Second litter syndrome in Iberian pig breed: factors influencing the performance.

Second litter syndrome (SLS) consists of a loss of prolificacy in the second parity (P2), when a sow presents the same or lower results for litter size than in the first parity (P1). This syndrome has been reported for modern prolific breeds but has not been studied for rustic breeds. The objectives of this study are to determine how and to what degree Iberian sows (a low productivity breed recently raised on intensive farms) are affected by SLS; to establish a target and reference levels; and to assess the factors influencing the performance. Analysed data correspond to 66 Spanish farms with a total of 126 140 Iberian sows. The average Iberian sow prolificacy in P1 was 8.91 total born (TB) and 8.47 born alive (BA) piglets, whereas in P2, it decreased by -0.05 TB and -0.01 BA piglets, suggesting some general incidence of SLS. At the sow level, 56.63% did not improve prolificacy in terms of BA piglets in P2, and 16.98% had a clear decrease in prolificacy, losing ≥3 BA piglets in P2. Within herds, a mean of 57.75% of sows showed SLS, with an evident decrease in the number of BA piglets in P2. The plausible target for the Iberian farm's prolificacy comes from the quartile of farms with the lowest percentage of SLS sows within the farms with the highest prolificacy between P1 and P2 (mean of 8.77 BA). So, in this subset of farms (N = 17), 47.3% of sows improved their prolificacy in P2 (i.e. did not show SLS). Hence, half the sows could be expected to show SLS even on farms with a good performance. Finally, this study brings out the main factors reducing P2 prolificacy through SLS in the Iberian breed: later age at first farrowing, long first lactation length, medium weaning to conception interval and large litter size in P1. In conclusion, improving the reproductive performance of Iberian farms requires reducing the percentage of sows with SLS, paying special attention to those risk factors. The knowledge derived from this study can provide references for comparing and establishing objectives of performance on Iberian sow farms which can be used for other robust breeds.

Analytical Tools for Disease Diagnosis in Animals via Fecal Volatilome.

Volatilome analysis is growing in attention for the diagnosis of diseases in animals and humans. In particular, volatilome analysis in fecal samples is starting to be proposed as a fast, easy and noninvasive method for disease diagnosis. Volatilome comprises volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are produced during both physiological and patho-physiological processes. Thus, VOCs from a pathological condition often differ from those of a healthy state and therefore the VOCs profile can be used in the detection of some diseases. Due to their strengths and advantages, feces are currently being used to obtain information related to health status in animals. However, they are complex samples, that can present problems for some analytical techniques and require special consideration in their use and preparation before analysis. This situation demands an effort to clarify which analytic options are currently being used in the research context to analyze the possibilities these offer, with the final objectives of contributing to develop a standardized methodology and to exploit feces potential as a diagnostic matrix. The current work reviews the studies focused on the diagnosis of animal diseases through fecal volatilome in order to evaluate the analytical methods used and their advantages and limitations. The alternatives found in the literature for sampling, storage, sample pretreatment, measurement and data treatment have been summarized, considering all the steps involved in the analytical process.

The gluten-free basic food basket: a problem of availability, cost and nutritional composition.

The basic food basket (BFB), formed by the more economical products available, is used by less-affluent countries to establish the minimum daily food consumption to satisfy nutritional requirements in less-privileged individuals. There is no information about groups that depend on the BFB and in addition follow gluten-free diet (GF/BFB). We measured availability, cost, main ingredients and nutritional composition of GF/BFB. Data were collected in the area that was first in the social priority list in the capital city, matching BFB components with gluten-free equivalents (GF/BFB). GF/BFB characterized by being 42% less available, three times more costly (>500% higher for bread), with up to 69% lower protein content and with no fortifications, leaving at nutritional risk celiac individuals that depend on GF/BFB. Results raise concerns on the capacity of the GF/BFB to encourage adherence, maintain adequate nutritional status and quality of life in celiac patients.

Angular dependence of the magnetoresistance in nanoparticle arrays.

The interplay between the ferromagnetism and the charging effects strongly affects the electron transport through nanoparticle arrays when they are placed between two ferromagnetic electrodes with collinear magnetizations. There are oscillations in the current for the parallel orientation of magnetizations, and large values of the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR). We analyze the transport properties in nanoparticle arrays for the case of noncollinear magnetizations. We show that the I-V and TMR curves strongly depend on the angle θ between the magnetization orientations of both electrodes. Large values of TMR are obtained for several values of θ.

