Assessment of Plasma Zinc and Total Leukocyte Count in Calves Experimentally Infected with Mannheimia haemolytica.

Mannheimia haemolytica is the main bacterial pathogen isolated in bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a common disease affecting calves before weaning. Previous research has shown that experimental infection with bovine herpesvirus 1, a respiratory virus, decreases plasma zinc (Zn) levels. However, changes in plasma Zn concentrations in calves experimentally infected with M. haemolytica have not been studied thus far. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of experimental infection with M. haemolytica on plasma Zn concentration in calves. Total leukocyte count and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) clinical score were also evaluated. We conducted a 6-day trial in 14 male Holstein calves randomly assigned to one of two groups, experimental (EG, n = 8) and control (CG, n = 6). Animals in EG were intrabronchially inoculated with M. haemolytica (6.5 × 106 CFU/mL) on day 0 of the trial. Plasma Zn levels were affected by time, treatment, and time by treatment interaction, being lower in EG compared with CG on days 1, 2, and 3. Differences in total leukocyte count were significant on day 1, observing a tendency on day 3. BRD clinical score differed between groups, being higher in EG throughout the trial. We conclude that experimental M. haemolytica infection reduced plasma Zn concentration in clinically ill calves, suggesting that the clinical condition of animals (healthy/ill) should be considered to better interpret plasma Zn values.

Neoplasia fusocelular - tumor de gist: presentación de un caso / Fusocellular neoplasia - gist tumor: presentation of a case

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (TEGI) son las neoplasias mesenquimales más frecuentes del tracto digestivo con una frecuencia de 0,1 a 3 % de todas las neoplasias gastrointestinales. Son derivadas de las células intersticiales de Cajal, localizadas a lo largo del plexo mioentérico de la pared intestinal. Comprenden leiomisarcomas, leiomioblastomas, leimiomas, schwannomas. Están formadas por células fusiformes, en la mayoría, epitelioides o ambas. Se localizan predominantemente en estómago e intestino delgado. Inmunohistoquimicamente se detecta expresión de receptores KIT (antígeno CD117) que puede ser focal, variable o difusa. Involucran tumores benignos pero con potencial malignidad hasta sarcomas metastizantes. Su pronóstico se basa el tamaño y porcentaje de mitosis. La sintomatología depende del lugar de origen, en este caso como masa palpable abdominal y obstrucción intestinal. El tratamiento es la resección completa con márgenes limpios. En caso de metástasis preoperatoria, esta no cambia la conducta quirúrgica, debido a la posibilidad de obstrucción y sangrado. El Imatinib a dosis de 400 mg controla el crecimiento eventual de enfermedad residual. Se presenta el caso clínico de paciente con masa abdominal y cuadro de obstrucción intestinal que evoluciona a la perforación de un TEGI localizado en yeyuno proximal con cuadro peritoneal y absceso subfrenico. Se procede a resección intestinal con yeyuno yeyuno anastomosis resección completa. La histopatología reporta Tumor estronal gastrointestinal y la inmunohistoquimica Neoplasia Fusocelular. CONCLUSION: Los TEGI son de origen mesenquimal, comprenden espectro grande de tumores desde benignos, hasta carcomas altamente malignos. Los factores pronósticos se asocian al tamaño e índice mitótico del tumor. La inmunohistoquimica reporta su expresión para CD117. La resección quirúrgica completa es el pilar de tratamiento y en casos de resección incompleta o irresecabilidad puede usarse imatinib.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most frequent mesenchymal neoplasms of the digestive tract with a frequency of 0.1 to 3% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. They are derived from the interstitial cells of Cajal, located along the myoenteric plexus of the intestinal wall. They include leiomysarcomas, leiomioblastomas, leimiomas, schwannomas. They are made up of spindle cells, in the majority, epithelioids or both. They are located predominantly in the stomach and small intestine. Immunohistochemically, KIT receptor expression (CD117 antigen) is detected, and they can be focal, variable or diffuse. They involve benign but potentially malignancy tumors up to metastatic sarcomas. Their prognosis is based on the size and percentage of mitosis. The symptoms depend on the place of its origin. Treatment is complete resection with clean margins. In the case of preoperative metastases, this does not change the surgical approach, due to the possibility of obstruction and bleeding. Imatinib at a dose of 400 mg controls the eventual growth of residual disease. We present the clinical case of a patient with an abdominal mass and a small bowel obstruction that progresses to perforation of a GIST located in the proximal jejunum with a peritonitis and subphrenic abscess. Intestinal resection is performed with jejunum jejunoanastomosis and complete resection. Histopathology reports gastrointestinal stromal tumor and immunohistochemistry, Fusocellular neoplasia. Conclusion: GIST are of mesenchymal origin, they include a wide spectrum of tumors from benign to highly malignant sarcomas. Prognostic factors are associated with tumor size and mitotic index. Immunohistochemistry reports its expression for CD117. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment and in cases of incomplete resection or unresectability imatinib can be used.

