Air pollution relevance analysis in the bay of Algeciras (Spain).

The aim of this work is to accomplish an in-depth analysis of the air pollution in the two main cities of the Bay of Algeciras (Spain). A large database of air pollutant concentrations and weather measurements were collected using a monitoring network installed throughout the region from the period of 2010-2015. The concentration parameters contain nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10). The analysis was developed in two monitoring stations (Algeciras and La Línea). The higher average concentration values were obtained in Algeciras for NO2 (28.850 µg/m3) and SO2 (11.966 µg/m3), and in La Línea for PM10 (30.745 µg/m3). The analysis shows patterns that coincide with human activity. One of the goals of this work is to develop a useful virtual sensor capable of achieving a more robust monitoring network, which can be used, for instance, in the case of missing data. By means of trends analysis, groups of equivalent stations were determined, implying that the values of one station could be substituted for those in the equivalent station in case of failure (e.g., SO2 weekly trends in Algeciras and Los Barrios show equivalence). On the other hand, a calculation of relative risks was developed showing that relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction produce an increase in the risk of higher pollutant concentrations. Besides, obtained results showed that wind speed and wind direction are the most important variables in the distribution of particles. The results obtained may allow administrations or citizens to support decisions.

An artificial neural network ensemble approach to generate air pollution maps.

The objective of this research is to propose an artificial neural network (ANN) ensemble in order to estimate the hourly NO2 concentration at unsampled locations. Spatial interpolation methods and linear regression models with regularization have been compared to perform the ensemble. The study case is based on the region of the Bay of Algeciras (Spain). This area is very industrialized and presents high concentrations of traffic. Air pollution data has been collected from the monitoring network maintained by the Andalusian Government in the region. On one hand, two totally different methods have been used and compared such as inverse distance weight (IDW) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) in order to generate maps of pollutant concentration values. On the other hand, an ensemble approach has been developed using the outputs of the previous models. The ensemble is based on an ANN with backpropagation learning. An experimental procedure using cross-validation has been applied in order to compare the different models based on several performance indexes (R correlation coefficient, MSE, MAE and d index of fitness) and together to Friedman test and Bonferroni correction. The results reveal that the proposed ensemble approach presents better performance than single models in general terms. A validation procedure has been conducted using a leave-one-out strategy using each monitoring station. IDW method presents an average value of R equals 0.72 and a maximum R equals 0.87, a minimum MSE equals 78.00, a minimum MAE equals 5.841 and a maximum d equals 0.913. LASSO presents an average value of R equals 0.76 and a maximum R equals 0.86, a minimum MSE equals 59.13, a minimum MAE equals 5.490 and a maximum d equals 0.900. Finally, the ANN ensemble shows an average value of R equals 0.77 and a maximum R equals 0.87, a minimum MSE equals 54.05, a minimum MAE equals 4.972 and a maximum d equals 0.915. The main objective has been to produce adequate atmospheric pollutant concentration maps and, therefore, to obtain estimations for locations that are distinct to the monitoring stations. Another objective has been to have in hand a system to produce robust measurements. This kind of system could be useful for missing data imputation and to find out reading errors (i.e. unexpected deviations or calibration problems) in some of the nodes of a network.

eCG concentrations, luteal structures, return to cyclicity, and postabortion fertility in embryo transfer recipient mares.

The present study characterizes the relationship between the levels of eCG, ovarian morphology, resumption of cyclicity, and fertility in postaborted embryo transfer recipient mares. A total of 32 pregnant recipient mares carrying a male fetus were aborted at approximately 65 days of gestation by single transcervical administration of cloprostenol. In addition, 25 gestation age-matched mares were used as nonaborted controls. The concentration of progesterone, but not of eCG, differed significantly between controls and aborted mares 48 hours after abortion. Of treated mares, 84.4% (27 of 32) expelled the fetus within 48 hours of treatment. The eCG concentration and the number of supplementary luteal structures were lower in mares aborted in November (equivalent to May in Northern Hemisphere) than in January. A total of 6.2%, 37.5%, and 56.2% of the mares entered anestrus, ovulated normally, and had 1 to 2 consecutive anovulatory cycles, respectively. The mean interval from abortion to the first ovulation was 28.5 ± 3.3 days (range, 5-65 days). The correlation between the levels of eCG at abortion and the interval to the first ovulation was poor (r = 0.38; P = 0.03). Of aborted mares, 90% (18 of 20) were reused and became pregnant after embryo transfer at a mean of 57.6 ± 4.4 days after abortion (range, 19-103 days) and eCG concentration of 0.9 ± 0.3 IU/mL (range, 0.1-3.6 IU/mL). In conclusion, the levels of eCG at the time of abortion were extremely variable and did not correlate well with the number of luteal structures or the interval from abortion to the first ovulation.