Evaluation of hippuric acid content in goat milk as a marker of feeding regimen.

Organic producers, traders, and consumers must address 2 issues related to milk: authentication of the production system and nutritional differentiation. The presence of hippuric acid (HA) in goat milk samples has been proposed as a possible marker to differentiate the feeding regimen of goats. The objective of this work is to check the hypothesis that HA could be a marker for the type of feeding regimen of goats by studying the influence of production system (conventional or organic) and feeding regimen (with or without grazing fodder). With this purpose, commercial cow and goat milk samples (n=27) and raw goat milk samples (n=185; collected from different breeds, localizations, and dates) were analyzed. Samples were grouped according to breed, feeding regimen, production system, and origin to compare HA content by ANOVA and honestly significant difference Tukey test at a confidence level of ≥95%. Hippuric acid content was obtained by analyzing milk samples with capillary electrophoresis. This method was validated by analyzing part of the samples with HPLC as a reference technique. Sixty-nine raw goat milk samples (of the total 158 samples analyzed in this work) were quantified by capillary electrophoresis. In these samples, the lowest average content for HA was 7±3 mg/L. This value corresponds to a group of conventional raw milk samples from goats fed with compound feed. The highest value of this group was 28±10 mg/L, corresponding to goats fed compound feed plus grass. Conversely, for organic raw goat milk samples, the highest concentration was 67±14 mg/L, which corresponds to goats fed grass. By contrast, the lowest value of this organic group was 26±10 mg/L, which belongs to goats fed organic compounds. Notice that the highest HA average content was found in samples from grazing animals corresponding to the organic group. This result suggests that HA is a good marker to determine the type of goats feeding regimen; a high content of HA represents a diet based mainly or exclusively on eating green grass (grazing), independently of the production system. Hence, this marker would not be useful for the actual organic policies to distinguish organic milk under the current regulations, because organic dairy ruminants can be fed organic compound feed and conserved fodder without grazing at all.

Colonoscopy in octogenarians: a review of 428 cases.

Studies on the use of colonoscopy in the octogenarian are few. Therefore this study evaluated the results and cost-effectiveness of colonoscopy in octogenarians. A total of 403 patients 80 years of age or older who underwent colonoscopy from May 1994 to May 1996 were reviewed (median 84, range 80-95). Parameters evaluated were indications for colonoscopy, significant endoscopic findings (biopsy-confirmed adenocarcinoma and adenomatous polyps >/=1 cm), complications, colonoscopy completion rate, and mean charge per procedure. Postpolypectomy bleeding occurred in one patient. The cecal intubation rate was 94%. The calculated cost per procedure was U.S. $2,342. Indications for colonoscopy/number of cancers detected include: change in bowel habits, 78/2; blood/hemoccult positive, 69/8; abdominal pain, 12/0; constipation, 9/0; diarrhea, 8/0; surveillance for history of polyps, 159/3; surveillance for history of cancer, 51/1; cancer or polyp on sigmoidoscopy, 42/4. The cancer detection rate in patients with bleeding was 11.5%, compared with 1. 9% for all other symptoms. Colonoscopy can be safely performed in the octogenarian population. Our data suggest that more stringent selection criteria for colonoscopy in the octogenarian could result in significant cost savings.

[In situ ductal carcinoma of the breast]. / Carcinoma ductal in situ de mama.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an early, localized stage of breast cancer. The diagnosis of DCIS has increased due to the use on a large scale of mammography. The majority of these tumors are detected on the mammography by microcalcifications. It is very important to establish a new pathologic classification. The management is one of the most controversial part in the treatment of breast cancer; for several decades total mastectomy was considered the appropriate treatment. Conservative treatment is based on the surgical excision of the tumor plus irradiation of the remaining breast. Has an excellent prognosis when properly treated.

[The outlook for Spanish primary care starting with a bibliometric analysis of its scientific production (1971-1994)]. / Perspectiva de la atención primaria española a partir del análisis bibliométrico de su producción científica (1971-1994).

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relative weight of the various kinds of primary health care (PHC) research collected in the IME (Spanish medical index), In order to determine their possible relationships with Spain's PHC model. DESIGN: Bibliometric analysis. PARTICIPANTS: PHC documents (1971-1994) from the IME data base (CD-ROM), subdivided by years, journals, themes and Autonomous Communities (AC). RESULTS: 3,015 studies were published, with a first phase (1970s) of under 10 documents per year, a second (1980s) with a big increase and a third (1990s) of stagnation. Of the 117 journals containing studies, Atención Primaria gave a home to almost 58% (60% after 1984). CONCLUSIONS: PHC research production has stagnated recently, though the journal Atención Primaria has maintained its undisputed leadership position. The clinical model predominant in Spanish medicine is generally followed.

