Nitrogen retention in hair sheep lambs with a gradient of Haemonchus contortus infection.

The impact of Haemonchus contortus infections on nitrogen retention (NR) of hair sheep lambs is unknown. This study estimated the feed intake, digestibility, NR, haematocrit (HT), and their relationship with the gradient of H. contortus infection in hair sheep lambs. Twenty-four hair sheep lambs, 3-4 months old, reared parasite-free were used (live weight (LW) 16.7 ± 1.7 kg). Six lambs were kept parasite-free, nine lambs received a dose of 300 H. contortus infective larvae (L3)/kg LW, and the remaining nine lambs received 500 H. contortus L3/kg LW. Infection doses ranged from 3870 to 9,500 L3. Lambs were individually fed for an average daily gain (ADG) of 100 g. On days 1 (P < 0.01) and 7 (P < 0.001) post-infection (PI), the L3 doses were positively associated with HT, possibly due to platelet recruitment. On week 1 PI, the infection (L3) reduced the crude protein (CP) intake (g/kg metabolic LW) (P < 0.05). A reduction of 1% HT corresponded to 1200 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) for day 21 PI (P < 0.05), 2300 EPG for day 28 PI (P < 0.001), 2400 EPG for day 35 (P < 0.001), and 1300 EPG for day 41 PI (P < 0.001). However, the HT levels were never lower than 21 %. A lower CP digestibility was associated with EPG only on week 5 PI (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between EPG, Total egg in faeces, or worm burden (WB) with intake, dry matter digestibility (DMD), ADG or NR. The NR of lambs was positive along the different weeks of study irrespective of infection level. The WB was negatively associated only with HT on day 41 PI (P < 0.001), where a 1 % HT reduction was estimated for every 257 worms hosted. In conclusion, no relationship was found between H. contortus infection and DMD, ADG or NR in hair sheep lambs. The cost of H. contortus infection resulted only from the HT reduction and depended on the gradient and stage of the infection.

An in vitro approach to evaluate the nutraceutical value of plant foliage against Haemonchus contortus.

Nutraceutical plants provide nutrients for the animal as well as secondary compounds that can affect the biology and survival of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Current screening of nutraceutical plants is based on in vitro evidence of anthelmintic (AH) activity against different life stages of GIN, but nutritional information is omitted or scarce. This study proposes an integral in vitro screening protocol to identify the nutraceutical value of the foliage from plant species consumed by small ruminants, using Haemonchus contortus as a biological model. The leaves from Acacia collinsii, A. pennatula, Bunchosia swartziana, Gymnopodium floribundum, Havardia albicans, Leucaena leucocephala, Lysiloma latisiliquum, Mimosa bahamensis, Piscidia piscipula, and Senegalia gaumeri were evaluated for their chemical composition and in vitro digestibility. Acetone:water extracts (70:30) from leaves of each plant were evaluated using the egg hatch assay and larval exsheathment inhibition assay. Respective effective concentrations 50% (EC50) were determined for each assay. The ten plant species showed good nutritional value for ruminants, including crude protein (> 10%), metabolizable energy (> 2.9 MJ/kg DM), and varied CT content (from 1.0 to 37.6%). The best AH activity against H. contortus eggs (EC50 = 401.8 µg/mL) and L3 (EC50 = 83.1 µg/mL) was observed for S. gaumeri extract. Although all the plant species showed in vitro nutraceutical potential, the leaves of S. gaumeri had the best values. The proposed in vitro protocol showed to be useful for the integral assessment of the nutraceutical potential of different plant species as it included the nutritional value and the AH activity against eggs and L3 in the selected plant species.

A protocol of human animal interaction to habituate young sheep and goats for behavioural studies.

Animal habituation is key to obtain reliable data on behavioural studies but detailed procedures to achieve it are scarce. This study designed a set of actions to habituate sheep and goats to human observers. Pelibuey sheep (n = 15) and Criollo goats (n = 10) were classified as (a) avoider, flight from human interaction, or (b) follower, seek human interaction. Habituation was measured by the reduction of flight distance by avoiders, or number of followers in the presence of observers. The habituation protocol consisted of a gradually increased series of five manoeuvres, either challenge (for avoiders) or evasion (for seekers), performed first inside a pen and subsequently in a grass paddock. Habituation was considered successful when animals could be observed from a 1-m distance without flight or following the observer. In the pen, habituation took 12 and 13 days for sheep and goats, respectively. Meanwhile, in the grass paddock habituation took 10 days, for both species. The number of challenge and evasion series was negatively correlated with the flight distance in sheep and with the number of followers in goats. This protocol is simple and practical to implement and enables animal habituation for behavioural studies.