Zinc supplementation within the reference ranges for zinc status in cattle improves sperm quality without modifying in vitro fertilization performance.

Zinc (Zn) has important functions in mammalian reproductive processes. In cattle, Zn status can be classified as deficient, marginal, and adequate, depending on the plasma Zn concentration. In addition, Zn deficiency can lead to reproductive failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal Zn status at the beginning of a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) treatment regimen on pregnancy rate in cattle, and evaluate the effect of supplementing in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium with Zn concentrations within the reference range for Zn status on sperm quality and IVF performance. Pregnancy rates of animals with marginal and adequate Zn status did not differ, and there were no Zn-deficient animals detected. Supplementation of 0.8 µg/mL Zn to IVF medium enhanced progressive motility, sperm viability, functional sperm membrane integrity (HOST), acrosomal integrity and sperm-zona binding, without modifying pronuclear formation, or development of embryos to the cleavage or blastocyst stage after IVF. In conclusion, the present results indicate pregnancy rates are not associated with maternal Zn status at the beginning of the FTAI treatment regimen if Zn status is marginal or adequate. Furthermore, supplementation of IVF medium with Zn at concentrations which is considered adequate for Zn status in cattle led to improved sperm quality, without having effects on embryo development in cattle.

Utilidad de la artrografía en la decisión terapéutica en niños con displasia del desarrollo de cadera de tres meses a tres años de edad / Usefulness of the arthrogram in the decision therapy in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip from 3 months to 3 years of age

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la artrografía como herramienta en la decisión terapéutica de pacientes con displasia del desarrollo de cadera (DDC). Material y métodos: 19 niños con diagnóstico de DDC habitual de edad entre tres meses y tres años, sin antecedentes quirúrgicos, Tonis II o III y expediente radiográfico completo. Para cada caso se registró la decisión terapéutica radiográfica y artrográfica por tres observadores independientemente, en el análisis estadístico el estándar fue la cirugía realizada necesaria para lograr una reducción concéntrica y cobertura acetabular adecuada. Resultados: 20 casos, 19 pacientes, de los cuales 18 fueron unilateral y uno bilateral. Fueron 17 niñas (89%) y dos niños (11%). Edad promedio: un año tres meses (de cuatro meses a dos años 11 meses), 11 Tonis II (55%) y nueve Tonis III (45%). El coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) en relación con la decisión terapéutica radiográfica fue de 0.8933 y para la artrografía fue de 0.7205. El CCI de la decisión terapéutica radiográfica en relación con el estándar fue de 0.7933 y para la artrográfica fue de 0.6219. Se confirmó que en los 20 casos revisados la utilidad de la artrografía (CCI 0.6219) es menor que la de las radiografías (CCI 0.7933). La utilidad de la artrografía fue mayor en los pacientes con Tonis II con una edad entre nueve meses y dos años.

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the utility of arthrography as a tool in therapeutic decision in developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH). Material and methods: 19 children with true DDH with age between three months and three years, without previous surgical treatment, with Tonis II or III, and complete X-rays. For each case; therapeutic decision was registered for X-rays and arthrography by three independent observers, we took like standard, surgery in each patient necessary to obtain a concentric reduction and good acetabular coverage. Results: 20 cases, 19 patients. 18 unilateral, 1 bilateral. They were 17 girls (89%) and 2 children (11%). Average Age: 1 year 3 months (4 months to 2 years 11 months). 11 Tonis II (55%) and 9 Tonis III (45%). The intraclass coefficient of correlation (ICC) in relation to the decision therapeutic radiographic was of 0.8933 and for the arthrography of 0.7205. And ICC of the decision therapeutic radiographic in connection with the standard was of 0.7933 and for the arthrography it was of 0.6219. We confirm that in our 20 cases, the utility of the arthrography (ICC 0.6219), is smaller to the X-rays (ICC 0.7933). The utility of the arthrography was bigger in the patients with Tonis II, and an age between nine months and two years.