The effect of the interval from PGF treatment to ovulation on embryo recovery and pregnancy rate in the mare.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the interval from induced luteolysis to ovulation on fertility of mares from two different farms. At farm 1, 215 mares were inseminated with frozen/thawed semen during 513 estrous cycles over seven consecutive breeding seasons. Estrus was induced with analogues of PGF2α in 179 cycles. At farm 2, 375 embryo flushings were performed in 65 donor mares inseminated with fresh semen; of which, 327 were performed following artificial insemination after PGF-induced luteolysis. In both farms, the intervals from PGF treatment to ovulation (ITO) data were divided into three interval groups: less than 6 days, 6 to 8 days, and greater than 8 days. A mixed regression model was created to determine the effect of different factors on the pregnancy rate (PR) and embryo recovery rate (ERR). Of all factors analyzed, the ITO was the only one that significantly influenced the PR and ERR (P < 0.05). In farm 1, the PR of mares with an ITO of less than 6 days, 6 to 8 days, and greater than 8 days was 26.6%, 39.4%, and 55.9%, respectively (P = 0.01). The PR for mares inseminated after spontaneous luteolysis (without PGF) was 42.5%. In farm 2, the ERR of donor mares for the same ITO groups was 55.0%, 62.6%, and 73.7%, respectively (P = 0.02). The ERR for mares flushed after a previous spontaneous estrus was 75.0%. In conclusion, the ITO had a significant effect on the PR and ERR in the mare. Fertility was reduced as the ITO became shorter.

Lunar cycles at mating do not influence sex ratio at birth in horses.

It is scientifically demonstrated that lunar cycles have important effects on several biological events. Controversy exists about the lunar influence on human and animal parturition. In addition, in the horse industry, especially in Polo Horse breeders of Argentina and around the world there is a higher demand for female offspring than for males. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a significant association between the lunar phase at the time of mating and the sex ratio at birth in horses. The Argentinean Stud Book provided information related to all matings registered for Thoroughbred and Arab horses between 2003 and 2011. Statistical associations were tested between dates of matings at different lunar phases or days and sex ratio at birth. A total of 65.535 gestations were studied. Overall, sex ratio at birth resulted in 33.396 fillies (50.96%) and 32.139 colts (49.04%). The percentages of males and females at birth were not statistically different amongst the different lunar phases or days. We can strongly conclude that managing the breeding dates in relation to lunar cycles in order to manipulate the sex ratio of the offspring is not a viable option in horses.

Inhibition of cytotoxicity of Shiga toxin of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on vero cells by Prosopis alba Griseb (Fabaceae) and Ziziphus mistol Griseb (Rhamnaceae) extracts.

The capacity of Prosopis alba Griseb. and Ziziphus mistol Griseb. fruit extracts to inhibit the toxic action of Shiga toxin (Stx) was investigated. Purification of Stx from Escherichia coli O157:H7 was performed by saline precipitation and affinity chromatography using a column with globotriaosylceramide, while the fruits were subjected to ethanolic or aqueous extractions. The protective action of both fruits was determined by pre-, co-, and postincubation of one 50% cytotoxic dose per ml of Stx with different concentrations of ethanolic and aqueous extracts in confluent monolayers of Vero cells for 72 h at 37°C (5% CO2). The inhibition of the cytotoxic effect of Stx by fruit extracts was determined by the neutral red vital staining technique. The extraction of the polyphenols and flavonoids was effective, and more polyphenols per milligram of dissolved solids were obtained from P. alba than from Z. mistol. However, there were more flavonoids in Z. mistol than in P. alba. Components of both fruits increased the viability of cells treated with Stx when the extracts were preincubated with Stx for 1 h before being applied to the cell cultures, with the ethanolic extract of P. alba showing 95% cell viability at a concentration of 2.45 mg/ml. The extracts were less effective in protecting cells when Stx, extracts, and cells were coincubated together without a previous incubation of Stx; only the concentrations of 19.46 mg/ml for the P. alba aqueous extract and 3.75 mg/ml for the Z. mistol ethanolic extract resulted in the inhibition of cytotoxicity, with 52 and 56% cell viability occurring, respectively. Investigation into this difference in the protection of cells indicated that the protein molecule of Stx suffered degradation to advanced oxidative protein products during preincubation with extracts, principally with P. alba, which exhibited a greater amount of nonflavonoid polyphenols than Z. mistol. The prooxidant action on Stx favored the cells and enhanced the protective action of both fruits.

