Looking beyond the Shoal: Fish Welfare as an Individual Attribute.

Welfare is an individual attribute. In general, providing captive nonhuman animals with conditions conducive to good welfare is an idea more easily applied when dealing with few individuals. However, this becomes much harder-if not impossible-under farming conditions that may imply high numbers of animals living in large group sizes. Although this is a problem inherent to intensive animal farming, it is possibly best exemplified in fish farming, for these practices often rely on extremely high numbers. In this paper we review evidence supporting the notion that fishes are individuals and fish welfare should thus also be considered at the individual level, examine the current state of welfare assessment in the aquaculture industry, evaluate these practices in light of individualized terrestrial animal welfare assessment methods, and make recommendations regarding research that could lead to a better understanding of how to provide each individual fish with good welfare in captivity.

From Land to Water: Taking Fish Welfare Seriously.

This article aims to use contemporary (terrestrial) animal welfare science as a lens to evaluate the state of knowledge concerning welfare in fish species, focusing on farmed fishes. We take advantage of the vast expertise-including previous pitfalls and accomplishments-in the investigation of welfare in terrestrial vertebrates, borrowing questions and methodologies from terrestrial animal welfare science in order to (1) better understand the challenges and opportunities in the study of welfare in fish species, and (2) propose strategies for filling knowledge gaps.

Public Health Surveillance: Electronic Reporting as a Point of Reference.

Federal, state, and local laws shape the use of health information for public health purposes, such as the mandated collection of data through electronic disease reporting systems. Health professionals can leverage these data to better anticipate and plan for the needs of communities, which is seen in the use of electronic case reporting.

Implicaciones médico legales del quimerismo / Medicolegal implications of chimerstry

Los recientes avances en tecnologías biomédicas proporcionan herramientas a la Medicina Legal para el esclarecimiento de casos complejos y ejercer justicia basada en evidencia científica. ¿Pero qué ocurre cuando se imponen obstáculos como el quimerismo que podrían llevar a decisiones equivocadas? A pesar de que este fenómeno se creía casi inexistente, se han reportado interesantes casos, que han puesto a prueba la utilidad de las pruebas de ADN. El quimerismo se define como la presencia de líneas celulares con distinto material genético proveniente de diferentes orígenes en un único cuerpo. Esto tiene grandes implicaciones medico legales, principalmente en la investigación criminal. Por ejemplo en una escena de crimen, se pueden encontrar muestras de tejidos de un mismo individuo pero estas podrían tener ADN distinto si se trata de un individuo quimérico llevando a una mala interpretación de la información. También cabe resaltar las implicaciones del quimerismo en las pruebas de paternidad, ya que este fenómeno puede ocasionar falsos negativos en estas pruebas y por lo tanto un diagnóstico incierto de paternidad. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir las diferentes implicaciones médico legales del quimerismo y proponer posibles soluciones a los conflictos que podrían presentarse ante tales casos.

Recent advances in biomedical technologies are able to clarify today’s complex cases that are faced by Legal Medicine; allowing this branch of medicine to exercise justice based in scientific evidence. But what happens when an obstacle such as chimerism is present and may lead to false decisions? Although this phenomenon was thought to be inexistent, interesting cases have been reported. Chimerism is defined as the presence of different cell linings in a unique organism. This phenomenon has important implication in Legal Medicine, especially in criminal investigation. For example, in a crime scene the samples gathered may present different DNA and lead to misinterpretation of the information. On the other hand, paternity tests are also implicated in the presence of a chimera since it may originate a false negative result. The purpose of this review is to describe different Legal Medicine’s implications linked to chimerism and propose possible solutions to the conflicts that may arouse from a case of a chimera.

Preclinical testing of Peruvian anti-bothropic anti-venom against Bothrops andianus snake venom.

Bothrops andianus is a venomous snake found in the area of Machu Picchu (Peru). Its venom is not included in the antigenic pool used for production of the Peruvian anti-bothropic anti-venom. B. andianus venom can elicit many biological effects such as hemorrhage, hemolysis, proteolytic activity and lethality. The Peruvian anti-bothropic anti-venom displays consistent cross-reactivity with B. andianus venom, by ELISA and Western Blotting and is also effective in neutralizing the venom's toxic activities.

Valores de úrea y creatinina sérica en añujes (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) de un zoológico de Lima / Serum values of urea and creatinine in agoutis (dasyprocta fuliginosa) raised in a zoo in Lima

El objetivo del presente estudio fue hallar los valores séricos de úrea y creatinina en añujes (Dasyprocta fuliginosa ) saludables criados en un zoológico de Lima. Se colectaron muestras de sangre de 23 añujes. El suero se separó por centrifugación y los valores de úrea y creatinina sérica se determinaron mediante métodos colorimétricos con kits comerciales. El valor promedio de úrea fue de 11.47 ± 1.72 mg/dl y de creatinina de 2.41 ± 1.06 mg/dl. No se encontró diferencia estadística entre sexos ni edades.