Feed resource selection of Criollo goats artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus: nutritional wisdom and prophylactic self-medication.

Previous cafeteria studies suggested that a moderate natural gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection did not modify the resource selection of adult Criollo goats towards tannin-rich plants compared with worm-free goats. A higher infection with Haemonchus contortus could trigger a change in the resource selection behaviour towards tannin-rich foliage. Alternatively, goats might select plant species solely to meet their nutritional requirements. A cafeteria study investigated the effect of a high artificial infection with H. contortus on the feed resource selection of goats. Adult Criollo goats (37.5±4.8 kg BW) with browsing experience were distributed in two groups: the infected group (IG) with six animals artificially infected with H. contortus (6000 L3/animal); and the non-infected group (NIG) with six animals maintained worm-free. The experiment included two 5-day periods with additional 5-day adaptation period. In the first period, animals were offered foliage of five plant species with a decreasing gradient of condensed tannins (CT) (Mimosa bahamensis, Gymnopodium floribundum, Havardia albicans, Acacia pennatula, Lysiloma latisiliqum), and three plant species with negligible CT content (Leucaena leucocephala, Piscidia piscipula and Brosimum alicastrum). In the second period the foliage of B. alicastrum was withdrawn. A grain-based concentrate feed was offered daily at 1% BW in DM basis. Dry matter and nutrient intake was determined. Foliage selection of each experimental group was determined using the Chesson selection index. The H. contortus egg count per gram of faeces (EPG) was determined for infected goats twice daily. Chesson index showed a similar pattern of foliage selection on periods 1 and 2. Mean EPG of goats in IG was 2028±259 EPG during period 1 and 1 293±198 EPG during period 2 (P>0.05). During period 1, the selection pattern was highest for B. alicastrum (tannin-free), followed by a tannin-rich plant (M. bahamensis). These two plants remained as highly selected during period 2. The Chesson index showed that both experimental groups (IG and NIG) selected the same plant species in both periods. Thus, a high H. contortus infection did not affect selection of goats fed with CT-rich plants. Apparently, goats balanced their nutrient intake with the plants selected, showing evidence of nutritional wisdom. This balance may have helped to prevent excess protein in the diet and also to maintain a low GIN infection, both considered as examples of prophylactic self-medication.

Estudios farmacogenéticos en cáncer, VIH y trasplante / Pharmacogenetic studies in cancer, HIV and transplantation

INTRODUCCIÓN La farmacogenética predice cómo un individuo responde a la administración de un fármaco, con la finalidad de personalizar la terapia, incrementar la efectividad y minimizar las reacciones adversas. Ciertas variaciones genéticas pueden conducir a efectos adversos graves (hipersensibilidad al antirretroviral abacavir, toxicidad a 5-fluorouracilo y capecitabina) o a inefectividad (rechazo agudo a trasplante renal por escasa biodisponibilidad de tacrolimus). OBJETIVOS Determinar el genotipo en pacientes tratados con estos fármacos en la ciudad de San Juan y establecer la prevalencia de los tres polimorfismos genéticos en la población general. MÉTODOS La población consistió en 15 pacientes con diagnóstico certero de cáncer, 15 seropositivos para VIH y 1 que había recibido trasplante renal. Se seleccionó además a 45 individuos sanos. En todos los casos se firmó el consentimiento informado. Se hallaron las frecuencias génicas y genotípicas mediante la reacción en cadena de polimerasa (PCR). RESULTADOS Para la variación genética HLA-B*57 01, las frecuencias genotípicas y alélicas fueron de 0,000 para los individuos seropositivos y 0,022 para la población general. Se obtuvo una prevalencia de 2,00%. Para el polimorfismo DYPD, las frecuencias genotípicas y alélicas fueron de 0,000 tanto para los pacientes con cáncer como para los sujetos sanos, y la prevalencia fue de 0,00%, es decir que el 100% de los sujetos estudiados presentó la variante homocigota G/G normal. Idénticas frecuencias se obtuvieron para el polimorfismo CYP 3A5. DISCUSIÓN Dado que el número de individuos fue muy bajo, no se pudieron realizar cambios de esquemas terapéuticos o ajustes de dosis en los pacientes estudiados. Sin embargo, se obtuvo un valor de prevalencia para HLA-B*57:01 comparable a otros reportados, el cual permite estimar en San Juan la existencia de aproximadamente 15000 individuos portadores de la variación, para los que la genotipificación previa podría disminuir la aparición de efectos adversos.