Diet of lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in El Rey National Park, Salta, Argentina.

Lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is the largest herbivore in the Neotropics and, in Argentina, it inhabits a variety of habitats from 100 to 2100 m asl. Lowland tapirs importantly influence their habitat structure because they are selective browsers, seed predators and long-distance seed dispersers. However, increased knowledge of tapir ecology is necessary to support the conservation and management of the species in natural and human-modified environments. Between Jun 2002 and Dec 2008 we assessed the tapir's diet in El Rey National Park, Salta, northwestern Argentina. We collected fresh feces and recorded browsing signs, and we recorded direct observations of tapirs while they were feeding. We analyzed 88 feces samples that had been dried and subsequently weighed. Feces were dominated by fibers and leaves (84.09%), while fruit parts represented a small proportion of the weight (15.91%). During the dry months, a greater percentage of seeds were found in the feces, mainly due to the availability of 3 species of Fabaceae fruits. We recorded a total of 57 plant species from 26 families. Tapirs are adapted to extreme habitats, switching their diet from frugivory to herbivory when fruits are scarce. Considering this, forest remnants and even secondary growth fields should be protected from deforestation.

Ab initio method for locating characteristic potential-energy minima of liquids.

It is possible in principle to probe the many-atom potential surface using density functional theory (DFT). This will allow us to apply DFT to the Hamiltonian formulation of atomic motion in monatomic liquids by Wallace [Phys. Rev. E 56, 4179 (1997)]. For a monatomic system, analysis of the potential surface is facilitated by the random and symmetric classification of potential-energy valleys. Since the random valleys are numerically dominant and uniform in their macroscopic potential properties, only a few quenches are necessary to establish these properties. Here we describe an efficient technique for doing this. Quenches are done from easily generated "stochastic" configurations, in which the nuclei are distributed uniformly within a constraint limiting the closeness of approach. For metallic Na with atomic pair potential interactions, it is shown that quenches from stochastic configurations and quenches from equilibrium liquid molecular dynamics configurations produce statistically identical distributions of the structural potential energy. Again for metallic Na, it is shown that DFT quenches from stochastic configurations provide the parameters which calibrate the Hamiltonian. A statistical mechanical analysis shows how the underlying potential properties can be extracted from the distributions found in quenches from stochastic configurations.

[Factors related to haemolysis in the extraction of blood samples]. / Factores relacionados con la hemólisis en la extracción de muestras sanguíneas.

The choice of a venous access system to provide safe blood collection and reliable analytical results for that sample is of paramount importance in any accident and emergency department. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with haemolysis in venous blood samples, where the variables studied were: type of venipuncture (needle and catheter), type of catheter (3 catheters of 3 different materials) and diameter of the catheter. The sample was obtained from all patients who required a blood test in the accident and emergencies department of the Virgen del Camino Hospital over 34 days, collected in 3 different periods (September-November), involving a total of 1.933 procedures. Positive haemolysis determined by laboratory technicians was found in 2% (7/348) of samples obtained by needle compared to 14% (222/1585) obtained by catheter. We observe an 8% (39/475) of haemolysis in the samples taken by protective Teflon catheter, 18% (77/426) by Protectiv plus polyurethane and 15% (106/684) by BD-Nexiva Vialone. The haemolysis index fell with an increase in the size of the catheter, those of 18G showing 13% (115/867) and those of 20G showing 15% (107/708). The combination of catheter type and size maintains the smallest percentages of haemolysis in Teflon catheters and high diameters of 18G with 6% (19/301), less than half the haemolysis of the polyurethane catheters and a third of that for Vialone catheters respectively.

Factores relacionados con la hemólisis en la extracción de muestras sanguíneas / Factors related to haemolysis in the extraction of blood samples

