Reproductive performance of hair ewes and rams implanted with melatonin previous to the anestrus season in northwest Mexico.

Ovine reproductive behavior depends on annual photoperiodic cycle and its impact on endogenous melatonin secretion. In this regard, exogenous melatonin administration previous to the physiological anestrus period could modify the reproductive performance of sheep in the northwest of Mexico. Two independent studies were performed to evaluate such hypothesis in hair sheep implanted with melatonin prior to the anestrus season in latitudes 24° and 25° of Mexico. Study 1 involved 15 rams assigned to one of three treatments receiving 0mg (n=5), 18mg (n=5), or 36mg (n=5) of melatonin subcutaneously. Study variables were measured monthly since implantation (d0) and included testosterone concentration, scrotal circumference, mass motility, individual motility, and sperm concentration. Study 2 included 50 ewes assigned to one of two treatments receiving 0mg (n=25) or 18mg (n=25) of melatonin subcutaneously. In ewes, progesterone concentration and the frequency of females in anestrus were measured during the implantation (-30d), as well as at the beginning (0d) and at the end (45d) of the mating period, while pregnancy rate was determined by ultrasonography 45d after. Continuous variables were analyzed using a mixed effects model considering treatment, time, and the treatment by time interaction as fixed effects. Animal nested within treatment was the random effect. Binary variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. In males, melatonin improved testosterone and sperm concentrations (P<0.05), while in females, a 28% higher pregnancy rate was observed in implanted ewes (P<0.05). Therefore, melatonin enhanced reproductive parameters in both sexes and its exogenous administration previous to the anestrus season in northwest Mexico could be more effective in rams.

[Meniscal transplant: clinical and functional experience at one year follow-up]. / Trasplante de menisco: experiencia con seguimiento clínico y funcional a un año.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, the first meniscus transplant was performed in 2002. The objective was to describe the clinical evolution of patients with pain associated with postmenisectomy syndrome, who underwent meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), with bony blocks via arthroscopy, with follow-up to one year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with a one-year follow-up was conducted. We included patients with joint interlining pain secondary to partial or total menisectomy, between 15 and 55 years of age, of both sexes, who underwent MAT. The clinical evolution was evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS), SF-36 and Lysholm scale; the results are described in frequencies, percentages and p value was significant at 0.05. RESULTS: We included nine patients; eight men and one woman with an age of 31.3 years (16-52), the follow-up was 16.6 months (12-23). The preoperative VAS was 8.5 (6-10) and, at one year of follow-up, the average of this scale was 1.25 (0-5) (p 0.001). In the follow-up one year after the MAT, the Lysholm scale was on average 91 (68-100) and the SF-36 was on average 79.17 (65-92.92); three patients returned to their sports practice prior to the injury. CONCLUSION: This is the first report in Mexico that describes the one year follow-up of the MAT; significant clinical improvement was demonstrated (p 0.001) with remission of pain in the knee with previous menisectomy and in some cases the return to sports practice.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En México se realizó el primer trasplante de menisco en 2002. El objetivo fue describir la evolución clínica de pacientes con dolor asociado al síndrome postmeniscectomía que fueron sometidos a trasplante de menisco alogénico (MAT), con bloques óseos vía artroscópica con seguimiento a un año. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva con seguimiento a un año; se incluyeron pacientes con dolor en interlínea articular secundario a meniscectomía parcial o total, entre 15 y 55 años de edad, de ambos sexos, que fueron sometidos a MAT. La evolución clínica se evaluó con EVA, SF-36 y escala de Lysholm; los resultados se describen en frecuencias, porcentajes y valor de p significativa 0.05. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron nueve pacientes; ocho hombres y una mujer con edad de 31.3 años (16-52), el seguimiento fue de 16.6 meses (12-23). La EVA prequirúrgica fue de 8.5 (6-10) y al año de seguimiento el promedio de esta escala fue de 1.25 (0-5) (p 0.001). En el seguimiento a un año posterior al MAT, la escala de Lysholm fue en promedio de 91 (68-100) y la SF-36 fue en promedio de 79.17 (65-92.92); tres pacientes regresaron a su práctica deportiva previa a la lesión. CONCLUSIÓN: Éste es el primer reporte en México del seguimiento a un año del MAT; se demostró mejoría clínica significativa (p 0.001) con remisión del dolor en la rodilla con meniscectomía previa y en algunos casos el retorno a la práctica deportiva.

