The effect of divergent selection for intramuscular fat on the domestic rabbit genome.

An experiment of divergent selection for intramuscular fat was carried out at Universitat Politècnica de València. The high response of selection in intramuscular fat content, after nine generations of selection, and a multidimensional scaling analysis showed a high degree of genomic differentiation between the two divergent populations. Therefore, local genomic differences could link genomic regions, encompassing selective sweeps, to the trait used as selection criterion. In this sense, the aim of this study was to identify genomic regions related to intramuscular fat through three methods for detection of selection signatures and to generate a list of candidate genes. The methods implemented in this study were Wright's fixation index, cross population composite likelihood ratio and cross population - extended haplotype homozygosity. Genomic data came from the 9th generation of the two populations divergently selected, 237 from Low line and 240 from High line. A high single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) density array, Affymetrix Axiom OrcunSNP Array (around 200k SNPs), was used for genotyping samples. Several genomic regions distributed along rabbit chromosomes (OCU) were identified as signatures of selection (SNPs having a value above cut-off of 1%) within each method. In contrast, 8 genomic regions, harbouring 80 SNPs (OCU1, OCU3, OCU6, OCU7, OCU16 and OCU17), were identified by at least 2 methods and none by the 3 methods. In general, our results suggest that intramuscular fat selection influenced multiple genomic regions which can be a consequence of either only selection effect or the combined effect of selection and genetic drift. In addition, 73 genes were retrieved from the 8 selection signatures. After functional and enrichment analyses, the main genes into the selection signatures linked to energy, fatty acids, carbohydrates and lipid metabolic processes were ACER2, PLIN2, DENND4C, RPS6, RRAGA (OCU1), ST8SIA6, VIM (OCU16), RORA, GANC and PLA2G4B (OCU17). This genomic scan is the first study using rabbits from a divergent selection experiment. Our results pointed out a large polygenic component of the intramuscular fat content. Besides, promising positional candidate genes would be analysed in further studies in order to bear out their contributions to this trait and their feasible implications for rabbit breeding programmes.

Simple analytical model for the magnetophoretic separation of superparamagnetic dispersions in a uniform magnetic gradient.

Magnetophoresis--the motion of magnetic particles under applied magnetic gradient--is a process of great interest in novel applications of magnetic nanoparticles and colloids. In general, there are two main different types of magnetophoresis processes: cooperative magnetophoresis (a fast process enhanced by particle-particle interactions) and noncooperative magnetophoresis (driven by the motion of individual particles in magnetic fields). In the case of noncooperative magnetophoresis, we have obtained a simple analytical solution which allows the prediction of the magnetophoresis kinetics from particle characterization data (size and magnetization). Our comparison with new experimental results shows good quantitative agreement. In addition, we show the existence of a universal curve onto which all experimental results should collapse after proper rescaling. The range of applicability of the analytical solution is discussed in light of the predictions of a magnetic aggregation model [Soft Matter 7, 2336 (2011)].

Retroperitoneal cystic mature teratoma as the presenting clinical scenario of testicular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of retroperitoneal mature teratoma presenting as metastasis of a testicular mixed germ cell tumor in a thirty year old man who had lumbar and abdominal pain and mass sensation in the left hemiabdomen. METHODS: Abdominal ultrasound and thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT multidetector scan were performed, and then after a Doppler ultrasound study of the testicles. Surgical treatment was performed: orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lesion resection. RESULTS: Imaging studies showed a big cystic lesion in the left retroperitoneal space, 13 × 12 × 11 cm, well defined, with thin septa, displacing the kidney; and a solid-cystic 4 cm left testicular tumor, with multiple septa, solid poles and arterial flows with low resistances. Thoracic extension study did not show any finding. The histopathologic results of the orchiectomy and retroperitoneal resection pieces were, respectively, testicular mixed germ cell tumor (seminoma, with intratubular seminoma foci and teratoma) and mature cystic teratoma. CONCLUSIONS: Germ cell tumors derive from multipotencial cells with a large capacity of differentiation, and the nodal paraaortic chains are a natural way of dissemination of these neoplasms. Because of that, in the presence of a retroperitoneal lesion in a young patient we have to rule out testicular tumor metastasis. The retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma must be considered as a lesion with malignant potential.

