Fiber-Optic Pyrometer with Optically Powered Switch for Temperature Measurements.

We report the experimental results on a new infrared fiber-optic pyrometer for very localized and high-speed temperature measurements ranging from 170 to 530 °C using low-noise photodetectors and high-gain transimpedance amplifiers with a single gain mode in the whole temperature range. We also report a shutter based on an optical fiber switch which is optically powered to provide a reference signal in an optical fiber pyrometer measuring from 200 to 550 °C. The tests show the potential of remotely powering via optical means a 300 mW power-hungry optical switch at a distance of 100 m, avoiding any electromagnetic interference close to the measuring point.

Fractura por avulsión de tipo II de la tuberosidad posterior del calcáneo (en pico de pato). Serie de casos / Type II avulsion fracture of calcaneal tuberosity (duck beak). Case series

Introducción El objetivo del estudio es conocer la incidencia, los resultados tras la cirugía y la necesidad de rehabilitación de las fracturas por avulsión de tipo II de la tuberosidad posterior del calcáneo. Materiales y métodos Se realizó un estudio observacional de tipo serie de casos. Se revisaron retrospectivamente todas las fracturas de calcáneo diagnosticadas en nuestro hospital en los últimos 12 años y se seleccionaron aquellas que fueron clasificadas como fracturas por avulsión de la tuberosidad del calcáneo (pico de pato). Resultados Encontramos 10 fracturas con un patrón de fractura por avulsión de la tuberosidad del calcáneo (pico de pato), que corresponden al 4% de todas las fracturas de calcáneo revisadas. Todas fueron tratadas mediante reducción abierta y fijación interna. Un caso fue tratado de forma urgente debido a signos de sufrimiento de partes blandas. Cuatro casos presentaron complicaciones posquirúrgicas. Tres casos requirieron tratamiento específico de rehabilitación. Ningún paciente necesitaba ayuda técnica un año después de la cirugía. Discusión Es razonable esperar un aumento de la incidencia en los próximos años debido al envejecimiento de la población y la prevalencia en aumento de diabetes y osteoporosis. El fragmento desplazado producido por el tendón aquíleo puede poner en peligro la viabilidad cutánea y afectar a la cicatrización posterior. A menudo, no se necesita un protocolo rehabilitador específico. Nivel de evidencia clínica. Nivel IV.

Background The objective of the study is to know the incidence, the results of the surgery and the need for rehabilitation of type II avulsion fractures of the posterior tuberosity of the calcaneus. Materials and methods An observational study of a series of cases was carried out. We retrospectively reviewed all the calcaneal fractures diagnosed in our hospital in the last 12 years and selected the ones classified as avulsion fractures of the tuberosity of the calcaneus (duck beak). Results We found 10 fractures with an avulsion fracture pattern of the calcaneal tuberosity (duck beak), which correspond to 4% of all the calcaneal fractures reviewed. All were treated by an open reduction and internal fixation. One case was treated urgently due to signs of suffering of soft tissue. Four cases presented post-surgical complications. Three cases required specific rehabilitation treatment. Usually, there is no a unique formula to establish a rehabilitation program after surgery. Discussion It is likely to expect an increase rate of this particular fracture according to that elderly population increase with associated osteoporosis and diabetes. The displaced fragment produced by the Achilles' tendon may compromise scaring after surgery. Often a specific rehabilitative protocol is not needed. Evidence level. IV.

Determinación de anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum en búfalos de agua (Bubalus bubalis) en la Amazonía peruana / Determination of antibodies against neospora caninum in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the amazonia

La neosporosis es una parasitosis de importancia en el sector ganadero por ser causante de abortos y mortalidad neonatal. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la presencia de anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum en búfalos de agua procedentes de cinco centros de crianza ubicados en el distrito Jenaro Herrera, departamento de Loreto, Perú, en el año 2008. Se evaluaron 83 muestras de suero, obtenidas de búfalas en edad productiva, criadas para la producción de leche. Las muestras se evaluaron por ELISA indirecto e inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI). No se halló evidencia de anticuerpos contra N. caninuma las diluciones 1:25 y 1:100 utilizando ELISA indirecto, así como a la dilución 1:100 con IFI. Los resultados sugieren una baja o nula exposición de los búfalos de agua al parásito en la zona estudiad.

Neosporosis is an important parasitic disease that causes reproductive problems as abortion and neonatal mortality in diary cattle. The aim of the study was to determine the presence of antibodies against Neospora caninumin water buffaloes reared in five farms located in Jenaro Herrera district, Loreto, Peru in 2008. Blood samples were collected from 83 female dairy buffalo older than 2 years. Serum samples were tested by indirect ELISA and immunnefluorescent antibody test (IFAT). None of sera presented antibodies against N. caninum to the dilution 1:25 and 1:100 using indirect ELISA or to the dilution 1:100 by IFAT. The results suggest a low exposition of water buffaloes to N. caninum in the studied area.

Genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) from Peru and Chile: [revision] / Diversidade genética de vírus da diarréia viral bovina (BVDV) do Peru e Chile: [revisão]

Twenty-five BVDV strains, detected in serum from persistently infected cattle from Peru (n=15) and Chile (n=10) were genetically characterized. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 5' UTR showed that all 25 strains belonged to genotype 1. Twenty-three of the strains could further be subdivided into subtype 1b, and two out of ten Chilean strains into subtype 1a. In conclusion, in total 23 out of 25 strains analyzed were of genotype 1, subtype 1b. This is the predominant BVDV subtype in many countries all over the world, including USA. The close homology with previously described strains reflects the influence of livestock trade on the diversity of BVDV circulating within and between countries and continents. Peru and Chile have imported large numbers of cattle from USA and Europe, mostly with insufficient or lacking health documentation.