Increase of prostaglandin E2 in the reversal of fetal ductal constriction after polyphenol restriction.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-inflammatory substances that inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and polyphenol-rich foods, can cause constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that reversal of fetal ductal constriction after maternal restriction of polyphenol-rich foods, in the third trimester of pregnancy, is accompanied by increased plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). METHODS: This was a controlled clinical trial of women with singleton pregnancy ≥ 28 weeks undergoing fetal echocardiography. The intervention group included pregnancies with diagnosis of fetal ductal constriction and not exposed to NSAIDs. The control group consisted of third-trimester normal pregnancies. Both groups answered a food frequency questionnaire to assess the amount of total polyphenols in their diet, underwent Doppler echocardiographic examination and had blood samples collected for analysis of plasma levels of PGE2. Intervention group participants received dietary guidance to restrict the intake of polyphenol-rich foods. The assessments were repeated after 2 weeks in both groups. RESULTS: Forty normal pregnancies were assessed in the control group and 35 with fetal ductal constriction in the intervention group. Mean maternal age (26.6 years) and mean body mass index (30.12 kg/m2 ) were similar between the two groups. Intragroup analysis showed that dietary guidance reduced the median consumption of polyphenols (from 1234.82 to 21.03 mg/day, P < 0.001), increasing significantly the plasma concentration of PGE2 (from 1091.80 to 1136.98 pg/mL, P < 0.05) in the intervention group after 2 weeks. In addition, Doppler echocardiography showed reversal of fetal ductal constriction in the intervention group. No significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intervention for maternal restriction of polyphenol-rich foods in the third trimester of pregnancy is accompanied by increase in plasma levels of PGE2 and reversal of fetal ductal constriction. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Reference Equations for Impulse Oscillometric and Respiratory System Model Parameters in Anglo and Hispanic Children / Ecuaciones de referencia para parámetros de oscilometría de impulsos y de modelo del sistema respiratorio en niños anglos e hispanos

Abstract The Impulse Oscillometry System (IOS) has been recognized as a useful diagnostic tool. Previous research by our group has shown that R5 (Resistance at 5 Hz), R5-R20 (frequency dependence of resistance), AX (the "Goldman Triangle") and the extended Resistor-Inductor-Capacitor (eRIC) model-derived parameter Cp (peripheral Compliance) are reliable measures that track respiratory system function. Here we determined the predictive equations from 112 asthmatic and non-asthmatic Anglo and Hispanic children data, that were previously classified into four groups: Normal, PSAI (Probable Small Airway Impairment), SAI (Small Airway Impairment), and Asthma by using regression analysis of IOS and eRIC model parameters as dependent variables regressed against age, height, and weight. Height showed the greatest correlation with IOS and eRIC model parameters and provided the most significant reference values for these measures in Anglo and Hispanic children. These values could serve as a useful framework for diagnosis, early interventions, and treatment of respiratory diseases in this population.

