Ram semen quality after supplementation with gelatin, agar or alginate prior to cooling storage.

Adding gelling agents to convert the liquid state of the semen extender to a solid state allows for an increased sperm life span. Gelatin and alginate have been used to study the effects of gelling agents on sperm quality. However, there are other gelling agents that have not been studied, such as agar. In addition, studying different sources of gelling agents or the effect of mixing more than one gelling agent with semen extenders on sperm fertility has received little attention. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding agar and a mixture of gelling agents from different sources to semen extender on ram sperm traits and fertility. The first trial evaluated the effect of the addition of 2.5-3 mg mL-1 of gelatin mixed with 0.5-20 mg mL-1 of agar or alginate to ram semen extender on sperm (motility, progressive motility, live/dead, membrane integrity) and semen (pH) characteristics. The response variables were evaluated 1, 72 and 144 h after storage at 4°C. In the second trial, two sources (feed grade and bacteriological) of gelatin and agar were evaluated on the response variables as in Trial 1. In trial 3, a total of 34 ewes were inseminated with doses supplemented (n = 17) with or without (n = 17) agar and gelatin. The pregnancy rate was diagnosed 40 days after insemination. In general, adding agar and gelatin improves (p < .05) sperm motility, membrane integrity and the ratio of live sperm after 144 h of storage compared to the Control group, regardless of the source (bacteriological or feed grade). However, the pregnancy rate in ewes was not influenced (p ≥ .05) by semen doses stored with agar and gelatin. In conclusion, the addition of agar and gelatin preserves ram sperm motility and membrane integrity after 144 of storage at 4°C without affecting the pregnancy rate in inseminated ewes.

Mexican Creole chickens: effect of data collection periods on goodness-of-fit and parameter precision of growth models.

The objective of this study was to estimate the good-of-fitness and precision of parameters of the Gompertz-Laird, Logistic, Richards, and Von Bertalanffy growth models, using different data collection periods (DCP). Two hundred and sixty-two Mexican Creole chicks (116 females and 146 males), were individually weighed to form the following sets of data for each sex: DCP1 (weights recorded weekly from hatching to 63 d, and every 2 wk, from 63 to 133 d of age), DCP2 (weights recorded weekly from hatching to 133 d of age), DCP3 (weights recorded every third day, from hatching to 63 d, and every 14 d, from 63 to 133 d of age), and DCP4 (weights recorded every third day, from hatching to 63 d, and weekly, from 63 to 133 d of age). Data were analyzed using the NLIN procedure of SAS (Marquardt algorithm). For all growth models, the width of confidence interval (CI) of each parameter, was estimated (α = 0.05). The adjusted coefficient of determination (AR2), as well as the Akaike (AIC) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC) were used to select the best model. The higher the AR2, and the lower the width of CI, as well as the AIC and BIC values, the better the model. The Gompertz-Laird model, more frequently showed the highest AR2, and the lowest AIC and BIC values compared to the other models. Moreover, for all models, both sexes and all parameters, most confidence interval widths (all with the Gompertz-Laird model) were the lowest with DCP3 when compared to the other sets of data. In conclusion, the Gompertz-Laird model was the best provided that the chickens are weighed every third day from hatching until 63 d of age, and every 2 wk thereafter.

Tendencias de actuación de los cirujanos de columna respecto a la osteoporosis / Trends and attitudes of spine surgeons regarding osteoporosis

