Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

A research was done of the infection dynamics of the protozoan parasite Cystoisospora suis in lactating piglets at an intensive swine pilot farm in Venezuela. Over a 12-mo period (September 2015 to August 2016), 480 fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum in piglets in four age groups: 1-7 d (20 %); 8-14 d (47 %); 15-21 d (23 %); and 22-28 d (10 %). Stool samples were cultured in a 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and later processed by centrifugation-flotation. Cystoisospora suis was present throughout the study period with a 52.08 % overall average prevalence; values were highest in the second week of life. Meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity and precipitation) had no effect (P>0.05) on variations in C. suis prevalence. Data from an epidemiological questionnaire were analyzed with a Spearman correlation test, identifying an association (P<0.05) between prevalence and the variables of on-site veterinarian, an intense disinfection protocol and use of 5% Baycox. Regional meteorological conditions are optimal for C. suis sporulation and year round maintenance of oocysts. This coupled with inconsistent control and hygiene protocols at the studied farm favored parasite survival and proliferation.

As genotyping costs continue to decrease, the demand for genotyping has increased among farmers. In most livestock herds, an important issue is controlling the increase in inbreeding coefficient. While this remains a large motive to genotype, producers are often unaware of the other benefits that genotyping could bring. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that SNP chips could be used as an effective herd management tool by utilizing a population of Italian Holstein-Friesian cattle. After filtering, the total number of animals and SNPs retained for analyses were 44 and 27,365, respectively. The principal component analyses (PCA) were able to identify a sire and origin-of-sire effect within the herd, while determining that sires do not influence individual genomic selection index values. The inbreeding coefficients calculated from genotypes (FIS) provided a glimpse into the herd’s heterozygosity and determined that the genetic variability is being well maintained. On the other hand, inbreeding coefficients on the genomic level were deduced from runs of homozygosity (FROH) and were compared to the inbreeding coefficients based on pedigree (FPED). Furthermore, 1,950 runs of homozygosity (ROH) were identified with the average length of ROH being 4.66 Mb. Genes and QTL within the genomic regions most commonly associated (top 1% and top 5% of SNP) with ROH were characterized. These results indicate that genotyping small herds, albeit at low-density, provides insights to the genetic variability within the herd and thus allows producers the ability to manage their stock from a genetic standpoint.

Reticular groove closure in ruminants is a primary mechanism, almost exclusive of lactating animals, which makes the passage of food from the orifice of cardia to the abomasum possible, thus avoiding unwanted fermentations in rumen and reticulum. In this review It is described some anatomical and physiological aspects of the reticular groove, given its embryonic and postnatal development, its topographic location, structure, innervation, blood circulation and histology. Also describing the techniques used to study its functioning, both direct and indirect methods. Finally there is a concentrate on handling techniques to manipulate closing reflex of reticular groove and its veterinary applications, in both the stimulation and inhibition, since the possibility to control this reflex is of great interest in the oral administration of various drugs, the treatment of certain diseases, as well as a better utilization of some types of food.

Information on consumer acceptance of and preference for a product are vital to developing marketing strategies. An analysis was done of consumer acceptance of and preference for Queso Bola de Ocosingo, an artisanal cheese, aged for one of three periods: fresh, 21 d and 45 d. Sensory testing panels were organized at three food-related scenarios: a gourmet foods event; a rural culture fair; and a culinary exhibition. A total of ninety (90) panelists participated. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were applied to the data. Comparisons of panelist responses considering the scenarios and panelist socioeconomic characteristics found that panelists reporting lower income and educational levels more highly valued visual characteristics and preferred fresher cheeses. Panelists reporting higher income and educational levels appreciated cheese aroma and taste attributes influenced by aging period. Queso Bola de Ocosingo has production and cultural characteristics in common with other artisanal cheeses produced in Mexico, and promoting its consumption can contribute to preserving the country’s culinary heritage.