Response of Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype B to genotypes of pepper Capsicum annuum (Solanales: Solanaceae).

Bemisia tabaci Genn. biotype B is a widely distributed plant pest that represents one of the major constraints for horticultural crop production. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the oviposition preference, survivorship, and development of B. tabaci biotype B on semi-cultivated genotypes of Capsicum annuum from southeast Mexico. In free-choice experiments to evaluate the oviposition preference, lower number of eggs laid by B. tabaci biotype B was observed in the genotypes Maax and Xcat´ik relative to that in the commercial genotype Parado. Egg hatchability was significantly lower in Pico Paloma, Bolita, Blanco, Chawa, Payaso, and Xcat´ik than in the rest of the genotypes, including the commercial genotype Jalapeño. Likewise, survivorship of nymphs was significantly lower in Pico Paloma, Bolita, and Blanco than in the remaining genotypes. Nymph developmental time and the period of development from egg to adult were the shortest in Amaxito. Therefore, sources of resistance to B. tabaci biotype B by antibiosis (accumulation of plant defense compounds) might be found in the semi-cultivated genotypes Pico Paloma, Bolita, and Blanco.

Esclerostomía protegida con implante Ex-PRESS ® / Ex-PRESS ® implant protected sclerostomy

No disponible

Algoritmo que identifica la dificultad en el retorno al domicilio del hemipléjico agudo / Decision algorithm that identifies delay in discharge of stroke patients

Introducción. El retorno al domicilio del paciente que ha sufrido un accidente cerebrovascular agudo (ACVA) es fundamental para el alta hospitalaria y su integración en la sociedad. Se establece un algoritmo que permita identificar a los pacientes con ACVA que sufrirán demora en la reinserción al domicilio al alta. Material y métodos. Se procede a un estudio retrospectivo en 214 hemipléjicos que ingresan en el Servicio de Rehabilitación (SMFR) de un Hospital General. Se recogen 17 variables clínicas y sociodemográficas al ingreso en rehabilitación (a los 14 días de media desde el ictus) y se relacionan con la demora en la vuelta a su domicilio (DRD). Material y métodos. Mediante análisis de regresión logística múltiple, se calcula la fórmula del modelo de predicción y se confecciona un árbol de probabilidades de DRD. Resultados. La probabilidad de DRD está determinada por tres variables: FIM inicial (menor o mayor a 50 puntos), edad (mayor o menor a 75 años) y soledad (vivir solo o no previamente al ACVA). La combinación de estas variables permite confeccionar un algoritmo con ocho grupos de diferente probabilidad de DRD, entre el 3,6 y el 79,6%. Tiene una especificidad del 89%, sensibilidad del 40% y valor de predicción del 76%. Conclusiones. Se ha construido un algoritmo para decidir a priori la probabilidad de DRD utilizando las tres variables de mayor capacidad de predicción: capacidad funcional al ingreso (por Functional Independence Measure [FIM]), edad y la circunstancia de vivir en soledad. Este algoritmo incluye ocho grupos diferentes de probabilidad de DRD(AU)

Introduction. The return home of patients who have suffered an acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA) is fundamental if they are to be discharged from hospital and integrated into society. Our aim is to design an algorithm that can identify those patients with ACVA who will undergo a delay in discharge to their home. Patients and method. A total of 214 hemiplegic patients admitted to the Rehabilitation Service (SMRF) of the General Hospital were retrospectively studied. On admittance (a mean of 14 days after the stroke), 17 clinical and sociodemographic variables were collected and their relationship with delay in the return home (DRD) was studied. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the formula of the prediction model and the probability tree for presenting DRD was drawn up. Results. Likelihood of DRD is determined by three variables: initial functional independence measurement (FIM) (above or below 50 points), age (older or younger than 75) and living alone (whether or not the patient lived alone before the ACVA). The combination of these variables makes it possible to construct an algorithm with eight different likelihood groups of DRD, between 3.6 and 79.6%. It has an 89% specificity, 40% sensitivity and 76% prediction value. Conclusions. An algorithm has been constructed to make a priori decisions about the probability of DRD. It uses the three variables with the greatest prediction ability: functional capacity on admittance (FIM), age and whether or not the patient lived alone. The algorithm considers eight different groups of DRD likelihood(AU)

