance and ecology, are one promising avenue for future research.

Comparison of diffusion, cytotoxicity and tissue inflammatory reactions of four commercial bleaching products against human dental pulp stem cells.

Multiple side effects related to bleaching were found to occur in the dental pulp tissue, including decreased cell metabolism and viability. In this work we evaluated the in vitro diffusion capacity, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of four commercial bleaching products on stem cells from human dental pulp (hDPSCs). Two commercial bleaching gels hydrogen peroxide-based (HP), Norblanc Office 37.5% (Nor-HP) and Opalescence Boost 40% (Opal-HP) were applied for 30 min to enamel/dentine discs. Another two gels from the same manufacturers, 16% carbamide peroxide-based (CP), Norblanc Home (Nor-CP) and Opalescence CP 16% (Opal-CP), were applied for 90 min. The diffusion of HP was analysed by fluorometry. Cytotoxicity was determined using the MTT assays, the determination of apoptosis, immunofluorescence assays and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Tissue inflammatory reactions were evaluated histopathologically in rats. Statistical differences were performed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test (α < 0.05). Normon products showed lower cytotoxicity and diffusion capacity than the Ultradent products. A high intracellular ROS level was measured in hDPSCs after exposure to Opal-HP. Finally, a severe necrosis of both coronal and radicular pulp was observed with Opal-HP. Similar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide in a variety of bleaching products exhibited different responses in cells and dental pulp tissue, suggesting that bleaching products contain unknown agents that could influence their toxicity.

Pectoral Dimorphism Is a Pervasive Feature of Skate Diversity and Offers Insight into their Evolution.

Mature skates (Batoidea: Rajoidei) display a unique form of sexual dimorphism in which males develop a concave anterior pectoral fin, giving them a bell-shaped appearance. Recent work has linked the male-specific transformation to differential skeletal development that is coincident with the rapid elongation of claspers, cartilage-supported intromittent organs. Still, little is known about the prevalence of pectoral dimorphism across skates or of interspecific variation in its expression. Here, we use various morphological approaches to broadly explore pectoral dimorphism in skates, with the goal of understanding its significance in their evolutionary history. We find that pectoral fin sexual dimorphism exists across skate diversity, positively identifying its presence in at least 131 species spanning 33 genera, approximately 40% of valid species. Further, we show that the nature of male-female shape change is largely consistent across species, but that it differs in its magnitude at a biologically meaningful scale. Finally, we use the pygmy skate Fenestraja plutonia as a case study to illustrate ontogenetic patterns in the development of pectoral fin dimorphism, additionally identifying sex-based differences in the pelvic girdle and jaw. Our work suggests that the diversity of pectoral dimorphism in skates is linked to comparative growth and maturation, and potentially to processes underlying reproductive and life history diversification within the group.

El Dimorfismo Pectoral es una Característica Generalizada de la Diversidad de Patines y Ofrece una Perspectiva de su Evolución Los patines (Batoidea: Rajoidei) muestran una forma única de dimorfismo sexual en el que los machos desarrollan una aleta pectoral anterior cóncava que les da una apariencia de campana. Estudios recientes han relacionado este dimorfismo en los machos con el desarrollo esquelético diferencial que coincide con la rápida elongación de los gonopterigios, órganos intromitentes soportados por cartílago. Sin embargo, poco se sabe acerca de la prevalencia del dimorfismo pectoral en patines o de la variación interespecífica en su expresión. En este estudio abordamos varios enfoques morfológicos para explorar ampliamente el dimorfismo pectoral en patines, con el objetivo de comprender su importancia en su historia evolutiva. Identificamos dimorfismo sexual en al menos 131 especies que abarcan 33 géneros, aproximadamente el 40% de las especies válidas. Además, mostramos que la naturaleza del cambio de forma masculino­femenino es en gran medida consistente en todas las especies, pero que difiere en su magnitud en una escala biológicamente significativa. Por último, utilizamos el patín pigmeo Fenestraja plutonia como estudio de caso para ilustrar los patrones ontogenéticos en el desarrollo del dimorfismo de la aleta pectoral, además de identificar dimorfismo sexual a nivel de cintura pélvica y mandíbula. Nuestro trabajo sugiere que la diversidad del dimorfismo pectoral en los patines está relacionada con el crecimiento y la maduración comparativos y, potencialmente, con los procesos subyacentes a la diversificación de la reproducción e historias de la vida dentro del grupo. Translated to Spanish by S. Hinojosa (hinojosa.silvia@gmail.com).