Teratoma quístico maduro retroperitoneal como primera manifestación de carcinoma testicular. Estudio radiológico / Retroperitoneal cystic mature teratoma as the presenting clinical scenario of testicular carcinoma. Radiological study

OBJETIVO: Describir un caso de teratoma maduro retroperitoneal como metástasis de un tumor mixto de células germinales testicular en un paciente de 30 años que debutó con dolor lumbar, abdominal y sensación de masa en hemiabdomen izquierdo.MÉTODOS: Se realizó ecografía abdominal, TC multidetector tóraco-abdomino-pélvico, y ante los hallazgos apreciados ecografía-doppler testicular. Se practicó orquiectomía y resección de la lesión retroperitoneal. RESULTADOS: En las pruebas de imagen se apreció a nivel retroperitoneal izquierdo una gran lesión quística de 13x12x11 cm de diámetro, bien delimitada, con finos septos, que desplazaba el riñón; y una masa testicular de 4 cm, sólido-quística, multiseptada, con polos sólidos y flujos vasculares arteriales de baja resistencia. El estudio de extensión torácico no mostró hallazgos. Los resultados anatomopatológicos de las piezas de orquiectomía y de la lesión retroperitoneal fueron respectivamente: tumor mixto de células germinales (seminoma, con focos de seminoma intratubular y teratoma), y teratoma quístico maduro.CONCLUSIONES: Debido a que los tumores de células germinales derivan de células multipotenciales con gran capacidad de diferenciación y que las cadenas ganglionares paraaórticas constituyen una vía de diseminación natural de estas neoplasias, la presencia de una lesión retroperitoneal en un paciente joven, aún sin signos radiológicos de malignidad (en nuestro caso quística) obliga a descartar metástasis de tumor testicular. El teratoma maduro retroperitoneal postpuberal debe considerarse una lesión con potencial maligno(AU)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of retroperitoneal mature teratoma presenting as metastasis of a testicular mixed germ cell tumor in a thirty year old man who had lumbar and abdominal pain and mass sensation in the left hemiabdomen.METHODS: Abdominal ultrasound and thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT multidetector scan were performed, and then after a Doppler ultrasound study of the testicles. Surgical treatment was performed: orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lesion resection.RESULTS: Imaging studies showed a big cystic lesion in the left retroperitoneal space, 13 x 12 x 11 cm, well defined, with thin septa, displacing the kidney; and a solid-cystic 4 cm left testicular tumor, with multiple septa, solid poles and arterial flows with low resistances. Thoracic extension study did not show any finding. The histopathologic results of the orchiectomy and retroperitoneal resection pieces were, respectively, testicular mixed germ cell tumor (seminoma, with intratubular seminoma foci and teratoma) and mature cystic teratoma.CONCLUSIONS: Germ cell tumors derive from multipotencial cells with a large capacity of differentiation, and the nodal paraaortic chains are a natural way of dissemination of these neoplasms. Because of that, in the presence of a retroperitoneal lesion in a young patient we have to rule out testicular tumor metastasis. The retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma must be considered as a lesion with malignant potential(AU)

Urachal adenocarcinoma with late brain metastases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of urachal adenocarcinoma with late brain metastases in a sixty one year old man who presented abdominal discomfort and hematuria during six months. METHODS: The clinical suspicion was bladder tumor and diagnostic studies were performed (urinary cytology, cystoscopy, abdominal ultrasound and abdominopelvic CT scan). Surgical treatment was performed. RESULTS: Negative urinary cytology. Cystoscopy showed a lesion with infiltration of the bladder dome. Ultrasound and CT scan showed a five centimeter rounded lesion, with intermediate density, internal echoes and calcifications on the anterior supravesical middle line, that infiltrated the bladder. The extension study had not findings. Partial cystectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed. The histopathologic diagnosis was mucin-secreting urachal adenocarcinoma. After five years without disease the patient suffered lung and brain metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Urachal adenocarcinoma is a tumor which must be distinguished of primary bladder adeno-carcinoma. The mucing-secreting adenocarcinoma can be associated with calcifications that can be demostrated on imaging studies. Late metastases without signs of local recurrence (after five years without disease) are an infrequent clinical-pathologic finding.

The ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae, Ixodidae) of Paraguay.