Gastrointestinal nematode infection does not affect selection of tropical foliage by goats in a cafeteria trial.

It is important to determine whether gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) affect foliage choice of goats leading to confirm the expression of a self-medication behavior. This study investigated the effect of GIN infection on tropical foliage selection by goats. During experimental stage 1 (10 days), goats had a natural mixed GIN infection, and at stage 2 (10 days), goats were treated with effective anthelmintics to maintain them free of GIN infection. During stage 1 the twelve adult goats (32 ± 2.3 kg live weight [LW]) were assigned to three groups (n = 4) according to their initial GIN infection status: HI group, with fecal egg count (FEC) between 1450 and 2150 eggs per g/feces (EPG); MI group, medium FEC (592-1167 EPG); and the NI group, free from GIN infection. Fresh foliage of four tropical plants were offered to goats ad libitum for 1 h daily: Gymnopodium floribundum (high condensed tannin [CT] content, 37-40 %), Mimosa bahamensis (medium CT content, 16-17 %), Leucaena leucocephala (low CT content, 3-5 %), and Viguiera dentata (negligible CT content, 0.6-0.9 %). Jacobs' selection indexes (JSIs) were estimated for the experimental foliage based on dry matter (DM), CT, or crude protein (CP) intake. During both study stages, individual fecal egg counts were estimated. The JSI patterns of different plant species, based on DM, CT, or CP, were similar irrespective of infection level during stage 1 (HI, MI, and NI) or no GIN infection (stage 2). Thus, irrespective of GIN infection, goats actively selected M. bahamensis (high CT, low CP content) and V. dentata (negligible CT, high CP content) but avoided G. floribundum (high CT, low CP content) and L. leucocephala (medium CT and high CP content). Thus, natural GIN infection did not influence goats' foliage selection.

Síndrome de encefalopatía posterior reversible en un paciente trasplantado: reporte de caso / Posterior reversible encephalopathy in a transplanted patient: case report

El trasplante de órganos es una alternativa terapéutica cada vez más frecuente en nuestro medio y con ello las complicaciones y efectos de las medicaciones inmunosupresoras que afectan el sistema nervioso central (SNC). El síndrome de encefalopatía posterior reversible (SEPR) es un trastorno caracterizado por manifestaciones neurológicas potencialmente reversibles, asociadas a cambios en las neuroimágenes, en estrecha asociación con factores precipitantes, dentro de los cuales, se destacan el uso de medicamentos inmunosupresores, quimioterapéuticos y algunas condiciones médicas como hipertensión arterial y enfermedades renales.Las características clinico-radiológicas de este trastorno usualmente revierten con la suspensión de los factores precipitantes; sin embargo el diagnóstico tardío puede llevar a un desenlace fatal. Se presenta un caso de SEPRen una paciente joven a quien se le realizó trasplante cardiaco de urgencia. Durante su manejo post-operatoriorecibió tacrolimus como parte del tratamiento del paciente trasplantado. En la cuarta semana de post-operatorioy quinto día de tratamiento con tacrolimus desarrolló cefalea asociada a cifras tensionales elevadas, deterioro de la conciencia y episodios convulsivos tónico-clónicos generalizados; las manifestaciones neurológicas revirtieron en las 48 horas siguientes al retiro del tacrolimus, al igual que los cambios en las neuroimagenes que resolvieron un mes después de las manifestaciones iniciales.

The organ transplantation is a therapeutic alternative increasingly common in our country, thus, the complications and effects of immunosuppressive medications that affect the Central Nervous System (CNS). The Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is characterized by neurological manifestations associated with changes in neuroimaging, together with precipitating factors, among which the use of immunosuppressive, chemotherapy and certain medical conditions such as hypertension and kidney diseases stand out. Theclinical radiological features of this disorder are usually reversible with discontinuation of the precipitating factors; however a delayed diagnosis may lead to a fatal outcome. A case of PRES on a young patient who underwent an emergency heart transplant occurred in our institution. During his post operative care received tacrolimus as part of the transplant management. In the fourth week of post operative treatment and the fifth day of the use of tacrolimus, the patient presented headache associated with high pressure values, impaired consciousness and episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizure, the neurological symptoms reversed within 48 hours after the withdrawal of tacrolimus, as well as changes in neuroimaging who decided one month after the initial manifestations.

