Sharp decrease of genetic variation in two Spanish localities of razor clam Ensis siliqua: natural fluctuation or Prestige oil spill effects?

Pollution is one of the main concerns in marine ecosystems nowadays. Environmental anthropogenic-mediated toxicants may affect genetic diversity both at the individual and ecosystem levels and may also alter the genetic structure of populations. This study examined the temporal pattern of genetic diversity among populations of the benthic bivalve Ensis siliqua in two locations of Galicia, following the Prestige oil spillage. On November 13, 2002 the oil tanker Prestige sank at 240 km from Galician coast and 63,000 tonnes of heavy fuel were released to the marine environment. E. siliqua samples were sampled between 2001 and 2006. Genetic variation was assessed by means of Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A significant decrease in genetic diversity was observed for the 2006 samples. Nei's genetic distance, fixation index (PhiPT), and PCA values also supported differences in the 2006 samples. We hypothesize that the temporal genetic variation observed in E. siliqua populations is due to a strong effect of genetic drift caused by a reduction in population size and that the indirect effects of the Prestige spill possibly caused this reduction.

Latex allergy: Position Paper

Correct management of latex allergy is essential to ensure adequate care of patients who are allergic to latex, which is ubiquitous in the health care setting. In this Position Paper, the Latex Committee of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology provides guidelines for the management of latex allergy.

[Morbidity and costs in complete thyroidectomies. Improvement in Value of the Process by a change in the management]

OBJECTIVES

1) To present the postoperative morbidity of complete thyroidectomies and the results of their clinical management and costs obtained after surgery. 2) To compare the results obtained for the morbidity and costs in the complete thyroidectomy Process, after the management changes introduced by the Endocrine Surgical Unit (ESU). 3) To define whether these changes improve the Value (benefit/cost ratio) of the Process.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective study of cohorts conducted on 529 complete thyroidectomies performed between 1998 and 2011. We present their clinical-pathological characteristics and we compare the clinical and management results obtained after surgery in 2 time periods: 1998-2006 without ESU (group 1, 205 patients) and 2007-2011 with ESU (group 2, 324 patients). The clinical results and the possible benefits are assessed by studying the morbimortality (recurrent lesions, hypocalcaemia [<8 mg/dl], suffocative haematomas and bleeding), and those of management, for the evaluation of the use of operating room time, the average stay and the total cost of the Process. The statistical comparison study was made using Student t test, for the comparison of means and the Chi(2) to compare percentages, accepting P<.05 as significant.

RESULTS

The global percentage of transient recurrent dysfunctions (TRD) was 6%, and for definitive recurrent paralysis (DRP) it was 1.5%. Hypocalcaemia, at 24 hours was 54.6%, at one month 7%, at six months 6.2% and that of definitive hypoparathyroidism 1.3%. There were 2.8% of suffocative haematomas and 2% adverse effects. The mean surgical time was 98 minutes, and the average stay was 3.66 days. In the comparison of results of the groups, the ESU improved the TRD index by nearly 7 points (10.2 vs. 3.4%, P=.002), that of DRP by 1.5 (2.4 vs. 0.4%; P=.3) until reaching under 1%. The figures on bleeding at 24 hours (53 vs. 44 cc; P=.002) and 48 hours (23 to 17 cc; P<.001), the rate of haematomas by another 6 points (6.3 vs. 0.6%; P<.001), and that of hypocalcaemia at 24 hours (P=.01). The average stay also improved (4.79 vs. 2.94 days; P<.001), the use of operating room time (reduced by 20 minutes/operation; P<.001), the total cost of the Process, decreasing by more than € 2,000/Process (P<.001), and produced a total savings for the hospital in the period of study of € 665,820.

CONCLUSIONS

1) The global results (post-operative morbidity) of our total thyroidectomies are within the quality standards. 2) The surgical specialisation and the changes introduced by the ESU improved the clinical results (greater benefit) and those of management, cutting down the average stay and the operating room usage time and decreasing costs. 3) The change in management increased the Value of the Process.