Antecedentes y objetivos: Con cada vez mayor frecuencia neurocirujanos y otros especialistas nos vemos afrontados al tratamiento de pacientes con osteoporosis que requieren una cirugía de fusión de columna. Pese a existir tratamientos farmacológicos efectivos e innovaciones en las técnicas quirúrgicas que pueden beneficiar a estos pacientes, se han reportado tasas bajas de diagnóstico y tratamiento preoperatorio de osteoporosis, además de una escasa participación de los cirujanos de columna en este ámbito. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las tendencias en el diagnóstico y tratamiento respecto a la osteoporosis en los cirujanos de raquis de la comunidad neuroquirúrgica. Material y métodos: Se realizó una encuesta electrónica con 10 preguntas de opción múltiple a los miembros de la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía (SENEC). Se valoraron: 1) papel del cirujano de columna frente a la osteoporosis en la artrodesis de raquis, 2) la influencia de osteoporosis en la seudoartrosis y 3) tendencias de tratamiento respecto a las fracturas vertebrales osteoporóticas. Resultados: Obtuvimos un total de 77 cuestionarios respondidos. En los pacientes con sospecha de osteoporosis, un 32,5% de los encuestados no se plantea ninguna medida para diagnosticarla antes de una artrodesis vertebral. En osteoporóticos sin tratamiento, un 37,7% procedería con la cirugía sin tratamiento o lo haría después de la cirugía. El 48% de los respondedores optaría por modificar su estrategia quirúrgica en los pacientes con osteoporosis. La técnica quirúrgica preferida fue la colocación de tornillos cementados (70%). En la seudoartrosis, el 46,1% no considera necesario el diagnóstico de osteoporosis para una reintervención. En las fracturas vertebrales osteoporóticas, el 80,5% de los cirujanos se plantea alguna medida que facilitara el tratamiento de la osteoporosis. Conclusiones: Una mayor participación del cirujano de columna mejoraría el diagnóstico y tratamiento preoperatorio de la osteoporosis en las cirugías de artrodesis vertebral y seudoartrosis. En las fracturas vertebrales existe una mejor concienciación para optimizar el tratamiento y el seguimiento de la osteoporosis

Background and objectives: Neurosurgeons and other specialists are increasingly having to treat patients with osteoporosis who require spinal fusion surgery. Although there are effective pharmacological treatments and innovations in surgical techniques that can benefit these patients, low rates of diagnosis and preoperative treatment of osteoporosis have been reported, in addition to the limited participation of spine surgeons in this area. The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis with regard to spine surgeons of the neurosurgical community. Material and methods: An electronic survey with 10 multiple-choice questions was issued to Spanish Neurosurgery Society (SENEC) members. The following were evaluated: 1) the surgeon's role regarding osteoporosis in spinal arthrodesis, 2) the influence of osteoporosis in pseudarthrosis, and 3) treatment trends in relation to osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Results: A total of 77 completed questionnaires were obtained. In patients with suspected osteoporosis, 32.5% of respondents did not consider any measure to diagnose it before spinal arthrodesis. In osteoporosis without treatment, 37.7% would proceed with surgery without treatment or would do so after surgery. A total of 48% of respondents would choose to modify their surgical strategy in patients with osteoporosis. The preferred surgical technique was the placement of augmentation screws (70%). In pseudarthrosis, 46.1% did not consider an osteoporosis diagnosis to be necessary for a reoperation. In osteoporotic vertebral fractures, 80.5% of surgeons considered some measure that would facilitate the treatment of osteoporosis. Conclusions: Greater participation of the spine surgeon could improve the diagnosis and preoperative treatment of osteoporosis in spinal arthrodesis surgery and pseudarthrosis. In vertebral fractures, there is greater awareness of the optimisation of treatment and monitoring of osteoporosis

Trends and attitudes of spine surgeons regarding osteoporosis. / Tendencias de actuación de los cirujanos de columna respecto a la osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neurosurgeons and other specialists are increasingly having to treat patients with osteoporosis who require spinal fusion surgery. Although there are effective pharmacological treatments and innovations in surgical techniques that can benefit these patients, low rates of diagnosis and preoperative treatment of osteoporosis have been reported, in addition to the limited participation of spine surgeons in this area. The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis with regard to spine surgeons of the neurosurgical community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic survey with 10 multiple-choice questions was issued to Spanish Neurosurgery Society (SENEC) members. The following were evaluated: 1) the surgeon's role regarding osteoporosis in spinal arthrodesis, 2) the influence of osteoporosis in pseudarthrosis, and 3) treatment trends in relation to osteoporotic vertebral fractures. RESULTS: A total of 77 completed questionnaires were obtained. In patients with suspected osteoporosis, 32.5% of respondents did not consider any measure to diagnose it before spinal arthrodesis. In osteoporosis without treatment, 37.7% would proceed with surgery without treatment or would do so after surgery. A total of 48% of respondents would choose to modify their surgical strategy in patients with osteoporosis. The preferred surgical technique was the placement of augmentation screws (70%). In pseudarthrosis, 46.1% did not consider an osteoporosis diagnosis to be necessary for a reoperation. In osteoporotic vertebral fractures, 80.5% of surgeons considered some measure that would facilitate the treatment of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Greater participation of the spine surgeon could improve the diagnosis and preoperative treatment of osteoporosis in spinal arthrodesis surgery and pseudarthrosis. In vertebral fractures, there is greater awareness of the optimisation of treatment and monitoring of osteoporosis.