Resumen El Sistema de Oscilometría Impulsos (por sus siglas en Inglés: IOS) ha sido reconocido como una herramienta de diagnóstico útil. Investigaciones previas realizadas por nuestro grupo han demostrado que R5 (Resistencia a 5 Hz), R5-R20 (dependencia a la frecuencia de la resistencia), AX (el "Triángulo de Goldman") y el párametro Cp (Capacitancia periférica) derivado del modelo extendido Resistencia-inductor-condensador (eRIC) son medidas fiables que monitorean la función del sistema respiratorio. El presente estudio determina las ecuaciones de predicción de 112 niños Anglo e Hispanos asmáticos y no asmáticos, que previamente clasificados en cuatro grupos: Normal, PSAI (por su nombre en inglés: Probable daño en las vías aéreas menores), SAI (por su nombre en inglés: Daño en las vías aéreas menores), y Asma. Las ecuaciones de predicción se determinaron mediante análisis de regresión de parámetros del IOS y del modelo eRIC (variables dependientes) contra edad, estatura y peso. La estatura mostró la mejor correlación con los parámetros del IOS y del modelo eRIC, proporcionando los valores de referencia más significativos para estas medidas en niños Anglos e Hispanos. Estos valores podrían servir como un marco de referencia útil para el diagnóstico, intervenciones tempranas, y tratamiento de las enfermedades respiratorias en esta población.

HIV-1 vertical transmission in Rio Grande, Southern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the rate and risk factors of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), the timing of transmission and the transmitted subtype in a population where subtypes B and C co-circulate. One hundred and forty-four babies born to HIV-1-infected mothers were studied. Subtype and timing of transmission were determined by a nested polymerase chain reaction of the gp41 gene. Seven children were infected (4.9%): four were infected intrautero and one intrapartum. The higher frequency of intrautero transmission was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) in the three stages of gestation was a protective risk factor for MTCT (PR = 0.42; CI: 0.21-0.83; P = 0.013). A higher HIV viral load at delivery was the only independent risk factor for MTCT. Early and universal access to ARVs during pregnancy are the most important measures to decrease vertical HIV-1 transmission even in areas where HIV clade distribution differs.

Extension model of lactation curves to evaluate the effect of the recombinant bovine somatotropin on milk yield in Holstein cows / Modelo de extensão de curvas de lactação para avaliar o efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante sobre a produção de leite em vacas Holstein

An extension model of lactation curves was used to determine the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST-r) on milk yield in Holstein dairy cattle. This model use the fitted values obtained by the Wood model, and was tested on the records of 66 cows. The milk yield predicted with the extension model and the observed yield were compared and no significant differences were observed (P>0.05). Once the extension model was validated, the milk yield tests of 199 cows were used. The cows received bST-r 500mg by subcutaneous injections. The injections were applied after 100 days in milk at 14-day intervals (seven injections). The observed milk yield was compared with the yield expected by the extension model. An increase of 5.3 percent was observed in milk yield in response to the bST-r. This increase is lower than that reported in the literature in response to the growth hormone in dairy cattle. It is concluded that extension model used in the present work is reliable for extending the lactation curve in Holstein cows, and the increase in milk yield in response to the application of bST-r, determined in the same animal using the extension model, was lower than that reported by other authors.

Um modelo de extensão de curvas de lactância foi utilizado para determinar o efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante (bST-r) sobre a produção de leite em vacas Holstein. Este modelo, que utiliza os valores ajustados obtidos pelo modelo de Wood, foi testato nos registros de 66 vacas. A produção de leite predita com o modelo de extensão e a produção observada foram comparadas e não se observaram diferenças significativas (P>0,05). Uma vez validado o modelo de extensão, utilizaram-se os controles de produção de leite (de cada 15 dias) de 199 vacas. As vacas receberam injeções de 500mg de bST-r via subcutânea. As injeções fora aplicadas a partir dos 100 dias de lactação a intervalos de 14 dias (sete injeções). A produção de leite observada foi comparada com a produção esperada com o modelo de extensão. Observou-se um incremento de 5,3 por cento na produção de leite em resposta à bST-r. Este incremento foi menor que o relatado na literatura em resposta ao hormônio do crescimento em vacas leiteiras. O modelo de extensão usado é confiável para estender a curva de lactação na vaca Holstein, e o aumento do rendimento de leite em resposta à aplicação de bST-r, determinado no mesmo animal usando o modelo de extensão, foi inferior ao observado por outros autores.