The aim of the study was to establish values for urea and creatinine in serum from 23 healthy Black Agouti ( Dasyprocta fuliginosa ) kept in captivity in a Zoo in Lima. The sera were harvested after centrifugation and levels of urea and creatinine determined by colorimetric methods using diagnostic commercial kits. The mean value of urea was 11.47± 1.72 mg/dl and for creatinine was 2.41 ± 1.06 mg/dl. None statistical difference was found due to sex or age.

Valores hematológicos referenciales en añujes (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) mantenidos en cautiverio / Referential haematological values in agoutis (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) kept in captivity

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar los valores hematológicos del añuje (Dasyprocta fuliginosa ) criado en cautiverio en el Zoológico Patronato Parque Las Leyendas (PATPAL). Se utilizaron 23 animales (11 machos y 12 hembras; 13 juveniles y 10 adultos). Los animales fueron anestesiados con una combinación de Ketamina (10 mg/kg peso vivo) y Xilacina (1 mg/kg peso vivo) i.m. El análisis hematológico incluyó hemoglobina (Hb), hematocrito (Ht), contaje de eritrocitos y leucocitos, Volumen Corpuscular Medio (VGM), Concentración de Hemoglobina Corpuscular Media (CHGM) y Hemoglobina Corpuscular Media (HCM), y el diferencial de leucocitos. Los resultados fueron: 6.17 x 10/µl eritrocitos, 5,739 x 10/µl leucocitos, 40.4% Ht, 12.42 g/dl Hb, 66.56 fl VGM, 20.56 pg HCM, 30.88 g/dl CHGM; y 67.1% neutrófilos, 29.6% linfocitos, 2.39% eosinófilos, 0.26% monocitos y 0.56% abastonados. Los valores encontrados son similares a otros valores reportados en la literatura.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the haematologic values of agoutis (Dasyprocta fuliginosa ) bred in captivity at the Patronato Parque Las Leyendas zoo (PATPAL). Twenty three animals were used (11 males and 12 females; 13 juvenile and 10 adults). They were anesthetized with a combination of Ketamine (10 mg/kg BW) and Xilacine (1 mg/kg BW) i.m. The haemathological analysis included haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), count of erythrocytes (RBC) and leucocytes (WBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and the leukocyte differential. The obtained values were: 6.17 x 10/µl RBC, 5,739 x 10/µl WBC, 40.4% Ht, 12.42 g/dl Hb, 66.56 fl MCV, 20.56 pg MCH, 30.88 g/dl MCHC; and 67.1% neutrophils, 29.6% lymphocytes, 2.39% eosinophils, 0.26% monocytes and 0.56% band neutrophils. The encountered values were similar to those reported in the literature.

Perfil bioquímico sanguíneo hepático en coatíes (Nasua nasua) criados en cautiverio / Blood biochemical hepatic profile in the coati (Nasua nasua) reared in captivity

The objective of this study was to establish reference serum values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin (total and direct), alkaline phosphatase, total proteins and albumin in captive South American coati (Nasua nasua). A total of 19 coatis (11 males and 8 females) from two zoo parks in the area of Lima, Peru were blood sampled. The coatis were chemically restrained using ketamine clorhidrate (10 mg/kg body weight) and xilacine clorhidrate (1 mg/kg body weight) via IM. Blood samples (4 ml) were collected through femoral vein puncture using vacutainer tubes without anticoagulant. The blood chemistry values obtained were ALT: 94.0 ± 48.5 UI/L, AST: 124.7 ± 49.4 UI/L, total bilirubin: 0.72 ± 0.55 mg/dl, direct bilirubin: 0.19 ± 0.21 mg/dl, indirect bilirubin: 0.52 ± 0.52 mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase: 46.8 ± 26.4 UI/L, total proteins: 8.0 ± 1.1 g/dl, and albumin: 3.9 ± 0.5 g/dl.

Puntos anatómicos de referencia para la craneotomía en cerdos / Reference anatomical structures to perform a craniotomy in the pig

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar los puntos anatómicos de referencia para realizar la craneotomía en cerdos. Se utilizaron 44 cabezas de porcinos (machos = 2, hembras = 22, machos castrados = 20) entre 23 y 89 kg de peso vivo de la línea Landrace Pietrain y criollos. Los cuatro puntos anatómicos utilizados fueron P1: localizado a una distancia "a" del punto medio de la protuberancia occipital externa (PO) hacia oral, P2: localizado a una distancia "b" del punto medio de la PO hacia oral, P3 y P4: equidistantes, a una distancia "c" al punto de intersección formado por las línea imaginaria entre las apófisis supraorbitarias (AS) y la línea media entre los huesos frontales (LmhF). Se utilizó una fresa de perforación de 11 mm para ingresar a P1 y P2; y la pieza de mano para P3 y P4. Las variables analizadas fueron la longitudes entre el punto medio de PO hasta la punta de la nariz, entre las AS, entre el punto medio de la protuberancia occipital externa hasta el inicio del seno frontal (P2), la profundidad de P1, entre P1 y P3-P4, P2 y P3-P4. No hubo diferencia significativa entre machos castrados y hembras. Se recomienda cuatro puntos anatómicos de referencia para la craneotomía en cerdos: P1, machos castrados y hembras a una distancia de 2.98 y 2.73 cm de PO; P2, machos castrados y hembras a una distancia de 7.51, 37.72 cm de PO, repectivamente; y P3 y P4 a 3.8 cm de la intersección de la línea imaginaria entre la AS y la LmhF.