A Rare Case of Negative-Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Plausible Explanation and the Role of Transmantle Theory.

BACKGROUND: Negative-pressure hydrocephalus is a rare condition with the development of symptomatic hydrocephalus despite subnormal intracranial pressure (ICP). The etiology remains unclear. Some authors proposed that the differential pressure between the ventricular space and the subarachnoid space over cerebral convexity leads to the development of ventriculomegaly, namely as the transmantle pressure theory. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 49-year-old patient with a left Sylvian fissure arachnoid cyst underwent several surgeries including cystoperitoneal shunts and fenestrations of the cyst. The patient developed a cerebrospinal fluid fistula from the cranial wound was complicated by bacterial meningitis. Consequently, the shunt was removed, and external cyst drainage was placed. After 9 days, the patient developed acute hydrocephalus requiring external ventricular drainage (EVD). Two days later, after overdrainage of the external cyst drain, the patient suffered neurologic deterioration. The ICP measured by the EVD was -4 cm H2O, and a computed tomography scan demonstrated progression of the hydrocephalus. The external cyst drainage was shut off and the EVD level was adjusted to produce between 5 and 10 mL/hour of cerebrospinal fluid under a subatmospheric pressure set at -5 cm H2O, and gradually raised in increments of 1 cm every 3 days until a positive ICP occurred. Once clinical and radiographic stability was accomplished, a programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted set to 30 mm H2O. A marked clinical and radiologic improvement was observed in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This negative-pressure hydrocephalus case report supports the main role of the transmantle pressure theory. The subatmospheric EVD method and a low-pressure valve resulted in excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Association between genetic evaluation and show-ring judging for dairy and beef cattle / Asociación entre la evaluación genética y el juzgamiento en pista de bovinos lecheros y de carne / Associação entre a avaliação genética e a aparência externa na pista de julgamento de bovinos de leite e de corte

Background: a concern for breeders is whether an animal ranking based on genetic evaluations is similar to that obtained from show-ring judging. Objective: to determine the association between rankings for Braunvieh (BR) and Brown Swiss (BS) cattle of Mexico based on show-ring judging and their respective expected progeny differences (EPDs) or predicted transmitted abilities (PTAs). Methods: ranking values from judging were transformed using the rankit transformation. For each breed, Pearson correlation analyses were performed between the transformed rank values of the animals obtained from judging at the show-ring and their EPD or PTA values. Results: using the complete databases, in both breeds the correlation coefficient estimates were low (<0.18) but different from zero (p<0.05). The correlation coefficient considering PTAs for milk yield in BS was slightly higher than those obtained for any EPD for growth traits in BR. Correlations in adult animals (0.18 to 0.23) were different from zero (p<0.05) and higher than those of young animals or calves, while those within males or females were similar. Correlations within years of judging in the show-ring were variable and did not indicate any specific trend. Conclusions: show-ring rank results are associated with genetic evaluation of animals, although the magnitude is low. Selection of breeding animals based on show-ring judgment could be used as a complementary tool to genetic evaluation.

Antecedentes: una preocupación de los criadores es si la jerarquización de los animales basada en evaluaciones genéticas es similar a la del juzgamiento en la pista. Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre la jerarquización de animales con base en el juzgamiento en pista y sus respectivas diferencias esperadas en la progenie (EPDs) o habilidades de transmisión predicha (PTAs), para animales Pardo Suizo Europeo (BR) y Americano (BS) de México. Métodos: los valores jerárquicos del juzgamiento fueron transformados usando la transformación rankit. Para cada raza, análisis de correlación de Pearson fueron realizados entre los valores jerárquicos transformados de los animales obtenidos del juzgamiento en la pista y sus valores de EPD o PTA. Resultados: usando las bases de datos completas, en ambas razas los coeficientes de correlación estimados fueron bajos (<0,18) y diferentes de cero (p<0,05). El coeficiente de correlación considerando las PTAs para producción de leche en BS fue ligeramente mayor que los obtenidos con cualquier EPD de las características de crecimiento en BR. Las correlaciones en animales adultos (0,18 a 0,23) fueron diferentes de cero (p<0,05) y mayores que las de animales jóvenes o becerros; mientras que para hembras y machos fueron similares. Correlaciones por año de juzgamiento en pista fueron variables y sin tendencia específica. Conclusiones: la jerarquización de animales usando los resultados de juzgamiento en la pista y las evaluaciones genéticas están asociadas pero en baja magnitud. La selección de animales con base en su juzgamiento en pista puede usarse como herramienta complementaria a la evaluación genética.