La elección de un sistema de acceso venoso que proporcione una extracción sanguínea segura y unos resultados analíticos fiables en dicha muestra es de suma importancia en cualquier servicio de urgencias. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los factores asociados a la hemólisis en muestras de sangre venosa, siendo las variables estudiadas el tipo de venopunción (con aguja y con catéter), el tipo de catéter (3 catéteres de 3 materiales diferentes) y el diámetro del catéter. La muestra se obtuvo de todos los pacientes que precisaron analítica de sangre en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Virgen del Camino durante 34 días, recogidos en 3 períodos distintos (septiembre-noviembre). Se completó un total de 1.933 procedimientos. Se registró hemólisis positiva, determinada por los técnicos de laboratorio, en un 2% (7/348) de muestras obtenidas con aguja frente al 14% (222/1585) del catéter. Se observó un 8% (39/475) de hemólisis en las muestras extraídas mediante catéter Protectiv® de teflón, 18% (77/426) mediante Protectiv plus® de poliuretano y 15% (106/684) mediante BD-Nexiva® de vialón. El índice de hemólisis disminuyó al aumentar el calibre del catéter; así presentaron un 13% (115/867) los de 18G y un 15% (107/708) los de 20G. La combinación tipo de catéter y calibre mantiene los menores porcentajes de hemólisis para catéteres de teflón y diámetros altos de 18G con un 6% (19/301), menos de la mitad de hemólisis que los respectivos de poliuretano y menos de la tercera parte que los de vialón (AU)

The choice of a venous access system to provide safe blood collection and reliable analytical results for that sample is of paramount importance in any accident and emergency department. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with haemolysis in venous blood samples, where the variables studied were: type of venipuncture (needle and catheter), type of catheter (3 catheters of 3 different materials) and diameter of the catheter. The sample was obtained from all patients who required a blood test in the accident and emergencies department of the Virgen del Camino Hospital over 34 days, collected in 3 different periods (September-November), involving a total of 1.933 procedures. Positive haemolysis determined by laboratory technicians was found in 2% (7/348) of samples obtained by needle compared to 14% (222/1585) obtained by catheter. We observe an 8% (39/475) of haemolysis in the samples taken by protective Teflon® catheter, 18% (77/426) by Protectiv plus® polyurethane and 15% (106/684) by BD-Nexiva® Vialone. The haemolysis index fell with an increase in the size of the catheter, those of 18G showing 13% (115/867) and those of 20G showing 15% (107/708). The combination of catheter type and size maintains the smallest percentages of haemolysis in Teflon catheters and high diameters of 18G with 6% (19/301), less than half the haemolysis of the polyurethane catheters and a third of that for Vialone catheters respectively (AU)

[Effect of blood concentrations of preovulatory estradiol on the quality of eggs and pre-embryos in patients treated with fertilization in vitro]. / Efecto de las concentraciones séricas de estradiol preovulatorio en la calidad de óvulos y preembriones en pacientes tratadas con fertilización in vitro.

The objective was to investigate if the preovulatory estradiol concentrations obtained during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) have effect on reproductive outcome. The study included a total of 198 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Patients were divided into four groups according to serum preovulatory estradiol concentrations. In low responder patients was observed significantly decreased oocyte and preembryo quality compared with normal or high responders (P < 0.01). In this work high response do not have effect on IVF outcome. The clinical results indicate that low estradiol levels the day of hCG administration are apparently correlated with poor oocyte and embryo quality.

Effectiveness of two fluoroquinolones for the treatment of chronic respiratory disease outbreak in broilers.

1. Chronic respiratory disease (CRD) caused by Mycoplasma synoviae in association with Escherichia coli is the disease most frequently encountered in poultry in Mexico. 2. Differences of antimycoplasmal activity, pharmacokinetics and cost among fluoroquinolones were the impetus for this clinical evaluation of efficacy of enrofloxacin and norfloxacin-nicotinate in broilers with CRD. 3. A total of 99,600 broilers, naturally infected with M. synoviae and E. coli, were treated with enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg/d for 3 d) (n = 49,800) or norfloxacin-nicotinate (20 mg/kg/d for 3 d) (n = 49,800). 4. Based on survivor analysis, there were no significant differences of efficacy of the 2 drugs. Survivor probabilities were above 0.99. 5. These results indicate that enrofloxacin and norfloxacin-nicotinate are efficacious for treatment of CRD. Questions remaining to be answered by other studies include: public health concern about the use of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of CRD; clinical superiority of one of these drugs on the basis of an attribute other than antimicrobial activity, such as cost:benefit ratio or ability to prevent bacterial resistance. 6. Clinical efficacy is not a relevant variable in assessing whether norfloxacin-nicotinate or enrofloxacin should be used for the treatment of CRD associated with E. coli in broilers.

