Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanotubes Obtained by Anodic Oxidation for Biomedical Applications-In Vitro Studies.

To improve the biocompatibility and bioactivity of biodegradable iron-based materials, nanostructured surfaces formed by metal oxides offer a promising strategy for surface functionalization. To explore this potential, iron oxide nanotubes were synthesized on pure iron (Fe) using an anodic oxidation process (50 V-30 min, using an ethylene glycol solution containing 0.3% NH4F and 3% H2O, at a speed of 100 rpm). A nanotube layer composed mainly of α-Fe2O3 with diameters between 60 and 70 nm was obtained. The effect of the Fe-oxide nanotube layer on cell viability and morphology was evaluated by in vitro studies using a human osteosarcoma cell line (SaOs-2 cells). The results showed that the presence of this layer did not harm the viability or morphology of the cells. Furthermore, cells cultured on anodized surfaces showed higher metabolic activity than those on non-anodized surfaces. This research suggests that growing a layer of Fe oxide nanotubes on pure Fe is a promising method for functionalizing and improving the cytocompatibility of iron substrates. This opens up new opportunities for biomedical applications, including the development of cardiovascular stents or osteosynthesis implants.

A milk-line sampling system to detect foodborne pathogens: A field case investigation from the United States and Argentina.

The objective of this short communication was to discuss two field case investigations to determine the usefulness of a milk-line sampling device to detect bacteria either coming from a group of cows suffering from mastitis or from the milking line potentially contaminated with environmental bacteria. In Case 1, the in-line sampling device was able to detect certain segments of the milk-line contaminated with environmental bacteria, but not coming from the cows. In Case 2, 19 out of 25 pooled in-line samples were in agreement with at least one of the individual sampled cows shedding either Staphylococcus or Streptococcus spp. or both, which accounted for 76% accordance between both methods. The in-line system, although not perfect, provided a reliable method to detect individual cows shedding mastitis-causing organisms. In conclusion, the milk-line sampling device system was able to help identify foodborne pathogens. Regular monitoring of the microbial quality of milk through a milk-line sampling device is recommended for groups of cows within the dairy herd to detect potential mastitis-causing microorganisms. Furthermore, the sampling device was an effective tool to screen the efficacy of cleaning and disinfecting mechanisms of the milk lines to identify and control potential foodborne pathogens that are collected in the bulk tank.

Preference of veterinarians to select an udder health programme for milk producers.

BACKGROUND: This investigation was carried out to gain more insight about the preference of veterinarians on the implementation of an udder health programme (UHP) in a dairy farm. METHODS: A choice experiment was designed to elicit the preferences of the participants. The study population consisted of 36 veterinarians from Argentina specialised on milk quality. The choice experiment offered several UHPs, which were combinations of some of the interventions included in the so-called five-point plan. To reduce bias among the participants, the UHPs offered were unlabelled and considered two farm contexts: one was on a pasture system and the other was on a dry-lot with pasture access system. The basic criteria (the so-called attribute) to describe veterinarians' preferences for each UHP proposed were efficacy on clinical mastitis (CM) and bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) reduction, cost and technical support. The data collected were analysed using conjoint analysis. RESULTS: UHP cost and UHP efficacy on BMSCC and CM had a significant influence on veterinarians' ranking decisions under both dairy production contexts. The efficacy on CM was the most important attribute to prefer a particular UHP, while technical assistance was the least important attribute considered. The attributes related to efficacy on both BMSCC and CM explained over 60 per cent of the total importance of all attributes. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first research in South America focused on studying veterinarians' preferences to suggest a UHP. The cost and efficacy attributes were the veterinarians' top priority attributes to decide the best UHP.

Modification of the Ti15Mo alloy surface through TiO2 nanotube growth-an in vitro study.

In this study, ordered and uniform TiO2 nanotubular structures were obtained on the surface of the Ti15Mo alloy by anodic oxidation. The amorphous state of TiO2 nanotubes formed under different anodization conditions was investigated. Crystallization of TiO2 into anatase phase occurs during annealing at temperatures of around 400°C, whereas anatase to rutile transformation starts around 500°C and is completed at 800°C. Phase transformations in annealed samples led to morphological changes of tubular nanostructures, suggesting that the oxide layer formed at the nanotube/substrate interface serves as nucleation sites for more stable phases of TiO2. The proliferation of fibroblasts cells under annealing conditions of 450°C, and of untreated samples (control group), was evaluated after 1, 4, and 7 days in cell culture using fluorescence microscopy images. A gradual increase in the number and size of cells was observed, indicating a non-toxic alloy. There was also better surface coverage on anodized samples compared with the untreated group; as well as increased development of the cytoskeleton in samples after anodization. The results of this study showed that the growth of TiO2 nanotubular structures associated with annealing allow better cell adhesion on the Ti15Mo alloy surface.