The ticks reported in Paraguay, which are here reviewed, can be categorized as 'endemic or established' (Argas persicus or a sibling species, Ornithodoros hasei, O. rostratus, O. rudis, O. talaje/O. puertoricensis, Amblyomma aureolatum, Am. auricularium, Am. brasiliense, Am. cajennense, Am. calcaratum, Am. coelebs, Am. dissimile, Am. dubitatum, Am. incisum, Am. longirostre, Am. nodosum, Am. ovale, Am. pacae, Am. parvum, Am. pseudoconcolor, Am. rotundatum, Am. scutatum, Am. tigrinum, Am. triste, Dermacentor nitens, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, H. leporispalustris, Ixodes loricatus, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Rh. sanguineus), 'probably endemic or established' (Ar. miniatus, Ar. monachus, Am. argentinae, Am. humerale, Am. naponense, Am. oblongoguttatum, Am. pseudoparvum, I. aragaoi/I. pararicinus, I. auritulus, I. luciae), or 'erroneously reported from Paraguay' (O. coriaceus, Am. americanum and Am. maculatum). Most Paraguayan tick collections have been made in the Chaco phyto-geographical domain, in the central part of the country. Argas persicus or a related species, Am. cajennense, D. nitens, Rh. microplus and Rh. sanguineus are important parasites of domestic animals. Ornithodoros rudis, Am. aureolatum, Am. brasiliense, Am. cajennense, Am. coelebs, Am. incisum, Am. ovale and Am. tigrinum have all been collected from humans. In terms of public health, the collections of Am. cajennense and Am. triste from humans may be particularly significant, as these species are potential vectors of Rickettsia rickettsii and Ri. parkeri, respectively.

European policy on biodegradable waste: a management perspective.

The main characteristics of the European environmental policy are reviewed. Focusing on EU policy on waste, the paper presents the principles on which EU waste management is founded, particularly the waste hierarchy. In this hierarchy, priority shall be given to prevention of the generation of wastes and of its hazardousness. Secondly, the reuse and the recovery of materials (recycling), which implies the separation of waste at source involving consumers in the scheme of waste management. Priority should be given to material recycling over energy recovery. The less desirable option is the disposal of waste. The paper reviews specific directives on organic waste management, following the scheme of the waste hierarchy, together with the general trends observed in producing common regulations for all types of organic residuals. Afterwards, key issues and measures for the implementation of a feasible strategy for organic residuals management, e.g. quality requirements and quality assurance, are discussed. Finally, there is a view from a manager's perspective on the current EU policy, public acceptance and suitable waste management operations.

Feasibility study prior to the certification of trace elements in urban and industrial wastewater reference materials.

Reliable results for the determination of trace elements in urban and industrial wastewaters are of paramount importance for both checking the performance of sewage treatment and for detecting possible urban or industrial contamination sources. The quality control of measurements should in principle rely on external tools such as certified reference materials (CRM), which should represent, as closely as possible, the matrix of samples currently analysed, e.g., in the frame of environmental monitoring. To date, however, no CRM representatives of wastewater composition are available, which limits the possibility for control laboratories to check their QC externally. To fill this gap, the European Commission's Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme (formerly BCR) has started a European collaborative project of which the aim is to test the feasibility of preparation of wastewater reference materials and the analytical state-of-the-art to enable the certification of trace elements in such matrices. This paper presents the results of the first phase of this project, namely the feasibility study and the results of an interlaboratory trial.

Toxoplasmosis crónica intrauterina / Chronic intrauterine toxoplasmosis

Se estudian 100 muestras de placentas (de embarazos a término), y membranas y restos ovulares de mujeres con el fin de reconocer formas evolutivas de Toxoplasma gondii. Todas las muestras procedieron de madres con presunción clínica de ser pasibles de una toxoplasmosis intrauterina. Los materiales fueron estudiados en la siguiente forma: extendidos coloreados con Wright y Giemsa; e inoculación intraperitoneal en lauchas. La recuperación del parásito fue en un 92% de los casos. No se cotejaron estos datos con los hallazgos serológicos obtenidos en las pacientes durante el embarazo. Los autores resaltam la importância de la toxoplasmosis crónica intrauterina como factor etiológico de complicaciones del embarazo en relación con la infección aguda adquirida durante la gestación, y destacan además la existencia de una forma esquizogónica de reproducción del parásito a nivel de las vellosidades coriales

Toxoplasmosis crónica intrauterina / Chronic intrauterine toxoplasmosis

Se estudian 100 muestras de placentas (de embarazos a término), y membranas y restos ovulares de mujeres con el fin de reconocer formas evolutivas de Toxoplasma gondii. Todas las muestras procedieron de madres con presunción clínica de ser pasibles de una toxoplasmosis intrauterina. Los materiales fueron estudiados en la siguiente forma: extendidos coloreados con Wright y Giemsa; e inoculación intraperitoneal en lauchas. La recuperación del parásito fue en un 92% de los casos. No se cotejaron estos datos con los hallazgos serológicos obtenidos en las pacientes durante el embarazo. Los autores resaltam la importÔncia de la toxoplasmosis crónica intrauterina como factor etiológico de complicaciones del embarazo en relación con la infección aguda adquirida durante la gestación, y destacan además la existencia de una forma esquizogónica de reproducción del parásito a nivel de las vellosidades coriales (AU)