Rehabilitación del ictus: modelo asistencial. Recomendaciones de la Sociedad Española de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física, 2009 / Stroke rehabilitation: Care model. Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2009

Objetivos: La Sociedad Española de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación elabora un documento de recomendaciones de buena práctica clínica sobre el modelo asistencial en la rehabilitación (RHB) del ictus basadas en la experiencia clínica y el consenso de los autores y las guías de práctica clínica de referencia. Estrategia de búsqueda: La búsqueda se centra en guías de práctica clínica y artículos relevantes sobre el modelo asistencial en la RHB del ictus en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Embase y Cochrane Databases desde enero de 2004 hasta enero de 2009.Selección de estudios: Se seleccionan ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, metaanálisis, revisiones sistemáticas y artículos de revisión sobre el modelo asistencial en la RHB del ictus. Síntesis de resultados: El programa rehabilitador del ictus es un proceso complejo que requiere un abordaje multidisciplinario, siendo elementos claves el inicio precoz, la intensidad adecuada, la evaluación periódica y la participación activa de pacientes y cuidadores. Conclusiones: En todos los niveles de atención sanitaria y sociosanitaria, hospitalaria o comunitaria se debe asegurar la atención de RHB a cargo de un equipo multidisciplinario, coordinada por un médico especialista en RHB con adecuados niveles de organización y experiencia de los profesionales (AU)

Objectives: The Spanish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has elaborated a document of good clinical practice recommendations on the care model in stroke rehabilitation based on the clinical experience and consensus of the authors and reference clinical practice guides. Search strategy: The search was focused on clinical practice guides and articles related with the care model in stroke rehabilitation in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE DATABASES from January 2004 to January 2009.Selection of studies Randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and review articles on the care model in stroke rehabilitation were selected. Synthesis of results: The stroke rehabilitation program is a complex procedure that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Its key elements are early initiation, adequate intensity, periodic evaluation and active participation of the patients and caregivers. Conclusions: Rehabilitation care under the responsibility of a multidisciplinary team, coordinated by a medical specialist in rehabilitation with adequate levels of organization and experience of the professionals should be assured on all health a and socio-health care, hospital or community levels (AU)

[Trunk control test: early predictor of gait balance and capacity at 6 months of the stroke]. / Test de control de tronco: predictor precoz del equilibrio y capacidad de marcha a los 6 meses del ictus.

INTRODUCTION: It has been challenging to establish a prognostic tool in the acute period following stroke to predict gait outcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between trunk control and other early functional prognostic measures with equilibrium and the capacity to ambulate at six months following acute stroke. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with stoke admitted consecutively to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation unit were followed prospectively. At one and two weeks following admission, the following data were collected: sex, age, type of stroke, urinary incontinence, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Trunk Control Test (TCT). At six months following acute stroke, balance was assessed with the Berg Balance score, baropodometry, and computerized posturography as well as gait capacity (measured as velocity and gait ability and limits) RESULTS: This study found a significant correlation between age, sex, urinary incontinence, TCT and NIHSS at one and two weeks from onset of stroke and the results of equilibrium and gait capacity at six months (p<0.05). When the TCT is <37 in the second week following acute stroke, the Berg Balance score was found to be lower, and with worse gait characteristics (<0.001). The TCT score in the second week is predictive of the achieving functional gait at the six month endpoint (area beneath the curve 0.920). CONCLUSIONS: The TCT is a simple and quick test which may be considered as an early prognostic indicator for functional motor endpoints in the patient with stroke.

Test de control de tronco: predictorprecoz del equilibrio y capacidadde marcha a los 6 meses del ictus / Trunk control test: early predictor of gait balance and capacity at 6 months of the stroke