Characterization of a binding site for chemically synthesized lipo-oligosaccharidic NodRm factors in particulate fractions prepared from roots.

This paper describes the characteristics of a binding site for the major, lipo-oligosaccharide Nod factor of Rhizobium meliloti in roots of the symbiotic host plant, Medicago truncatula. Chemically synthesized NodRm-IV(Ac, S, C16:2) was labelled by tritiation to a specific activity of 56 Ci mmol-1 and this ligand was shown to be biologically active in the root hair deformation assay at 10(-11) M. Binding of the ligand to a particulate fraction from roots of M. truncatula was found to be saturable and reversible with an affinity (Kd) of 86 nM and the binding characteristics were consistent with a single class of binding sites. Competition with modified Nod factors showed that the binding was independent of both the O-acetyl and the sulphyl group and did not depend on the unsaturation of the fatty acid. However, both moieties of the lipo-oligosaccharide are required for high-affinity binding since tetra-N-acetyl-chitotetraose and palmitate were found to be poor competitors of ligand binding. A binding site with analogous characteristics was also found in a similarly prepared particulate fraction of tomato roots. This binding site for Nod factors, termed NFBS1, which is present in both a leguminous and a non-leguminous plant, may have a more general role than symbiosis.

[Rational structures in health education models: basics and systematization]. / Estructuras de racionalidad en educación para la salud: fundamentos y sistematización.

The different Health Education (HE) models appeared in the scientific literature are analyzed, trying to eliminate the confusion produced by its great diversity, applying a general and systematic point of view. Due to the relevance of that topic in the activities of Health Promotion in Primary Health Care it is urgent a deep reappraisal due the heterogeneity of scientific papers dealing with that topic. The curriculum, as the confluence of thought and action in Health Education, is the basic concept thanks to which it is possible to integrate both scientific logic, the biological one and that pertaining to the social sciences. Of particular importance have been the different paradigms that have emerged in the field of HE from the beginning of the present century: a first generation with a "normative" point of view, a second one orientated from positivistic bases, and a third generation adopting an hermeneutic and critic nature. This third generation of paradigms in HE has taken distances from the behaviouristic and cognitive perspectives being more critical and participative. The principal scientific contributors in the field of HE, internationals as well as spaniards are studied and classified. The main conclusions obtained from this Health Education paradigm controversy are referred to both aspects: 1) planning, programming and evaluating activities, and 2) models, qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Emphasis is given to the need of including Community Participation in all phases of the process in critic methodologies of HE. It is postulated the critic paradigm as the only one able to integrate the rest of the scientific approaches in Health Education.

[Educational and health dimensions of health education at school: a participative total experience in 2 health regions of Murcia]. / Dímensiones educativas y sanitarias de la educación para la salud en la escuela: una experiencia participativa y global en dos zonas de salud de Murcia.

BACKGROUND: The results of and experience on School Health Education during two years and in two health areas, which intends to promote solid contacts between all people interested in carrying out activities included in daily work, and, this way, to improve the schoolchildren habits are shown. METHODS: The activity is situated in the Investigation Action paradigm. Quantitative and qualitative methods are used in the process and product evaluation. RESULTS: The programme has had an statistically significant effect on the habits considered to be of interest (dental hygiene and physical exercise) and no effects on those habits on which no work was done. There have been 13 Educational Centers, 2 Health Centers and the Faculty of Medicine Sociosanitary Sciences Department. Collaboration, among all interested people, has been increasing, although there have been found difficulties and giving up. CONCLUSIONS: Our opinion is that the role to be played by the Health Councils and the School Councils is essential to develop the recent ministerial dispositions on the matter, within the scope of health areas.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors: labeling the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding site with photoaffinity ligands.