Extension model of lactation curves to evaluate the effect of the recombinant bovine somatotropin on milk yield in Holstein cows / Modelo de extensão de curvas de lactação para avaliar o efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante sobre a produção de leite em vacas Holstein

An extension model of lactation curves was used to determine the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST-r) on milk yield in Holstein dairy cattle. This model use the fitted values obtained by the Wood model, and was tested on the records of 66 cows. The milk yield predicted with the extension model and the observed yield were compared and no significant differences were observed (P>0.05). Once the extension model was validated, the milk yield tests of 199 cows were used. The cows received bST-r 500mg by subcutaneous injections. The injections were applied after 100 days in milk at 14-day intervals (seven injections). The observed milk yield was compared with the yield expected by the extension model. An increase of 5.3 percent was observed in milk yield in response to the bST-r. This increase is lower than that reported in the literature in response to the growth hormone in dairy cattle. It is concluded that extension model used in the present work is reliable for extending the lactation curve in Holstein cows, and the increase in milk yield in response to the application of bST-r, determined in the same animal using the extension model, was lower than that reported by other authors.(AU)

Um modelo de extensão de curvas de lactância foi utilizado para determinar o efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante (bST-r) sobre a produção de leite em vacas Holstein. Este modelo, que utiliza os valores ajustados obtidos pelo modelo de Wood, foi testato nos registros de 66 vacas. A produção de leite predita com o modelo de extensão e a produção observada foram comparadas e não se observaram diferenças significativas (P>0,05). Uma vez validado o modelo de extensão, utilizaram-se os controles de produção de leite (de cada 15 dias) de 199 vacas. As vacas receberam injeções de 500mg de bST-r via subcutânea. As injeções fora aplicadas a partir dos 100 dias de lactação a intervalos de 14 dias (sete injeções). A produção de leite observada foi comparada com a produção esperada com o modelo de extensão. Observou-se um incremento de 5,3 por cento na produção de leite em resposta à bST-r. Este incremento foi menor que o relatado na literatura em resposta ao hormônio do crescimento em vacas leiteiras. O modelo de extensão usado é confiável para estender a curva de lactação na vaca Holstein, e o aumento do rendimento de leite em resposta à aplicação de bST-r, determinado no mesmo animal usando o modelo de extensão, foi inferior ao observado por outros autores.(AU)

Full-Length gene enrichment by using an optimized RNA isolation protocol in Bixa orellana recalcitrant tissues.

A reliable protocol is described for isolation of large full-length cDNA from Bixa orellana mature tissues containing large quantities of pigments, phenols, and polysaccharides. This protocol involves the optimization of a commercial RNA extraction protocol in combination with a long distance reverse transcript PCR protocol. The principal advantages of this protocol are its high RNA yield and quality. The resulting RNA is suitable for RNA expression evaluation and production of large, full-length cDNA. This is the first time RNA has been isolated from all mature tissues in the tropical perennial plant B. orellana and has been proved viable for downstream applications, especially important for molecular biology studies on this economically important pigment-producing plant.

Long and short-term effect of prednisolone in hospitalized infants with acute bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long and short-term effect of prednisolone in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis. METHODOLOGY: A randomized and controlled trial was carried out at the Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil. Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day for 5 days) plus standard care, and 24 patients allocated standard care alone. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of post-bronchiolitis wheezing at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge. The secondary endpoints were: length of hospital stay, duration of oxygen therapy and time to clinical improvement during the hospitalization. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the prednisolone and control group in the prevalence of post-bronchioltis wheezing at 1 month (73.1 vs 83.3%, P = 0.5), 3 months (73.1 vs 79.2%, P = 0.7), 6 months (65.4 vs 66.7%, P = 0.9) and 12 months (50.0 vs 58.3%, P = 0.5) after hospital discharge. No reduction was observed in the prednisolone group, compared with the control group, in terms of length of hospital stay (6.0 vs 5.0 days, P = 0.7), duration of oxygen therapy (24.0 vs 24.0 h, P = 0.4) and time to clinical resolution (4.0 vs 4.0 days, P = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Prednisolone has no significant effect on reducing the prevalence of post-bronchiolitis wheezing and on improving the acute course of illness in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis.