Introducción. Es un reto difícil establecer en las fases inicialesun pronóstico de capacidad de marcha tras sufrir un ictus. El objetivode este estudio es determinar la relación del control de tronco yotros factores de pronóstico funcional evaluados precozmente con elequilibrio y la capacidad de marcha a los 6 meses.Métodos. Se estudian prospectivamente 68 pacientes consecutivosingresados en nuestro servicio de medicina física y rehabilitación. Ala semana y a las 2 semanas del ictus se recogen los siguientes datos:sexo, edad, tipo de ictus, incontinencia urinaria, NIHSS (National Institutesof Health Stroke Scale) y el test de control de tronco (TCT). A los 6meses del ictus se mide el equilibrio (escala de Berg, baropodometría yposturografía computarizada), así como la capacidad de marcha (velocidad,grado de autonomía y ámbito).Resultados. Existe una relación significativa de la edad, sexo, incontinenciaurinaria, TCT y NIHSS a la semana y a las 2 semanas del ictuscon el equilibrio y capacidad de marcha a los 6 meses (p<0,05).Cuando el TCT es <37 en la segunda semana del ictus, a los 6 meses elvalor de Berg es menor, y la autonomía y ámbito de marcha peor(<0,001). El TCT de la segunda semana del ictus es un predictor de conseguirmarcha funcional a los 6 meses (area bajo la curva ROC 0,920).Conclusiones. El TCT es un test sencillo y rápido que puede considerarsecomo un factor pronóstico precoz de función motora finalen el ictus (AU)

Introduction. It has been challenging to establish a prognostictool in the acute period following stroke to predict gaitoutcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationshipbetween trunk control and other early functional prognosticmeasures with equilibrium and the capacity to ambulate atsix months following acute stroke.Methods. Sixty-eight patients with stoke admitted consecutivelyto the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation unit were followedprospectively. At one and two weeks following admission,the following data were collected: sex, age, type of stroke, urinaryincontinence, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) and the Trunk Control Test (TCT). At six months followingacute stroke, balance was assessed with the Berg Balancescore, baropodometry, and computerized posturography as wellas gait capacity (measured as velocity and gait ability and limits)Results. This study found a significant correlation betweenage, sex, urinary incontinence, TCT and NIHSS at one and twoweeks from onset of stroke and the results of equilibrium andgait capacity at six months (p<0.05). When the TCT is <37 in thesecond week following acute stroke, the Berg Balance score wasfound to be lower, and with worse gait characteristics (< 0.001).The TCT score in the second week is predictive of the achievingfunctional gait at the six month endpoint (area beneath the curve0.920).Conclusions. The TCT is a simple and quick test which maybe considered as an early prognostic indicator for functional motorendpoints in the patient with stroke (AU)

Detection of a SERK-like gene in coconut and analysis of its expression during the formation of embryogenic callus and somatic embryos.

Somatic embryogenesis involves different molecular events including differential gene expression and various signal transduction pathways. One of the genes identified in early somatic embryogenesis is S OMATIC E MBRYOGENESIS R ECEPTOR-like K INASE (SERK). Cocos nucifera (L.) is one of the most recalcitrant species for in vitro regeneration, achieved so far only through somatic embryogenesis, although just a few embryos could be obtained from a single explant. In order to increase efficiency of this process we need to understand it better. Therefore, the purpose of the present work was to determine if an ortholog of the SERK gene is present in the coconut genome, isolate it and analyze its expression during somatic embryogenesis. The results showed the occurrence of a SERK ortholog referred to as CnSERK. Predicted sequence analysis showed that CnSERK encodes a SERK protein with the domains reported in the SERK proteins in other species. These domains consist of a signal peptide, a leucine zipper domain, five LRR, the Serine-Proline-Proline domain, which is a distinctive domain of the SERK proteins, a single transmembrane domain, the kinase domain with 11 subdomains and the C terminal region. Analysis of its expression showed that it could be detected in embryogenic tissues before embryo development could be observed. In contrast it was not detected or at lower levels in non-embryogenic tissues, thus suggesting that CnSERK expression is associated with induction of somatic embryogenesis and that it could be a potential marker of cells competent to form somatic embryos in coconut tissues cultured in vitro.

A model for predicting delay in discharge of stroke patients.

AIMS: To study the factors that predict delay in discharge (DD) for stroke victims when they are admitted to hospital and to build a model for predicting DD in our hospital. METHOD: A retrospective study of 214 stroke victims admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) of a general hospital between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2001. Seventeen clinical and sociodemographic data were studied to determine which factors were predictors of DD: age, sex, type of stroke, side affected, sphincter control, ability to communicate, level of consciousness, deep sensitivity, antecedents of cardiovascular risk, delay before admission to the PMRS, initial functional state and solitude, whether the patient was employed prior to the cerebrovascular accident, and whether the patient's place of residence had any exterior architectural barriers. RESULTS: A total of 26.6% of patients experienced DD. Factors influencing DD were solitude (odds ratio [OR] 6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-16.1), an initial functional independence measure (FIM) below 50 (OR 4.5; 95% CI 2.3-8.9) and age greater than 75 years (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.2-6.1). The best model for predicting DD comprises seven variables: solitude, initial FIM below 50, older than 75 years, left hemiparesis, exterior architectonic barriers at home, cardiovascular antecedents and sex (male). This model has a specificity of 89% and a sensitivity of 40%. CONCLUSION: Solitude, low initial FIM and age older than 75 years influence DD for patients with stroke admitted to hospital. A model for predicting DD is described.