We have photolabeled the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor and probed the IP3 ligand binding site using two novel photoaffinity ligands, [125I] (azidosalicyl)aminopropyl-IP3 ([125I]ASA-IP3) and [3H] (benzoyldihydrocinnamyl)aminopropyl-IP3 ([3H]BZDC-IP3). Both ligands have high affinity for the IP3 receptor and, when photoactivated, label the IP3 receptor protein with appropriate inositol phosphate selectivity. The high specific activity of [125I]ASA-IP3 allowed identification of a single photolabeling site within the IP3R by two-dimensional peptide analysis. Substantially higher levels of incorporation into the receptor are achieved with [3H]BZDC-IP3 (50-60% efficiency) than with [125I]ASA-IP3 (3%), facilitating the use of [3H]BZDC-IP3 as a better ligand for the high-efficiency labeling and purification of IP3R-labeled peptides. Peptides were generated from photolabeled IP3 receptor by trypsin digestion and purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). A single purified [3H]BZDC-IP3-labeled peptide, corresponding to IP3R amino acids 476-501, was sequenced and shown to match specific sequences in the N-terminal 20% of the IP3 receptor, an area suggested on the basis of mutagenesis studies to contain the IP3 recognition site.

New tetherable derivatives of myo-inositol 2,4,5- and 1,3,4-trisphosphates.

(+/-)-myo-Inositol 1-(3-aminopropyl hydrogen phosphate) 3,4-bis(disodium phosphate) (5) and (+/-)-myo-inositol 2-(3-aminopropyl hydrogen phosphate) 4,5-bis(disodium phosphate) (11) have been synthesized by conventional procedures. Each derivative has been immobilized on a polymeric resin in order to give a bioaffinity matrix.

Photoaffinity labeling and characterization of isolated inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate- and inositol hexakisphosphate-binding proteins.

We have isolated high affinity inositol (1,3,4,5)-tetrakisphosphate (IP4)- and inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6)-binding proteins from detergent-solubilized rat brain membranes using a P1-tethered IP4 derivative linked to an Affi-Gel support. To determine the identity, binding characteristics, and distribution of the individual IP4 recognition sites, we have synthesized an IP4 photoaffinity label probe, 125I-(D,L)-1-O-[N-(4-azidosalicyloxy)-3-aminopropyl-1-phospho]- IP4 (125I-ASA-IP4). Two apparently distinct IP4-binding proteins (IP4BP), isolated with the IP4 affinity column, display high affinity and selectivity for IP4 over inositol trisphosphate (IP3), inositol pentakisphosphate (IP5), and IP6. The first IP4-binding protein (IP4BP1) which has a KD for IP4 of 4 nM, is comprised of a protein at 182 kDa which is specifically photolabeled with high affinity by 125I-ASA-IP4. The second, IP4BP2, has an affinity for IP4 of 1.5 nM and contains proteins at 84 and 174 kDa, both of which are specifically photoaffinity labeled. A putative IP6-binding protein (IP6BP), also isolated with the IP4 affinity column, binds IP6 with a KD of 14 nM and comprises three proteins of 115, 105, and 50 kDa. The 115- and 105-kDa subunits, but not the 50-kDa subunit, specifically incorporate the photolabel. The IP4BP (182, 174, and 84 kDa) and IP6BP (115 and 105 kDa) proteins are specifically photolabeled in the crude membrane, partially purified, and purified fractions. These receptor-binding proteins vary in inositol phosphate specificity and in the effects of pH, Ca2+, and heparin on IP4 photoaffinity labeling. In addition, IP4BP and IP6BP are enriched in the brain but differ in their regional localizations within the brain.

Designed enediynes: a new class of DNA-cleaving molecules with potent and selective anticancer activity.

The rational design and biological actions of a new class of DNA-cleaving molecules with potent and selective anticancer activity are reported. These relatively simple enediyne-type compounds were designed from basic chemical principles to mimic the actions of the rather complex naturally occurring enediyne anticancer antibiotics, particularly dynemicin A. Equipped with locking and triggering devices, these compounds damage DNA in vitro and in vivo on activation by chemical or biological means. Their damaging effects are manifested in potent anticancer activity with remarkable selectivities. Their mechanism of action involves intracellular unlocking and triggering of a Bergman reaction, leading to highly reactive benzenoid diradicals that cause severe DNA damage. The results of these studies demonstrate the potential of these de novo designed molecules as biotechnology tools and anticancer agents.