The objective of this study was to determine the anatomic reference points to perform a craniotomy in pigs. Forty four heads of Landrace, Pietrain, and creole pigs of 22-89 kg of body weight (males = 2, females = 22, castrated males = 20) were used. The four anatomic points under evaluation were P1: at a distance "a" from the external occipital protuberance (OP) to cranial; P2: at a distance "b" from the OP point to cranial; P3 and P4: equidistant, at a distance "c" to intersection point formed by imaginaries lines between supraorbitary apophysis (SA) and the frontal bones half line (LmhF). A 11 mm perforation drilling (cutting) was used in order to enter inside P1 and P2, and a hand piece was used for P3 and P4. The variables under evaluation were the length between the OP to the end of the nose, between both AS, P1 depth, between P1 and P3-P4, P2 and P3-P4. No statistical difference between castrated males and females was found. It is recommended four anatomic reference points to perform a craniotomy in the pig: P1 in females and castrated males was at 2.73 and 2.98 cm from OP respectively; P2 in females and castrated males was 7.72 and 7.51 cm respectively; and P3 and P4 at 3.8 cm from the intersection point formed by imaginaries lines between SA and the LmhF.

Consumer response to a report card comparing healthcare systems.

OBJECTIVE: Report cards to date have focused on quality of care in health plans rather than within healthcare delivery systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate consumer response to the first healthcare system-level report card. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative assessment of consumer response. METHODS: We conducted 5 focus groups of community members to evaluate consumer response to the report card; 2 included community club members, 3 included community-dwelling retired persons. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed; comments were categorized by topic area from the script, and common themes identified. RESULTS: Focus group participants, in general, were unaware of the current emphasis on medical quality improvement initiatives. However, they believed that the opinion that the descriptive clinic information and patient survey data contained in the report card would be most useful mainly for choosing a healthcare system if they were dissatisfied with current medical care, if their healthcare options changed, or if they were in poor health. Personal experience was considered a more trustworthy measure of healthcare quality than were patient survey results. Trustworthiness was perceived to be higher if the report card sponsor was not affiliated with the healthcare systems being evaluated. Participants also believed care system administrators should use the data to enact positive clinic-level and physician-level changes. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare consumers appreciated the attention to patient experiences and supported healthcare quality improvement initiatives. Report cards were considered important for choosing a healthcare system in certain circumstances and for guiding quality improvement efforts at all levels.

Los motores de fondo en la perforacion de pozos petroleros

Contenido: Cap.1 Introduccion Cap.2 Desarrollo de las tecnicas de perforacion.Definiciones.Fuerzas necesarias para desintegrar la roca.Etapa actual de desarrollo de los motores de fondo.Progresos realizados en los metodos de destruccion directa de la roca Cap.3 Motores de desplazamiento positivo.Introduccion.Motores espirales o helicoidales.Parametros del helimotor o motor espiral.Caracteristicas de construccion Cap.4 Accesorios y herramientas.Introduccion.Accesorios superficiales.Accesorios de fondo.Herramientas: Trepanos, sacatestigos y fresadores.Pesca Cap.5 Logistica y mantenimiento.Definicion.Logistica.Mantenimiento y control en servicio.Reacondicionamiento de un motor de fondo Cap.6 Operacion con motores de fondo.Consideraciones generales.Fluido de perforacion.Seleccion del trepano y normas de perforacion.Criterios de optimizacion del costo de perforacion con un motor de fondo.Procedimiento de seleccion de un motor de fondo.Optimizacion general Cap.7 Aplicaciones especificos de los motores de fondo.Perforacion direccional.Perforacion desde una plataforma flotante.Flexoperforacion.Perforacion en la industria minera.Obras publicas.Pozos de gran diametro Cap.8 Proyecciones al futuro.Posibilidades y limites..Cap.9 Analisis de un caso real en Bolivia.Pozo Carahuatarenda-X1 CHD-X1.Antecedentes.Secuencia estratigrafica atravesada.Estado subsuperficial del pozo.Presentacion del problema.Programa de perforacion con un motor de fondo del tipo de desplazamiento positivo.Criterios economicos Cap.10 Conclusiones y recomendaciones.