O Dimorfismo Peitoral é uma Característica Difusa da Diversidade do Skate e Oferece Informações sobre sua Evolução Rajídeos maduros (Batoidea: Rajoidei) exibem uma forma única de dimorfismo sexual em que os machos desenvolvem uma nadadeira peitoral anterior côncava, dando-lhes uma aparência em forma de sino. Trabalhos recentes correlacionam a forma específíca dos machos ao desenvolvimento diferencial do esqueleto, que coincide com o rápido alongamento dos clásperes, órgãos intromitantes cartilaginosos. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre a prevalência do dimorfismo peitoral em rajideos, ou sobre a variação interespecífica dessa expressão. Nesse trabalho utilizamos diversas abordagens morfológicas para explorar de forma ampla o dimorfismo peitoral dessas raias, com o objetivo de compreender sua significancia em relação à história evolutiva desse grupo. Descobrimos que o dimorfismo sexual da nadadeira peitoral existe entre de toda a diversidade dos rajídeos, observando sua presença em ao menos 131 espécies espalhadas por 33 gêneros, compreendendo aproximadamente 40% das espécies válidas. Além disso, mostramos que a natureza da mudança da forma entre machos e fêmeas é consistente entre as espécies, mas que diferem em sua magnitude em uma escala biologicamente significativa. Finalmente, usamos o rajideo pigmeu Fenestraja plutonia como um estudo de caso para ilustrar padrões ontogenéticos no desenvolvimento do dimorfismo da nadadeira peitoral, além de identificar diferenças baseadas no sexo na cintura pélvica e na mandíbula. Nosso trabalho sugere que a diversidade do dimorfismo peitoral em rajídeos está ligada ao crescimento e maturação comparativos e, potencialmente, aos processos subjacentes à diversificação reprodutiva e de história de vida dentro do grupo. Translated to Portuguese by J.P. Fontenelle (jp.fontenelle@mail.utoronto.ca).

Can an eel be a flatfish? Observations on enigmatic asymmetrical heterenchelyids from the Guinea coast of West Africa.

Morphological asymmetry is described in the heterenchelyid mud eel Pythonichthys cf. macrurus from inshore coastal waters of Guinea, West Africa. The intensity of asymmetry differs between two examined specimens, with the more extreme case exhibiting strong asymmetry in both external and internal features, including unilateral depigmentation, reductive degeneration and embedding of a blind-side eye, skewed jaws with reduced dentition and tooth loss. The extent and nature of asymmetry suggests that this individual probably lived primarily on its left lateral side, not unlike sinistral pleuronectiform flatfishes.

Barley transcriptome analyses upon interaction with different aphid species identify thionins contributing to resistance.

Aphids are phloem-feeding insects that cause yield loss on a wide range of crops, including cereals such as barley. Whilst most aphid species are limited to one or few host species, some are able to reproduce on many plants belonging to different families. Interestingly, aphid probing behaviour can be observed on both host and non-host species, indicating that interactions take place at the molecular level that may impact host range. Here, we aimed to gain insight into the interaction of barley with aphid species differing in their ability to infest this crop by analysing transcriptional responses. Firstly, we determined colonization efficiency, settlement and probing behaviour for the aphid species Rhopalosiphum padi, Myzus persicae and Myzus cerasi, which defined host, poor-host and non-host interactions, respectively. Analyses of barley transcriptional responses revealed gene sets differentially regulated upon the different barley-aphid interactions and showed that the poor-host interaction with M. persicae resulted in the strongest regulation of genes. Interestingly, we identified several thionin genes strongly up-regulated upon interaction with M. persicae, and to a lesser extent upon R. padi interaction. Ectopic expression of two of these genes in Nicotiana benthamiana reduced host susceptibility to M. persicae, indicating that thionins contribute to defences against aphids.

Acute bleeding from pseudoaneurysms following liver and pancreatobiliary surgery.

PURPOSE: We report 12 patients with visceral PA following pancreato-biliary and hepatic surgery. RESULTS: Seven patients (7/11, 63 %) had developed postoperative complications from their original procedure; that information was missing in one patient. Bleeding occurred in eight (three with hemoperitoneum two with haemobilia, and three with GI bleeding through a biliary-enteric anastomosis), three were asymptomatic, and the other one presented with abdominal pain. Eleven patients had an interventional radiology procedure performed (Five underwent angioembolization, a stent was placed in four, and two patients underwent both procedures). Complications related to the procedure developed in 6 (54.5 %) patients, and surgery was required in four of them. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pseudoaneurysms (PA) of visceral arteries are rare and usually secondary to vascular injury after pancreato-biliary and liver surgery. They usually present with bleeding and nowadays most are amenable to initial control by interventional radiology.