Identificación de especies de Mycoplasma y de Ureaplasma diversum en rodeos lecheros de Argentina / Identification of species of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma diversum from Argentinian dairy herds

Varias especies de Mycoplasma y Ureaplasma diversum pueden causar enfermedades en el ganado bovino lechero, asociadas o no a manifestaciones clínicas. En nuestro país, ha sido detectada la presencia de solo tres especies de este grupo hasta el momento: Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma californicum y Mycoplasma canadense. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar otras especies de la familia Mycoplasmataceae. Se estudiaron treinta y cinco aislamientos compatibles con Mycoplasma spp. obtenidos a partir de diferentes muestras de bovinos, con o sin sintomatología clínica, provenientes de ocho rodeos ubicados en las provincias de Santa Fe, Córdoba, Buenos Aires y San Luis. Mediante el uso de reacciones en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) específicas de especie se identificaron Mycoplasma bovigenitalum, Mycoplasma alkalescens, Mycoplasma bovirhinis y U. diversum, y mediante la amplificación y posterior secuenciación del espacio intergénico 16-23S ARNr se identificaron Mycoplasma arginini y M. californicum. La identificación de estas especies por primera vez en nuestro país es un hecho de Argentina relevancia, que representa un importante avance en el conocimiento para incluir estos patógenos en el diagnóstico diferencial de determinadas entidades clínico-patológicas de los bovinos de Argentina.

Several species of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma diversum can cause diseases in dairy cattle, which can be associated or not with clinical manifestations. In our country, the presence of Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma californicum and Mycoplasma canadense has been detected, being the only mycoplasma species identified so far. The objective of this study was to identify other species of the Mycoplasmataceae family. Thirty-five Mycoplasma spp.-like isolates obtained from different samples from cattle, with or without clinical symptoms, from eight herds located in the provinces of Santa Fe, Cordoba, Buenos Aires and San Luis were utilized in the present study. Through the use of species-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCR) Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma alkalescens, Mycoplasma bovirhinis and U. diversum were identified and through amplification and further sequencing of the 16-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions, Mycoplasma arginine and M. californicum were identified. The identification of these species represents an important advance in knowledge in order to include these pathogens in the differential diagnosis of certain clinical and pathological entities of cattle from Argentina.

[Identification of species of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma diversum from Argentinian dairy herds]. / Identificación de especies de Mycoplasma y de Ureaplasma diversum en rodeos lecheros de Argentina.

Several species of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma diversum can cause diseases in dairy cattle, which can be associated or not with clinical manifestations. In our country, the presence of Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma californicum and Mycoplasma canadense has been detected, being the only mycoplasma species identified so far. The objective of this study was to identify other species of the Mycoplasmataceae family. Thirty-five Mycoplasma spp.-like isolates obtained from different samples from cattle, with or without clinical symptoms, from eight herds located in the provinces of Santa Fe, Cordoba, Buenos Aires and San Luis were utilized in the present study. Through the use of species-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCR) Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma alkalescens, Mycoplasma bovirhinis and U. diversum were identified and through amplification and further sequencing of the 16-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions, Mycoplasma arginine and M. californicum were identified. The identification of these species represents an important advance in knowledge in order to include these pathogens in the differential diagnosis of certain clinical and pathological entities of cattle from Argentina.

Algoritmo para la evaluación del paciente con síncope. Rendimiento diagnóstico / Algorithm for the evaluation of patients with syncope. Diagnostic output

Syncope is a symptom characterized by transient and autolimited loss of consciousness, generally accompanied by the inhability to stand upright and maintain postural tone, spontaneous recovery and without sequelae. It is produced by a sudden cerebral global and transient hypoperfussion. After assessment of the symptoms and its possible mechanism, it is mandatory to determine if it is an essential syncope or otherwise another entity resembling a syncope, in order to discard it rapidly....Other details are commented in the article

Algoritmo para la evaluación del paciente con síncope. Rendimiento diagnóstico / Algorithm for the evaluation of patients with syncope. Diagnostic output

Syncope is a symptom characterized by transient and autolimited loss of consciousness, generally accompanied by the inhability to stand upright and maintain postural tone, spontaneous recovery and without sequelae. It is produced by a sudden cerebral global and transient hypoperfussion. After assessment of the symptoms and its possible mechanism, it is mandatory to determine if it is an essential syncope or otherwise another entity resembling a syncope, in order to discard it rapidly....Other details are commented in the article

Anemia aplástica adquirida familiar / Familial acquired aplastic anemia

Una variedad poco frecuente de la anemia aplástica adquirida (AAA) es la forma familiar. Lo anterior se ejemplifica al considerar que de 200 casos con AAA atendidos en el servicio, sólo dos presentaron la característica de ser integrantes de una misma familia; éstos correspondieron a dos hermanos no gemelos, uno con AAA leve secundaria a derivados del benceno y que curó espontáneamente, y el otro con AAA grave relacionado con cloranfenicol y que falleció por hemorragia del sistema nervioso central. El estudio del sistema HLA mostró los mismos antígenos en ambos pacientes (A2, A28, B16, B40)