Hemorragia digestiva alta en Cusco: experiencia de 2 años / Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Cuzco: two years experience

El presente trabajo presenta la experiencia de la Unidad de Endoscopía Digestiva del Hospital del IPSS de la ciudad del Cusco, durante 2 años (Diciembre de 1987 a Noviembre de 1989), en los que se utilizó la endoscopía como método de diagnóstico, en la hemorragia digestiva alta. Se reporta un total de 5,475 admisiones hospitalarias, de las cuales, 159 correspondieron a episodios de sangrado digestivo alto, configurando el 2,9% del total de ingresos, con una tasa anual de admisión hospitalaria de 90 x 100,000 habitantes. Los 159 episodios, ocurrieron en 140 pacientes, siendo el promedio de edad 51,6 años, correspondiendo el 57,9% a mayores de 50 años. El sexo masculino fue predominante con una relación de 6:1. Las causas más frecuentes fueron: úlcera duodenal (30%), LAMG (24,3%), úlcera gástrica (16,4%), llamando la atención la mayor frecuencia relativa de neoplasias gástricas como causa de sangrado (5,7%). El 93,6% de los pacientes, recibieron tratamiento médico conservador, y únicamente 6,4% requirieron cirugía. Como terapia de sustitución sólo el 30% requirieron transfusión sanguínea, indicando la adecuada tolerancia a la pérdida sanguínea, de nuestros pacientes. La tasa de mortalidad global fue de 9,3%. Se concluye que la hemorragia digestiva alta es más frecuente en el sexo masculino y en sujetos mayores de 50 años de edad. La úlcera duodenal es la causa más frecuente de sangrado, siendo la tasa de mortalidad global de 9,3%, que sin embargo se modifica sustancialmente si se considera al grupo que recibió terapia médica 7,6%, frente al que recibió terapia quirúrgica 33,3%.

The experience in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) from december 1987 to november 1989 at the Peruvian Social Security Regional Hospital Endoscopy Unit in Cuzco is here presented. From 5475 admissions to our hospital, 159 were related to UGB (2.9% of the total admissions, 90 hospital admissions/100,000 in habitants per year), ocurring in 140 patients. The mean age was 51.6 years, 57.9% was older than 50 years, the male/female ratio 6/1. The most frequent causes of bleeding were: Duodenal ulcer (30%) acute lesions of the gastric or duodenal mucose (24,3%), gastric ulcer (16,4%), calling to our attention relative high frequency of gastric ulcer as a cause of bleeding. (5,7%). 6,4% of the patients needed surgery, 30% required blood transfusion. The overall mortality was 9.3%.

[Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Cuzco: two years experience]. / Hemorragia digestiva alta en Cusco experiencia de 2 años.

The experience in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) from december 1987 to november 1989 at the Peruvian Social Security Regional Hospital Endoscopy Unit in Cuzco is here presented. From 5475 admissions to our hospital, 159 were related to UGB (2.9% of the total admissions, 90 hospital admissions/100,000 in habitants per year), ocurring in 140 patients. The mean age was 51.6 years, 57.9% was older than 50 years, the male/female ratio 6/1. The most frequent causes of bleeding were: Duodenal ulcer (30%) acute lesions of the gastric or duodenal mucose (24,3%), gastric ulcer (16,4%), calling to our attention relative high frequency of gastric ulcer as a cause of bleeding. (5,7%).6,4% of the patients needed surgery, 30% required blood transfusion. The overall mortality was 9.3%.

Electroencephalography in congenital malformations of the central nervous system.

We studied clinical and EEG features of 36 cases with congenital malformations of the CNS. Patients were followed at the outpatient clinic of Hospital Cayetano Heredia and of Hogar Clinica San Juan de Dios in Lima-Peru, from January 1984 to June 1992. Eighty percent of the patients had convulsive syndromes and mental retardation. The most frequent malformation was agenesis of corpus callosum, and it was not possible to find a "typical" EEG pattern. The second were porencephalic cysts, with a good clinical-EEG correlation. There were two typical cases of schizencephaly, one of hemimegalencephaly with good prognosis, and one of holoprosencephaly. The results are compared to those obtained for a series we previously reported. Data discussed take into account reports on the subject registered in the literature. It is concluded that EEG is an useful method to evaluate possible CNS malformations in developing countries.

[Congenital contractural arachnodactyly. Report of 2 clinical cases]. / Aracnodactilia contractural congénita. Informe de dos casos clínicos.

Two unrelated male children, aged 15 and 2 months, with congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) are described. CCA is an autosomal dominant disorder of benign evolution, affects the connective tissue and its morphologic phenotype is similar to Marfan syndrome. Differential diagnosis and management are discussed.