Genetic characterization of domestic pigs in the core zone of swine production of Argentina

Argentina is a small player in the global pork market, contributing only 0.7% of the total production. With increasing global demand for meat, there is an opportunity for countries with an agricultural profile to grow their pork production. However, there is a need to understand the current state of the pork production sector in all aspects to inform decision-making. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize pig herds from different production strata in the primary region for pork production in the country. For this purpose, phylogenetic and genetic variability analyses were performed using the mitochondrial control region marker (n=95 pig samples). Moreover, genotyping of ryr1 and PRKAG3 genes (n=108 pig samples) were performed to evaluate the frequency of deleterious alleles for meat quality traits in the region. The results showed high levels of genetic variability in the pig herds (Hd= 0.840 ± 0.031 and π= 0.010 ± 0.001), with a creole sow and Iberian lineage standing out in the phylogeny. The genotyping of the ryr1 marker revealed the presence of the deleterious t allele in all analyzed strata. However, the RN-allele of the PRKAG3 gene was detected only in the two lower strata. This study represents the first analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among domestic pigs from Argentina and provides an initial assessment of genetic variability in the region. Additionally, the results present, for the first time, the frequency of deleterious alleles for pig production in the productive core area, demonstrating their prevalence.

Long-term results of genital prolapse surgery with polypropylene mesh

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The risk of intervention due to urogenital prolapse in a woman's life is 11.1%. Recurrences after classic surgery reach up to 38%. With the aim of improving these results, transvaginal mesh kits are used. The purpose of the study is to describe the results of efficacy and long-term safety of vaginal prolapse surgery with polypropylene mesh, assess subjective symptoms before and after surgery and the level of satisfaction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive, retrospective study of 58 women with symptomatic genital prolapses operated with polypropylene mesh between September / 2011-November / 2016. Mean age: 66.53 years, 98.27% menopausal women, 77.59% overweight/obesity, 29.31% with previous gynaecological surgery and 55.17% with combined prolapse. 46 Elevate anterior and 12 posterior were inserted. The mean follow-up period was 34.02 months. The PFDI questionnaire was used pre and post-surgery, as well as the satisfaction questionnaire.

RESULTS

Healing rate of 91.38%. Recurrences were associated with a higher BMI and with background of recurrence of previous surgery. Mean length of stay: 2.5 days. 70.69% did not need analgesia at discharge. Clavien-Dindo complications: 1 type I (urinary retention), 5 type II (urinary tract infection) and 1 type IIIa (erosion). De novo stress urinary incontinence occurred in 3.44%, while de novo dyspareunia 14.28%. 89.36% patients improved subjective symptoms, and 95.92% were satisfied.

CONCLUSION

This surgery achieves high healing rates, with few complications, improvement of subjective symptoms and high level of satisfaction of the patients.

[Producing intravenous medications in a pharmacy]

The authors explain the different intravenous mixtures and the types of preloaded syringes elaborated in a centralized unit, analysing their profitability and evaluating their repercussion on the daily work nurses have to perform. This study was carried out in the Hospital de Poniente in Almeria, a county hospital which has 165 beds. The hospital authorities defined those medications which were chosen to be prepared in a centralized unit in the Pharmacy Service of the hospital and they drew up a list/guide of their corresponding conservation conditions. The authorities determined the time which nursing personnel in the various hospital units would employ in the elaboration of these medications and compared that with the time employed in the Pharmacy Service.

[Opinion of primary care physicians from Ourense on various features of the pharmaceutical prescription]

BACKGROUND

To learn the opinion of the primary care Physicians of Ourense (Spain) with respect to certain aspects of their prescription of medicines, such as their awareness of the price of drugs, the induced prescribing perceived, their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and their opinions concerning possible measures for reducing the expenditure on medicines.

METHODS

In this transversal descriptive study, all of the primary care physicians in the province of Ourense (243) were surveyed by means of a previously-approved questionnaire sent to them by post. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics of the physicians, the influence of cost when prescribing medicines, their estimate of the price of 15 drugs routinely prescribed and their opinion on different aspects relating to induced prescription, the pharmaceutical industry and different strategies in order to curtail the expenditure on medicines. In order to analyze the results, the chi 2 and Student's t tests and an analysis of the variance were used, together with the Spearman correlation coefficient with alpha = 0.05.

RESULTS

The level of participation of the physicians surveyed was 42.8% (104). The average daily duration of visits by pharmaceutical company representatives was 13.6 minutes, with new specialities being the topic of greatest interest. Close to 27% admitted to having participated in clinical testing sponsored by the industry. 23% considered the price to be a priority when prescribing. Induced prescription accounted for 39.7% of the total. The majority of physicians chose co-payment as the means for reducing expenditure on medicines. In the estimate of prices, the overall percentage of error was 45.7%, underestimating the more expensive medicines and overestimating the less expensive.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant lack of awareness of the price of drugs among the primary care physicians. Most of the physicians do not feel that the price of a drug should be a priority when prescribing medicines. There is a high percentage of induced prescription perceived. With regard to the expenditure on pharmaceuticals, the majority of those surveyed feel that financial measures, specifically co-payment, are the most effective in order to curtail rising costs.

Control of primary hypertension by pharmacologic monotherapy in primary care

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the control degree and characteristics of arterial pressure (AP) obtained with monotherapy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A sample was obtained of 277 hypertensive patients (83 men and 194 women) on monotherapy from cluster sampling. All included patients were older than 18 years and had essential hypertension (HBP). Both systolic and diastolic pressure values (mean of two measurements), prescribed drug, age and sex were recorded.

RESULTS

Less than 30% of subjects had adequate control (< 140/90), mainly because of poor control of systolic BP. The drug group most commonly was ACEI, followed by calcium blockers (CAB); enalapril and chlortalidone were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Diuretics were used most frequently by women (OR 4.2). The use of diuretics, calcium channel antagonists and alphaadrenergic blockers increased with age. The opposite was true for ACEI and beta blockers.

CONCLUSIONS

A poor control of HBP in patients on monotherapy was observed, particularly for the systolic component. There is a higher use of ACEI and HBP. There is a highly significant difference regarding the use of diuretics between men and women which has no theoretical basis.

[Personalized appointments as a recruitment method for anti-flu vaccination in the elderly]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of personal appointments for increasing flu vaccine coverage in over-65s who showed no intention of being vaccinated of their own accord.

DESIGN

Controlled, intervention study, single-blind and with randomised distribution.

SETTING

Primary health centre.

PARTICIPANTS

Population over 65 in the municipality of San Cristovo de Cea (Ourense) who had not been vaccinated after three-quarters of the flu vaccine campaign had elapsed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

After three-quarters of the flu vaccine campaign, a randomised sample (n = 162) was taken from the over-65 population not vaccinated (N = 640). These 162 were sent a personal letter reminding them of the vaccination campaign, the personal risk they ran and advising them to be vaccinated. They were given an appointment time. During the remaining 14 days of the campaign, all the vaccinations continued to be monitored. Afterwards, the control group and those who had received the intervention were compared. 28 people were vaccinated, 19 from the intervention group (11.7%) and 9 from the control group (1.9%) (RR = 6.2; 95% CI, 2.9-13.5; FA = 84%). There were no significant differences between sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Personal appointments were effective in increasing vaccine coverage, even among people at first reluctant to be vaccinated, the group at which the intervention should be aimed.