Immunohistochemical distribution of S-100 protein and subunits (S100-alpha and S100-beta) in the swamp-type water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) testis.

The distribution and localization of S-100 protein (S-100) and its subunits (S100-alpha and S100-beta) in the testis of swamp-type water buffalo were investigated using immunohistochemistry. S-100 was detected in the Sertoli cells in the convoluted seminiferous tubules, modified Sertoli cells lining the terminal segment of the seminiferous tubules and in the intratesticular excurrent ducts (straight tubules and rete testis). S100-beta showed the same distribution and localization with that of S-100. However, the cytoplasmic extension of the Sertoli cells in S100-beta staining showed less staining intensity compared with that of S-100. S100-alpha showed a positive staining only in the modified Sertoli cells of the terminal segment of the seminiferous tubule. Endothelial cells of blood vessels were also positive with the proteins while the Leydig and spermatogenic cells showed a negative reaction. The localization of S-100 in the testis of the water buffalo was in parallel with that of other artiodactyls which supports the hypothesis that this protein is a multifunctional protein. S100-beta in the Sertoli cells suggests that this protein is involved in establishing blood-testis barrier. Its presence in the modified Sertoli cells and in the epithelium of the excurrent ducts suggest secretory and absorptive function, respectively. Meanwhile, S100-alpha, which was detected only in the modified Sertoli cells, is involved in the secretory activity of these cells that are related to exocrine function.

Immunohistochemical study of the neuropeptides in the stellate ganglion of the water buffalo.

The localization of some neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin (Gal), methionine enkephalin (M-ENK), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity was studied in the stellate ganglion (SG) of water buffalo. NPY, SP, Gal and TH immunoreactivities were present in almost all of the ganglion cells. NPY, SP, Gal, SP, CGRP, VIP and M-ENK immunoreactive nerve fibers were also seen in the SG. The localization and pattern of distribution of these peptides in the water buffalo stellate ganglion were compared with those in stellate ganglia of other mammalian species.

The use of sutures in cataract surgery

1) The use of suture to coaptate the wound in cataract surgery enables the ophthalmologist to remove cataracts from cases he would hesitate to operate on without its aid. It gives early and more freedom of movement to the patient2) It will enable him to be less timid in the various steps of the operation, to avert disaster, should prolapse of the vitreous occur, to be more sure of his toilet of the wound, and to lessen his operative and post-operative complications3) Although it lengthens and complicates the operation, requiring proper materials and much practice, suturing of the operative wound in cataract surgery will increase the "batting average" of an ophthalmologist in obtaining a higher percentage of useful and good visual results4) After having given methods of suturing used in different ophthalmologist centers in the United States a trial in the first thirty-five cases of 100 consecutive cataract extractions, I have found McLeans suture the ideal suture. (Summary and Conclusion)

Cataract extraction in diabetes mellitus

1. When indicated, senile cataract in diabetes mellitus should be extracted 2. A little extra care is needed in the pre-operative and post-operative management 3. Attempts to bring the pre-operative blood sugar level to normal values at the cost of a feeling of weakness, does not seem to be advantageous and justified provided there is no acetone in the urine and prothrombin time is not prolonged 4. A blood sugar level of around 150 to 160 mg. seems to be an optimum level 5. The over-all visual results of cataract extraction in senile diabetics can compare favorably with non-diabetics. (Conclusion)

A system of overlying suture in partial penetrating keratoplasty

We have evolved a system of a single thread, ten-bridge equally spaced overlying suture, aided by egg membrane, artificial fibrin and immediate strong mydriatic for central partial penetrating keratoplasty no bigger than 6.5 mm. It has given us results, mechanical and visual, better than we have had with direct sturing or with the Katzin 3-leaf clover overlying suture or a combination of both. We suggest that others give it a trial. (Conclusion)

Anesthesia in rabbits for experimental research in ophthalmology

An adequate means of gauging the depth of anesthesia in rabbits is presented. A comparison of the use of gaseous anesthetic agent, barbiturates and barbiturate combinations for the purposes of rabbit anesthesia for ocular surgery and other experimentation is evaluated. The disadvantages with the use of gaseous anesthesia is enumerated. The various procedures for using the barbiturates and barbiturate combinations are presentedIntravenous Nembutal 25 mg/kg in conjuntion with a continuous Nembutal drip, 0.2 mg/cc at a rate of 2-4 drops per minute is the most convenient, effective and safe for prolonged anesthesia of our rabbits to as long as five hours or more. (Summary and Conclusion)