Antecedentes: uma preocupação dos criadores é se a classificação dos animais baseada em avaliações genéticas é similar na pista de julgamento. Objetivo: determinar a associação entre a classificação de animais baseada no julgamento em pista e suas respectivas diferenças esperadas na progênie (EDPs) o habilidades de transmissão preditas (PTAs), para as animais Braunvieh (BR) e Brown Swiss (BS) do México. Métodos: os valores de classificação dos animais durante o julgamento foram transformados por meio da metodologia rankit. Para cada raça, análises de correlação de Pearson foram realizadas entre os valores de classificação transformados obtidos pela avaliação na pista de julgamento e seus valores de EPD o PTA. Resultados: usando a base de dados completa, em ambas as raças os coeficientes de correlação foram baixos (<0,18) e diferentes de zero (p<0,05). O coeficiente de correlação considerando as PTAs para produção de leite na BS foi ligeiramente maior que os obtidos com qualquer EPD das características de crescimento na BR. Correlações em animais adultos (0,18 a 0,23) foram diferentes de zero (p<0,05) e mais elevadas do que aquelas de animais jovens ou bezerros; enquanto que para as fêmeas e os machos foram semelhantes. Correlações por anos na pista de julgamento foram variáveis e sem tendência específica. Conclusões: a classificação de animais usando os resultados na pista de julgamento e as avaliações genéticas estão associadas, mas em baixa magnitude. A seleção de animais baseada nos resultados na pista de julgamento pode usar-se apenas como ferramenta complementar à avaliação genética.

Molecular alterations of parotid saliva in infantile chronic recurrent parotitis.

Infantile chronic recurrent parotitis (ICRP) is an insidious disease whose etiopathogenesis remains an enigma. Alterations in the physical appearance of parotid saliva from ICRP patients have been frequently reported. However, sialochemical studies in regard to ICRP are very rare. The aim of this study was to determine whether saliva of ICRP patients presents major physicochemical and biochemical alterations compared with saliva from paired healthy controls. Parotid, whole, and submandibular/sublingual saliva was collected at an asymptomatic stage from 33 ICRP patients (5-16 y old, both sexes) and from 33 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Saliva was analyzed for protein concentration, mode of protein diffusion on cellulose membranes, unidimensional sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profiles and zymographic profiles of metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Parotid saliva of ICRP patients showed an increased protein concentration, altered mode of protein diffusion, a higher frequency of polypeptide bands of 43, 37, 33, 29, 26, 16, and 10 kD, higher asymmetry in the polypeptide profiles of both contralateral parotid saliva, and an increase in the frequency of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Parotid saliva of patients with ICRP is molecularly altered with respect to normal saliva. Some of the molecular differences could be related to the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Socioeconomic determinants of inequality and self-reported morbidity among adolescents in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: Studies about health inequalities among adolescents have been conducted principally in developed countries. Although adolescents represent 15% of the Mexican population, no studies are available in this specific age group on health inequalities. In this study, we assess differences in the perception of morbidity severity among adolescent students, as well as their association with selected socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study (base-line of a longitudinal study of adolescent's health) in 1999. Participants were Mexican adolescents (n=12769) aged 12-19 years, attending to public schools selected through of multistage sampling method. We measured the health status through a self-reported morbidity in 2 weeks time. We included several socioeconomic indicators and for statistical analysis we used the multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported health problems was 32%. Women had 23% increased odds for reporting health problems. Age was positively associated to frequency and severity of health problems; also, there was a positive association with the mother's occupation, one-parent homes, and not owning an automobile. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity reporting rates are higher than expected in this population. Moderate reporting levels are found among social groups, especially when health problems were perceived as moderately severe, suggesting the importance of socioeconomic factors as determinants. Further studies should conducted using different kinds of health indicators in this age group.