Ordered vacancy network induced by the growth of epitaxial graphene on Pt(111)

We have studied large areas of (√3×√3)R30° graphene commensurate with a Pt(111) substrate. A combination of experimental techniques with ab initio density functional theory indicates that this structure is related to a reconstruction at the Pt surface, consisting of an ordered vacancy network formed in the outermost Pt layer and a graphene layer covalently bound to the Pt substrate. The formation of this reconstruction is enhanced if low temperatures and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are used as molecular precursors for epitaxial growth of the graphene layers.

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and high-oleic sunflower oil on performance and egg quality in laying hens

(1) Laying hen performance, yolk fatty acid (FA) concentrations, sensory quality and firmness of eggs were evaluated with respect to the inclusion in the diet of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and high-oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO). (2) Nine diets were arranged factorially, with three concentrations of CIA (0, 1 and 2 g/kg) and HOSO (10, 20 and 30 g/kg). (3) Type of diet did not affect egg production traits. (4) Dietary addition of CLA decreased yolk lipid content and yolk lipid concentrations of monounsaturated FA, C(20:4 n-6) and C(22:6 n-3), but increased those of CLA and saturated FA. (5) Dietary addition of HOSO increased monounsaturated FA concentrations in the yolk lipid but decreased those of CLA and saturated FA. (6) CLA supplementation increased yolk moisture and firmness and impaired the sensory quality of eggs. (7) An interaction between CLA and HOSO addition was found as effects of CLA addition on yolk lipid CLA concentrations and egg quality traits were smaller when the amount of HOSO in the diet increased. (8) Regression equations have been calculated in order to predict yolk CLA and C(18:1), concentration from dietary composition, and yolk firmness from yolk FA composition.

Understanding atomic-resolved STM images on TiO2(110)-(1 x 1) surface by DFT calculations

We present a combination of experimental STM images and DFT calculations to understand the atomic scale contrast of features found in high-resolution STM images. Simulating different plausible structural models for the tip, we have been able to reproduce various characteristics previously reported in experimental images on TiO(2)(110)-(1 x 1) under controlled UHV conditions. Our results allow us to determine the influence of different chemical and morphological tip terminations on the atomic-resolution STM images of the TiO(2)(110)-(1 x 1) surface. The commonest images have been properly explained using standard models for a W tip, either clean or with a single O atom located at the apex. Furthermore, a double transfer of oxygen atoms can account for different types of bizarre atomic-resolution features occasionally seen, and not conclusively interpreted before. Importantly, we discuss how typical point-defects are imaged on this surface by different tips, namely bridging O vacancies and adsorbed OH groups.

Genetic Coadaptation in the Chromosomal Polymorphism of DROSOPHILA SUBOBSCURA. I. Seasonal Changes of Gametic Disequilibrium in a Natural Population

Seasonal changes in gene arrangement and allozyme frequencies have been investigated in Drosophila subobscura for several years. Some arrangements (O(st) and O(3+4+7)) show seasonal variation, which suggests that chromosomal polymorphism is flexible in this species. Seasonal changes in allozyme frequencies for Lap and Pept-1 loci, both located within the same inversions of chromosome O, are significant only inside the O(st) arrangement, but not inside O(3+4) arrangement. This arrangement-dependent response of allozyme generates variation in arrangement-allozyme disequilibrium. The historical hypothesis on the maintenance of disequilibria cannot explain these seasonal changes, and some kind of natural selection must be invoked. Association between Lap and Pept-1 is also seasonal inside O(st) but not inside O(3+4). We propose that O(st) probably consists of a finite array of supergenes that are differentially favored in each season by natural selection. The present evidence on this supergene selection and other genetic, biogeographic and phylogenetic data points to O(3+4) as the most primitive gene order among the present arrangements.