[Health Councils: assessment after 1 year of functioning]. / Los Consejos de Salud: balance de un año de funcionamiento.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the experience from creating and developing Health Committees in the areas of Santa Maria de Gracia and La Nora (Murcia) throughout more than one year in operation (1989-90), as bodies for community participation. DESIGN: Participative research which has meant the transformation of existing reality, and which in the process has been a source of knowledge. LOCATION: Clinic Centres, at community level, in two basic health areas, one rural and one urban. PARTICIPANTS: E.A.P., education officers, pharmacists, various associations, mayors, the Government, Department of Socio-health Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine, and the community in general. INTERVENTIONS: The analysis of developing the participative dynamics. MAIN RESULTS: The content of the Minutes of the meetings were analysed in order to give an objective, systematic and quantitative view of what has occurred, 22 variables were identified which were grouped and cross grouped. CONCLUSIONS: Everyone is invited to the Committees and the large majority attend. Citizens and professionals speak and express their views. The meetings are democratic and agreements are reached, objectives established, health problems are resolved and the only instrument used being participation. This has all been stable throughout the year of operation.

[Knowledge of the hygiene habits of schoolchildren: a course of urban collaboration in health]. / Conocer los hábitos higiénicos de los escolares: cauce de colaboración ciudadana en salud.

AIM: To study the hygiene habits of schoolchildren in Santa Maria de Gracia (an urban site) and La Nora (a rural site), both in Murcia. This stemmed from an initiative of the Health Councils of these places, with the aim of later developing an effective project of Health Education. The Community was conceived as the main player in the Health-Illness process: passive behaviour models were thus abandoned. DESIGN: This was a transversal study of the hygiene customs of school-children from Second and Seventh Grade E.G.B. (General Basic Education: from 8 to 13) in the rural area; from Second and Fifth Grade EGB, from Second Grade BUP (Baccalaureate: from 14 to 16) and from the Second Course of Second Grade FP (Professional Formation) in the urban area. Questionnaires covered the whole of the above population. Crosses according to age, sex and the rural or urban environment were made. PARTICIPANTS: Professionals from both the Primary Care Teams, from Educational Centres, from the Department of Socio-Health Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine and schoolchildren interviewed. INTERVENTIONS: Using a participatory methodology, a questionnaire was designed and answered by a total of 1,182 students, belonging to 13 Educational Centres. MAIN FINDINGS: There are shortcomings open to improvement in practically all areas of hygiene habits; with important differences, in particular customs, between boys and girls, between town and country and between younger and older students.

[Health instruction in adult education as instrument for community participation. Analysis of an experiment in La Nora (Murcia)]. / La formación sanitaria en la educación de adultos como instrumento para la participación comunitaria. Análisis de una experiencia en La Nora (Murcia).

AIM: The main aim of this work is to demonstrate the possibility of establishing stable contacts between the PC study and citizens' groups, in order to promote Health Education. The experience of Adult Education in a Health Centre, initiated by its Consejo de Salud (Health Council), was analysed. DESIGN: The study's methodology is of Participatory Research based on an earlier descriptive analysis, which had followed the educational input. PLACE: It takes place in a PCC and is a Community-based activity. PARTICIPANTS: The PC study, Adult Education teachers, the Social Health Department of the Faculty of Medicine and 136 adult students from nine villages in the rural area of La Nora (Murcia), took part in the study. ACTIVITIES: Essentially to develop a programme of Health Instruction within Adult Education, in order to encourage Community Participation. RESULTS: They focus on checking the effect of the programme on all the groups concerned and analysing the characteristics of the adult student body. CONCLUSIONS: The most important have been the generally positive feelings about the experiment and thus the possibility of tackling new ones. It was important that the study had been the fruit of a programme of Community Participation, with the Health Centre as the point of reference.

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and inositol hexakisphosphate receptor proteins: isolation and characterization from rat brain.

High-affinity, membrane-associated inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) and inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) binding proteins were solubilized and isolated utilizing a heparin-agarose resin followed by an IP4 affinity resin. The IP6 receptor comprises a protein complex of 115-, 105-, and 50-kDa subunits, all of which comigrate under native conditions. The Kd of the receptor for IP6 is 12 nM, whereas inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate (IP5), IP4, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) are 50%, 30%, and 15%, respectively, as potent. Two protein complexes copurify with the IP4 receptor fraction. A 182/123-kDa complex elutes first from the affinity column followed by a 174/84-kDa protein complex, which elutes at higher salt. Both complexes show high affinity for IP4 (Kd = 3-4 nM). IP5, IP6, and IP3 display approximately 25%, 10%, and 0.1%, respectively, the affinity of IP4. Ligand binding to IP6 and IP4 receptors is inhibited 50% by heparin at 0.1 microgram/ml. IP4 receptor proteins are stoichiometrically phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C, whereas negligible phosphorylation is observed for the IP6 receptor.