Eficiencia y efectividad del tratamiento rehabilitador en el hemipléjico. Estudio evolutivo / Efficiency and effectiveness in rehabilitating treatment of the hemiplegic subject. Evolutive study

Introducción. El análisis de la eficiencia del tratamiento rehabilitador del accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) tiene especial importancia por tratarse de un proceso invalidante que requiere tratamientos prolongados y cuyo resultado no depende sólo de las características propias de la lesión sufrida, sino también de la estructura disponible, que condiciona el tipo e intensidad del tratamiento de rehabilitación. Objetivo. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir y analizar los resultados y la eficiencia del tratamiento rehabilitador del hemipléjico durante la fase aguda en régimen hospitalario durante el período 1999 a 2001 y compararlos con los del período 1994-1998.Pacientes y método. Se realizó el estudio prospectivo de una cohorte de casos consecutivos de pacientes que sufrieron un accidente cerebrovascular entre el 1 de enero de 1999 y el 31 de diciembre de 2001 y fueron ingresados en el servicio de rehabilitación de nuestro hospital. La situación funcional se midió con la Medida de Independencia Funcional (MIF) al ingreso y al alta. La eficiencia se consideró como el cociente entre ganancia y estancia. Se construyó el patrón de resultados y la matriz de eficiencia de Stineman. Se compararon la eficiencia, el patrón de resultados y la matriz de eficiencia de este período (1999 a 2001) con el de 1994 a 1998.Resultados. La efectividad media obtenida en el trienio 1999-2001 es más alta que en el período 1994 a 1998 (36,6 frente a 32,3), sin diferencia estadística. La eficiencia del período 1999-2001 fue de 1,7, sin diferencias entre los años, pero con diferencias respecto al quinquenio anterior (1,7 frente a 1,2; intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento [IC 95 por ciento], 0,1-1,0; p = 0,017), ya que la estancia para el tratamiento rehabilitador descendió de 39,1 a 31,9 días. El patrón de resultados no experimentó diferencias en su distribución entre ambos períodos ni tampoco se han observado cambios en la distribución de los pacientes según la matriz de eficiencia entre los períodos 1999-2001 y el 1994-1998.Conclusiones. El presente estudio demuestra la clara tendencia de nuestro servicio a disminuir la estancia, manteniendo sin embargo los mismos valores de ganancia de MIF, y consiguiendo una mayor eficacia (AU)

Effect of homologous preovulatory follicular fluid on in vitro maturation of equine cumulus-oocyte complexes.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that incubating equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in medium containing 50% or 100% homologous preovulatory follicular fluid would improve cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation. Oocytes were incubated in one of three media: 1) supplemented TCM-199 (control), 2) 50% (v/v) follicular fluid in control medium or 3) 100% follicular fluid. Cumulus expansion was evaluated subjectively, and nuclear maturation was evaluated by staining oocytes with Hoechst 33258. The hypothesis that incubating COCs in medium containing follicular fluid would improve cumulus expansion was supported. More (P < 0.05) compact COCs incubated in 50% or 100% follicular fluid developed a moderately to completely expanded cumulus after 24 and 36 h of incubation and more (P < 0.05) expanded COCs incubated in 100% follicular fluid developed a moderately to completely expanded cumulus after 36 h of incubation compared to control medium. The hypothesis that incubating COCs in medium containing follicular fluid would improve nuclear maturation was not supported. Although more (P < 0.05) compact COCs incubated in 50% follicular fluid reached polar body-stage compared to those in control medium, the nuclear maturation rate in the control medium was lower than it was when the same medium was used in a preliminary experiment (described in main text); therefore, the apparent superiority of 50% follicular fluid must be interpreted cautiously. Based on these results, future studies are warranted to further address the value of adding preovulatory follicular fluid to equine IVM culture systems.