Medical and surgical management of a dystocia because of foetopelvic disproportion in an African lioness (Panthera leo)

Medical and surgical management of a foetopelvic dystocia in an African lioness (Panthera leo) and the post-operative complications are reported. A caesarean section was performed to extract an oversize foetus blocked at the cervical canal; the lioness died 36 h after surgery. At necropsy, an abdominal effusion with sero-haemorrhagic fluid was observed, along with a fibrinopurulent exudate adhered to the serosal surfaces of the pelvic and abdominal cavities. In addition, the pelvic symphysis was not cartilaginous, but formed a firm and rigid joint between the pubis and ischium of each hip. The macroscopic and microscopic findings confirmed the presence of metritis, vaginitis and peritonitis. Dystocia may be caused by the premature ossification of the pelvic symphysis, reducing the dimensions of the pelvic cavity.

[Renal handling of beta2 microglobulin. Its significance in carriers of adolescent nephronophthisis (NPH3)]

The adolescent nephronophthisis (NPH3) is a variant of the nephronophthisis. In Venezuela, one to three patients have been registered each year, all of them belonging to the same family tree. The objective of this study was to evaluate the function of the proximal convoluted tubule in NPHP3 carriers; using the beta2M as biological marker. Eight carriers, 7 heterozygotes and 1 homozygote, with normal renal function were compared with a 10 healthy subjects (control group). Serum beta2 microglobulin (beta2M), urinary beta2M, the quotient urinary beta2M/urinary creatinine and the beta2M fractional excretion were determinated. The filtered beta2M and the percentage of reabsortion were calculated. We observed an increase in the plasmatic concentration of beta2M but not related with a decrease of the glomerular filtration. The urinary beta2M, the beta2M/urinary creatinine relation and the fractional excretion of beta2M were normal. The filtered load of beta2M was elevated without increase in the excretion or percentage of reabsortion. We conclude that in our group of NPH3 carriers, functional changes in the proximal convoluted tubule, when measured by urinary excretion of beta2M, were absent. This finding suggests the existence of other mechanism of uptake or degradation of the substance in the proximal convoluted tubule, which have yet to be elucidated.

Effects of monensin and yeast supplementation on blood acid-base balance in finishing feedlot steers fed a high-grain, high-protein diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two dietary supplements (monensin and a live yeast culture) on acid-base balance in steers maintained in a commercial feedlot system, considering effects over the finishing productive cycle. Steers (no. =42) were allotted randomly to one of the three study groups: (1) control group (no supplementation, C), (2) monensin supplementation (MON), and (3) live Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 47 supplementation (SACC). Venous blood samples were collected for the measurement of acid-base parameters and l-lactate. Production parameters were also used as a complementary tool for understanding the internal changes associated with supplementation. During the finishing period, MON steers tended to gain more efficiently than C and SACC steers. In the C group, the finishing-period diet caused a progressive decline in blood bases, in line with the high-grain diet consumption. In contrast, supplemented animals did not show this trend, although lower HCO3− and base excess values were registered in SACC steers than in MON, indicating that ionophore supplementation is less effective for reducing blood base consumption than yeast supplementation. In our study, the lack of the expected response to yeast supplementation may be attributable to the high crude protein content of the ration, a common feature of commercial feedlot industries.

Diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis by a dot blot assay using a recombinant Paracoccidioides brasiliensis p27 protein

A variety of immunological methods have proven useful for Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) diagnosis; however, they are often time consuming and many lack sensitivity and specificity, partially attributed to the use of crude antigens, which give cross reactivity. Until now, attempts to clone and express Paracoccidioides brasiliensis immunodominant antigens have presented difficulties of process and problems of cost. In an attempt to obtain a more rapid, sensitive, and specific test for PCM diagnosis, we subcloned the P. brasiliensis p27 gene and used the recombinant protein as the antigen in dot blot assays to evaluate its usefulness in paracoccidioidomicosis diagnosis. The development of an optimised procedure for p27 recombinant protein purification and production led to an easier and less expensive process than the one previously used in our laboratory and allowed the availability of enough purified protein for its evaluation as the antigen in the dot blot assays. In these assays, antibodies present in ten serum samples from seven patients with PCM recognised the recombinant protein showing a sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 98%. These results confirm the value of the 27-kDa recombinant antigen in the serodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis and that the dot blot format is an alternative to the immunoenzymatic assay procedure.