Involvement of the -420C>G RETN polymorphism in myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis. HCM is an autosomal-dominant disease caused by more than 400 mutations in sarcomeric genes. Changes in nonsarcomeric genes contribute to its phenotypic heterogeneity. Cardiac fibrosis can be studied using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated the potential role of two polymorphisms in nonsarcomeric genes on interstitial fibrosis in HCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two polymorphisms in nonsarcomeric genes [ACE (deletion of 287 bp in the 16th intron) and RETN (-420C>G)] were analysed in 146 HCM patients. Cardiac fibrosis was assessed using LGE to determine the number of affected segments. RESULTS: Allelic frequencies in ACE and RETN polymorphisms were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (both P > 0.05). We found that the presence of the polymorphic allele in the -420C>G RETN polymorphism was independently associated with the number of affected segments of LGE (P = 0.038). Increased circulating resistin concentration, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was associated with a higher degree of cardiac fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis, assessed by Masson's trichrome staining, was associated with the -420C>G RETN polymorphism in 46 tissue samples obtained by septal myectomy (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The -420C>G RETN polymorphism was independently associated with the degree of cardiac fibrosis, assessed by LGE, in patients with HCM. In addition, there was an association between the polymorphism and the circulating resistin levels as well as with myocardial fibrosis in tissues obtained by myectomy. Investigating the physiological implication of the RETN polymorphism in HCM in combination with the use of imaging technologies might help to establish the severity of disease in patients with HCM.

Comparative study of select biochemical markers in cerebrospinal fluid of healthy dogs before and after treatment with nutraceuticals.

BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition depend on the disease stage and reflect modification of brain energy metabolism (BEM). Also, it has been reported that a decline in cognitive functions may be mitigated by incorporating nutraceuticals in the diet. OBJECTIVE: Assuming the beneficial effect of nutraceuticals on BEM and oxidative damage, the aim of this study was to determine if the administration of a nutraceutical compound results in changes of select CSF biomarkers in healthy adult Beagle dogs. METHODS: Two separate CSF and blood samples were obtained from 11 healthy adult Beagle dogs, before and after 50 days of treatment with a veterinary combined nutraceutical. CSF analysis included a total nucleated cell count, total protein, glucose, sodium, chloride, potassium, pyruvate, and lactate concentrations, and calculation of lactate/pyruvate ratio. CBC and serum biochemistry were also performed. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the significance of the changes after nutraceutical treatment. RESULTS: All studied variables remained within reference intervals, before and after treatment. A significant increase in CSF sodium and glucose concentration, and a decrease in lactate levels, was observed after treatment (P < .05), and the lactate/pyruvate ratio was decreased after treatment (P = .05). In serum, sodium and chloride concentrations were significantly increased (P < .05), and creatinine concentration was significantly decreased (P < .05) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 50 days of treatment with a nutraceutical compound, CSF glucose, sodium, and lactate concentrations, and L/P ratio were significantly different, suggesting an influence of nutraceuticals' administration on CSF composition.

[Prediction model for in-hospital admission in patients arriving in the emergency department]. / Modelo predictor de ingreso hospitalario a la llegada al servicio de urgencias.

BACKGROUND: To develop a prediction model for in-hospital admission to provide an almost "real time" determination of hospital beds needed, so as to predict the resources required as early as possible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study in the emergency department of a university hospital. We included all consecutive patients between 8.00-22.00 hours during one month. We analyzed 7 variables taken when the patient arrived at the emergency department: age, sex, level of triage, initial disposition, first diagnosis, diagnostic test and medication, and we performed a logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 2,476 visits of which 114 (4.6%) were admitted. A significant direct correlation was seen between: age >65 years old (odds ratio[OR]=2.1, confidence interval [CI] 95%,1.3-3.2; p=0.001); male sex (OR=1.6, IC 95%,1.1-2.4; p=0.020); dyspnea (OR=5.2, IC 95%, 2.8-9.7; p<0.0001), abdominal pain (OR=4.7, IC 95%, 2.7-8.3; p<0.0001); acute care initial disposition (OR=8.9, IC 95%, 5.4-14.9; p<0.0001), diagnostic test (OR=1.1, IC 95%,0.9-1.3; p=0.064) and treatment prescription (OR=2.6, IC95%,1.6-4.2; p=<0.0001). The model had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 82% (area under curve 0.85 [IC 95% 0.81-0.88; p<0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: The in-hospital admission prediction model is a good and useful tool for predicting the in-hospital beds needed when patients arrive at the emergency department.