Um total de 25 isolados do vírus da diarréia viral bovina (BVDV), sendo 15 originarias do Peru e 10 do Chile foram sujeitas a caracterização genética. A árvore filogenética baseada na análise da região proximal não-codificante (5'UTR) do genoma viral demonstrou que as 25 estirpes pertencem ao genótipo 1 do vírus BVD. Vinte e três destas estirpes puderam adicionalmente ser subdivididas no subtipo 1b, enquanto duas das 10 estirpes isolados provenientes do Chile foram identificadas como pertencentes ao subtipo 1a. Em conclusão, 23 de um total de 25 isolados analisados pertencem ao genótipo 1, subtipo 1b. Este é o subtipo de BVDV predominante em muitos países do mundo, incluindo os EUA. A elevada similaridade genética com isolados descritos anteriormente em outras regiões do mundo realça o papel do comércio internacional de gado no estabelecimento de diversidade genética do vírus BVD. Tanto o Peru como o Chile têm historia de importação de grandes quantidades de gado dos Estados Unidos e da Europa, no entanto sem suficiente documentação comprovativa do estado sanitário no que concerne a esta virose.

Investigation of T-cell responses and viral mRNA persistence in lymph nodes of pigs infected with porcine rubulavirus.

Selected lymphocyte subpopulations were studied and the distribution of viral mRNA were investigated during acute and persistent porcine rubulavirus (PoRV-LPMV) infection in Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. Six pigs infected with PoRV-LPMV at 17 days of age exhibited clinical signs 7-10 days post-inoculation (pi). One infected piglet died 11 days pi while the other five recovered around day 13 pi and survived until euthanasia on day 277 pi. Increased numbers of CD8+, CD4+ and CD2+ T cells were detected during the acute phase of infection while CD8+ cells were elevated throughout the infection, including during the persistent stage. Specific antibodies against the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein of PoRV-LPMV were detected during persistent infection. Although infectious virus could not be recovered from tissues from any of the infected pigs at necropsy 277 days pi, PoRV-LPMV mRNA was detected in lymph nodes, pancreas and central nervous system using a nested polymerase chain reaction technique. Continued lymphocyte interaction with viral RNA may be an important factor in promoting cellular and humoral responses during persistent PoRV-LPMV infection.

Molecular epidemiology of bovine viral diarrhoea during the final phase of the Swedish BVD-eradication programme.

The Swedish BVD-eradication programme has been successfully running since 1993 and is now in its final phase. Nevertheless, new infections are occasionally being detected. In this paper we describe the first results of a programme where we apply a molecular-epidemiological approach to trace sources and routes of BVDV infection, and that we expect will speed up the final phase of the BVD-programme and help to reach total eradication.

Propriedades biológicos y moleculares del virus Papiloma / Biologic and molecular characteristics of Papilloma virus

Warts or papillomas are caused by papillomavirus, a member of the Papovaviridae family. the virus is 55 nm in diameter, consisting of a protein capsid with 72 capsomers arranged in a icosaedral form. The genome is a double standed circular DNA molecule containing approximately 8.000 base pairs. The papillomavirus does not multiply in any culture system tested so far and this hampered the molecular studies of this virus. However, the development of recombinant DNA techniques makes it possible to clone papillomavirus genomes in bacterial vectors and hence to produce viral DNA in sufficient quantities to be used for structural studies and for biological experiments. The genome of papillomavirus replicates extrachromosomally in mouse cells and can therefore be used as a cloning vector in mammalian cells. Moreover, the virus or its genome can efficiently transform mouse cells in vitro and therfore has been a useful model to study papillomavirus transformation, oncogenicity as well as gene expression. The present work summarizes the results obtained un our laboratory concerning the biological and molecular characterizarion of some papillomavirus isolated in Sweden (Bovine papillomavirus type 1, FPV and the Reindeer papillomavirus RPV)

Propriedades biológicos y moleculares del virus Papiloma / Biologic and molecular characteristics of Papilloma virus

Warts or papillomas are caused by papillomavirus, a member of the Papovaviridae family. the virus is 55 nm in diameter, consisting of a protein capsid with 72 capsomers arranged in a icosaedral form. The genome is a double standed circular DNA molecule containing approximately 8.000 base pairs. The papillomavirus does not multiply in any culture system tested so far and this hampered the molecular studies of this virus. However, the development of recombinant DNA techniques makes it possible to clone papillomavirus genomes in bacterial vectors and hence to produce viral DNA in sufficient quantities to be used for structural studies and for biological experiments. The genome of papillomavirus replicates extrachromosomally in mouse cells and can therefore be used as a cloning vector in mammalian cells. Moreover, the virus or its genome can efficiently transform mouse cells in vitro and therfore has been a useful model to study papillomavirus transformation, oncogenicity as well as gene expression. The present work summarizes the results obtained un our laboratory concerning the biological and molecular characterizarion of some papillomavirus isolated in Sweden (Bovine papillomavirus type 1, FPV and the Reindeer papillomavirus RPV) (AU)