Rizal operated on the cataract of his mother

Rizals operations on his mother for cataract extraction were conceived in the love of a son for his mother, preceded by an and dedicated preparation in the best Eye Clinics of Europe and the tutorship of the greatest ophthalmic surgeons of the time; intertwined with the patriotic activities of the sublime Hero for his motherland they entailed prolonged but judicials waiting. They were performed under tying circumstances, in a foreign land and in exile in his own native country. It reflected the best in ophthalmological science and practice of the era, portrayed one of the most unique cataract extractions ever performed, that of an ophthalmic surgeon on his mother. Replete with human pathos, misinterpreted by historians, biographers and Rizalists, due to the paucity of authentic documents and conflicting versions, it was finally crowned with sufficient success that fulfilled the realization of one of the fondest dreams of our national Hero. (Summary)

Mindoro blindness from corneal degeneration

The Mindoro corneal blindness is a difficult ophthalmological problem in the Philippines. It is degenerative in nature and familial in tendency, with heredity, nutrition and trauma as probable additional factors. There are no evidences to consider it a part of a dermatological, so-called "lapnus syndrome," and there are insufficient findings to incriminate stored rice as the sole cause of it. It is certainly not due to ariboflavinosis. A small, 6.5 mm., central penetrating corneal transplant may remain transparent for many years in the early cases. For moderately advanced cases, it seems to be the first choice, but for the advanced cases, a wide, 9 mm. or more, penetrating keratoplasty, has been followed by opacification of the graft after about a month. A preliminary wide anterior lamellar grafting needs further trial for those advanced casesThe pathologic picture of degenerative keratopathy may be distinct and pure in the beginning but as the lesion advances, those of inflammation, proliferation, death and even necrosis may appear probably because of biological chain reactionsThe pathogenesis of degenerative keratopathies is probably a disturbance or a defect in one or more parts of the metabolic mechanism which interferes with one or more events in metabolismThe etiology of degenerative keratopathies is often multiple and varies with race, heredity, geography, nutrition and other factorsDegenerative keratopathies should be studied along cellular and non-cellular aspects. (Conclusions)

Eye referral without the patient

This report is based on 26 consecutive eye referrals without the patient to the Eye Department of the Philippine General Hospital coming from 16 provinces of the Philippines during a period of one year. They were referred by resident physicians and Chiefs of Provincial Hospitals, municipal and rural health officers and private medical practitioners. These referrals were usually coursed thru the Social Welfare Administration. 77 per cent had no history; 73 per cent had no description of the lesion while 65 per cent had no mention of the vision. With such insufficient data, the consultant ophthalmologist had much difficulty in giving the proper advice. It is therefore suggested that referring physicians should know how to take the minimum vision, light perception, light projection and color perception, and they should include a description of the diseased eye with its size and tension by palpation. A registry of eye physicians available to health workers and an increase in eye beds as well as physicians with training in eye diseases is also advocated. (Summary)

Our ophthalmological heritage

The history, development, and progress of Philippine Ophthalmology is presented. Its merits and weaknesses are discussed and the challenge to its heritage posed

Trasplantation of tissues on the bare sclera in pterygium operations

1. In auto-conjunctival grafts on bare sclera, practically all their structures survive2. In homo-conjunctival transplants, practically all their elements do not survive and are eventually replaced3. In hetero-conjunctival monkey transplants all their elements do not survive and are replaced4. In heterotopic auto-transplants of buccal mucosa, there is partial survival and partial replacement of its elements particularly the vascular5. For practical purposes after pterygium, when the bare sclera is small there is no advantage in covering it with a graft. When large, the first choice biologically is an autograft from the same or opposite eye, although the second and more practical preference would be a buccal mucosa graft. (Conclusions)

Retinoblastoma vaccine

We have prepared a retinoblastoma autolyzed cell vaccine which seems to be the first of its kind. It can be used safely in rabbits and children with retinoblastoma. Its potency is enhanced by adjuvants. Its immunizing potency is demonstrated in rabbits. The direct FA technique pointed to the presence of specific antigen on the surface of the retinoblastoma cell. Its effectivity as an additional therapy in the management of retinoblastoma in man seems promising. The vista of the immunological approach in the treatment of retinoblastoma has cleared and widened by this vaccine. (Conclusion)