Modelo predictor de ingreso hospitalario a la llegada al servicio de Urgencias / Prediction model for in-hospital admission in patients arriving in the Emergency Department

Fundamento. Desarrollar un modelo de predicción de ingreso hospitalario a la llegada del paciente al servicio de Urgencias, con el fin de conocer la necesidad de camas hospitalarias casi a tiempo real, y así prever los recursos asistenciales necesarios de forma precoz. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes consecutivos filiados para el triaje entre las 8-22 horas del servicio de Urgencias de un hospital terciario durante un mes. Se analizaron 7 variables a la llegada del paciente, que pudieran influir en el ingreso: edad, sexo, nivel de gravedad según el triaje, ubicación inicial, diagnóstico de entrada, solicitud de prueba complementaria y prescripción de medicación. Serealizó un estudio multivariable según regresión logística. Resultados. Se incluyeron 2.476 episodios de los que 114 (4,6%) ingresaron. Se asociaron de forma significativa: edad>65 años (Odds ratio [OR]=2,1, intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%, 1,3-3,2; p=0,001); sexo masculino (OR=1,6, IC 95%, 1,1-2,4;p=0,020). Diagnóstico de entrada disnea: (OR=5,2, IC 95%, 2,8-9,7; p<0,0001); dolor abdominal (OR=4,7, IC 95%, 2,7-8,3; p<0,0001); ubicación inicial en sala de agudos (OR=8,9, IC95%, 5,4-14,9; p<0,0001); solicitud de pruebas complementarias (OR=1,1, IC95%, 0,9-1,3; p=0,064) y prescripción de tratamiento (OR=2,6, IC 95%,1,6-4,2; p=<0,0001). Con dichas variables se diseñó un modelo matemático que tenía una sensibilidad del 76% y una especificidad del 82% (área bajo la curva es de 0,85 [IC 95% 0,81-0,88; p<0,001]). Conclusiones. El modelo de predicción de ingreso es una herramienta que puede ser de utilidad a la hora de preverla necesidad del recurso cama hospitalaria a la llegada del paciente al servicio de Urgencias(AU)

Background. To develop a prediction model for in-hospital admission to provide an almost «real time» determination of hospital beds needed, so as to predict the resources required as early as possible. Material and methods. A prospective observational study in the emergency department of a university hospital. We included all consecutive patients between 8.00-22.00hours during one month. We analyzed 7 variables taken when the patient arrived at the emergency department: age, sex, level of triage, initial disposition, first diagnosis, diagnostic test and medication, and we performed a logistic regression. Results. We included 2,476 visits of which 114 (4.6%) were admitted. A significant direct correlation was seen between: age >65 years old (odds ratio[OR]=2.1, confidence interval[CI] 95%, 1.3-3.2; p=0.001); male sex (OR=1.6, IC 95%, 1.1-2.4;p=0.020); dyspnea (OR=5.2, IC 95%, 2.8-9.7; p<0.0001), abdominal pain (OR=4.7, IC 95%, 2.7-8.3; p<0.0001); acute care initial disposition (OR=8.9, IC 95%, 5.4-14.9; p<0.0001), diagnostic test (OR=1.1, IC 95%, 0.9-1.3; p=0.064) and treatment prescription (OR=2.6, IC95%, 1.6-4.2; p=<0.0001). The model had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 82% (area under curve 0.85 [IC 95% 0.81-0.88; p<0.001]). Conclusions. The in-hospital admission prediction model is a good and useful tool for predicting the in-hospital beds needed when patients arrive at the emergency department(AU)

Effects of partially replacing dietary starch with dry glycerol in a lactating cow diet on ruminal fermentation during continuous culture.