[Trends in hospital admissions for pediatric asthma in childrenduring a period of eighteen years] / A tendência das hospitalizações por crises de asma em crianças em um período de dezoito anos.

OBJECTIVE: To study trends in hospital admissions for acute pediatric asthma in the Hospital da Santa Casa do Rio Grande during the period of 1979 to 1996. METHODS: This is a study of a series of cases. We reviewed all the discharge records of pediatric patients with diagnosis of acute asthma, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis within the period mentioned above. The main variable in this study was the percentage of admissions for acute asthma in relation to the total amount of hospital admissions. The percentages of admissions for bronchiolitis and pneumonia in relation to the total amount of hospital admissions were also calculated as reference values. RESULTS: There were 3,493 admissions for acute asthma in 3,122 patients during the studied period, with an average of 194 admissions per year. The percentage of admissions for acute asthma to total hospital admissions increased from 5,5% to 14,7% between 1983/84 and 1991/92. Half of this increase occurred during the period 1987-1992 in which hospitalizations for bronchiolitis and pneumonia were stable. This percentage decreased from 14,7% to 10,6% in the period of 1991/92 - 1995/96. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant increase in hospital admissions for acute pediatric asthma in the Hospital da Santa Casa do Rio Grande during the period of 1983 - 1992. From then on, hospital admissions for asthma showed downward trends.

Multilocular thymic cysts in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection: clinical and pathologic aspects.

BACKGROUND: Children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have an increased susceptibility to severe and unusual infections, malignancies, and disorders characterized by abnormal lymphoproliferation (e.g., lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis). We report a novel disease entity associated with pediatric HIV infection that is characterized by massive enlargement of the thymus as a result of lymphoid hyperplasia and multicystic changes. METHODS: Eight patients with HIV infection and cystic enlargement of the thymus are subject of this report. The status of their HIV disease and its clinical and radiologic manifestations at the time of diagnosis of the mediastinal mass are described. Tissue specimens were obtained from six patients and examined by microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The specimens were also evaluated for the evidence of HIV and Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Patients were between 2.1 and 12.1 years of age, with CD4+ cell counts between 102 and 733 cells/mm3. In all eight cases an anterior mediastinal mass was discovered incidentally on radiography of the chest, and computed tomography of the chest revealed a multicystic appearance. Histologic examination demonstrated distortion of the thymic architecture by focal cystic changes, lymphoid follicular hyperplasia, diffuse plasmacytosis, and multinucleated giant cells. In situ hybridization revealed HIV particles on the surface of follicular dendritic cells. Further, results of in situ hybridization for EBV were positive in lymphoid cells from biopsy samples of four patients. The patients were followed between 8 months and 4.8 years. In five patients the mass either decreased in size or resolved completely. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a series of children with HIV infection and multilocular thymic cysts. We hypothesize that aberrant immunoregulation in these HIV-infected children leads to follicular hyperplasia and multicystic changes in the thymus, causing massive enlargement. EBV infection might also contribute to the pathogenesis of this process. Because none of our patients had symptoms from the mass, and there was no evidence of malignancy in the examined biopsy samples, it seems prudent to manage such children with careful follow-up examinations.

[Urinary sepsis in children and nursing care]. / Sepsis urinaria en el niño y la atención de enfermería.

A study was carried out with children who had been hospitalized due to urinary sepsis at the Ciro Redondo General Hospital in Artemisa, during the first quarter of 1990. Nursing cares are pointed out. Of the 149 children admitted during that period, 13 (8.64%) had urinary infection. The most affected age group was that under 1 year. The germ most often found was Escherichia coli. Vesicoureteric reflux was found in 2 infants and the most common manifestation was fever.