The effects of dry glycerol as a partial replacement for dietary starch in a lactating cow diet on ruminal fermentation and bacterial protein synthesis were evaluated using 4 single-flow, continuous-culture fermentors (ranging from 1,015 to 1,040 mL in volume). The basal lactating cow diet was formulated to have partial contents of dietary starch provided from a corn starch supplement [at 12.37% diet dry matter (DM)], which was partially or completely replaced by a dry glycerol product. Both the corn starch supplement and dry glycerol product contained 65% of pure corn starch or glycerol, respectively. The final inclusion rate for pure glycerol was at 0, 3, 5, or 8% of DM in the basal diet. The experiment was conducted using a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 9-d periods, with the first 6 d for adaptation and last 3 d for sampling. Fermentors were inoculated with 1L of ruminal fluid and 25 g of ruminal digesta from a ruminally cannulated cow receiving a lactation total mixed ration (16% crude protein, 32% neutral detergent fiber, and 25% starch; DM basis). Each fermentor was fed 75 g of DM of its respective experimental diet daily in 3 equal portions (at 0800, 1400, and 2000 h). Liquid dilution rate of the fermentors was maintained at 10%/h and solids retention time was set at 24 h. Fermentation fluid and the effluent from each fermentor were sampled once daily (at 1330 h) from d 7 to 9 of each period and pooled by period. Postprandial ruminal fermentation was studied by sampling the fermentors hourly for 5 h after the 0800 h feeding on d 9 of each period. The total fermentation contents were harvested at the end of the period for estimations of bacterial protein synthesis. Replacing corn starch with dry glycerol linearly increased the proportions of propionate and valerate at the expense of acetate in the fermentation fluid measured daily or for the first 5h after feeding. Replacing corn starch with dry glycerol also linearly increased the digestibility of dietary neutral detergent fiber without a change on the flow or efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis during continuous culture. Results indicate that glycerol as a dry product can replace dietary starch as corn starch at a level of up to 8% of DM in the diet without negatively affecting ruminal fermentation and digestibility during continuous culture.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is related with localization, proliferation, and overall survival in canine melanocytic neoplasms.

A direct relationship has been firmly established between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and malignant behavior in human melanoma. This report examines the relationship between COX-2 expression and tumor location, mitotic and proliferative indices, degree of T CD3(+) lymphocyte infiltration, overall survival, and frequency of recurrence and metastasis of 57 melanocytic tumors (25 oral and 32 cutaneous). COX-2 was highly or moderately expressed in 88% of oral neoplasms (22 of 25), whereas for their cutaneous counterparts, COX-2 expression was low or insignificant in 75% of cases (24 of 32). High and moderate COX-2 expression levels were observed in 73% of melanocytic tumors with a mitotic index ≥ 3 per 10 high-power fields (26 of 36), whereas in 81% of tumors with a mitotic index < 3 (17 of 21), expression was mild or absent. There were 41 cases with known clinical outcomes; of those showing high, moderate, and mild COX-2 expression, 83.3% (10 of 12), 37.5% (3 of 8), and 25% (2 of 8) died, respectively, whereas 100% of animals showing no COX-2 expression (13 of 13) were still alive at the last follow-up. COX-2 expression was statistically correlated with tumor location, mitotic and percentage Ki-67 proliferative indices, and overall survival, frequency of neoplastic recurrence and metastasis. Regression analysis also showed disease-specific predictive value for COX-2 expression for subjects with melanocytic neoplasms. Additionally, only high COX-2 expression showed significant differences in overall survival, in comparison with moderate, mild, or absent expression. These results suggest that high COX-2 expression may be considered a prognostic biomarker and potentially as a target for therapeutic and preventive strategies in canine melanocytic neoplasms.

Uterine leiomyoma in a sheep.

Leiomyomas are benign tumours, which are frequently found in animal species. However, the presence of leiomyomas in domestic ruminants has been rarely reported, especially in sheep. This report describes the pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a leiomyoma in the uterine body of a sheep and discusses the different aetiological causes. This is the first description of a leiomyoma in sheep in Spain.

Diagnosis of placental pathogens in small ruminants by immunohistochemistry and PCR on paraffin-embedded samples.

A histological study was carried out on 58 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples of placenta from sheep and goats that had aborted, and the placental lesions were graded. Sequential histological sections of each cotyledon were then immunostained with specific antibodies and used for PCR detection of Chlamydophila abortus, Coxiella burnetii, Salmonella Abortusovis, Brucella melitensis, Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii. Most of the cotyledons showed different degrees of placentitis. The proportional agreement between the two techniques was 0.879 (kappa value 0.746). C abortus was the most prevalent pathogen. Mixed infections were common.