Se evaluó el efecto de la inclusión de diferentes niveles (0, 10, 20 y 30 %) de grano seco de destilería con solubles (DDGS), sobre la calidad de la canal y de la carne de conejos en crecimiento, utilizando 56 conejos (Negro Azteca x Chinchilla) de 40 días de edad. Terminado el período de ceba, se sacrificaron 20 conejos (5 por tratamiento) y se determinó la proporción de la canal conformada por las extremidades anteriores, extremidades posteriores, costillas y lomo. Se determinó el peso total de carne, hueso y grasa del lomo, y se calculó la relación carne:hueso para toda la canal. Se realizó la evaluación sensorial de la carne con 46 panelistas que valoraron el olor, color, sabor y textura. En el músculo Longissimus dorsi se determinó el color, evaluando la luminosidad (L*), el índice de rojo (a*) y el índice de amarillos (b*). Además, se evaluó textura mediante medición de la fuerza de ruptura. Los resultados de calidad de la canal y de la carne se analizaron por medio de ANOVA. Los resultados de la evaluación sensorial seevaluaron con estadística no paramétrica. No hubo diferencias (P>0.05) en las mediciones de la canal, características organolépticas ni textura de la carne. El parámetro b* del color de la carne fue mayor (P<0.05) en las dietas con 10, 20 y 30 % de DDGS (11.77, 12.17 y 12.22 respectivamente) comparado con la dieta control (9.68). La evaluación sensorial evidenció que la carne de conejo con o sin DDGS tuvo un olor y sabor agradable, color pálido y textura suave. Se concluyó que la inclusión de DDGS hasta 30 % en la dieta, no afectó las características de la canal ni de la carne de los conejos.

La preferencia de productos puede ser influenciada por valores humanos específicos y creencias individuales, entre otros factores. El propósito de la investigación fue identificar la influencia directa e indirecta de los valores humanos, mediados a través de los atributos tangibles, sobre la aceptación de los quesos Bola de Ocosingo y Crema de Chiapas. Se aplicaron encuestas a muestras (n1= 200; n2= 230) de consumidores chiapanecos, para cada variedad de queso. Se obtuvieron coeficientes de correlación (R1) de regresiones de factores seleccionados de un análisis factorial de atributos tangibles y la frecuencia de consumo. Se calculó el R2, de las regresiones del consumo y los factores seleccionados de los valores humanos, junto con factores residuales de atributos tangibles. Los factores de solo los valores humanos y el consumo proporcionaron el R3. La influencia directa de los valores humanos en el consumo del queso se obtuvo restando R2 de R1 (cambio en R) y la influencia indirecta de la diferencia entre el coeficiente R3 y el cambio en R. La influencia directa no resultó significativa en el Queso Bola de Ocosingo, pero sí en el Queso Crema de Chiapas, por lo que los valores predijeron el consumo de este último queso más allá de la importancia de los atributos tangibles. Los valores motivacionales importantes en ambas muestras de consumidores fueron Benevolencia y Seguridad, adicionalmente, los consumidores del queso Crema de Chiapas presentaron el Poder y el Universalismo; mientras que los del queso Bola de Ocosingo mostraron al Hedonismo, como un valor suplementario.

Administration of monensin to dairy cows during the transition period may improve cow health, although this is debated. An evaluation of the effects of an intraruminal controlled-released bolus of monensin on health and milk production in transition Holstein cows was done in a Chilean dairy farm. Seventy-seven (77) cows at 21 d before expected parturition were randomly assigned to either a treatment (n= 37) or a control (n= 40) group. The treatment group received a controlled-release oral bolus that delivered sodium monensin at a rate of 335 mg/d for about 95 d. For the first 10 days postpartum cows were clinically examined daily. From 21 d prepartum to 21 d postpartum, data were collected, considering the presence of fever (t°≥ 39.5 °C), postpartum diseases, weekly blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations, and body condition score. Comparisons of milk production, milk solids (protein and fat percentage) and somatic cell counts (SCC) during the first 100 d of lactation were conducted. Blood BHB concentrations (mmol/L) were similar between groups (P>0.05). No differences were observed on the incidences of ketosis, fever, puerperal metritis, or retained fetal membranes. Endometritis tended to be less frequent in the treatment group than the control group (P=0.08). Monensin did not significantly improve milk yield, fat content, or SCC content. However, cows treated with monensin produced milk with higher protein content during the first week postpartum than the control group (P<0.05). Treated cows also exhibited better improvement on body condition score (P<0.05) between dry-off and parturition and minor losses on body condition score (P<0.05) between parturition and 21 d postpartum than control group. 

Introduction: Microsurgical techniques are currently applied in different surgical specialties worldwide. During the 90´s, our center began to implement vascular and nerve microsurgery trainings to specialists and national and foreign residents, respectively. Objective: To evaluate the results of microsurgery training that it is taught in the Center for Experimental Surgery at "Victoria de Girón" Institute of Basic and Pre-Clinical Sciences.Material and methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out to evaluate the microsurgery training program. The training was divided into three main parts:  theoretical lessons; practices upon the latex simulator; end-to-end anastomosis of small intestine on the rat; and finally, the development of basic microsurgical techniques on different vascular structures (abdominal aorta and vein) and the sciatic nerve of the rat, for a total of 90 hours of training.  The total enrollment during the mentioned period was 203 students to whom a survey was applied at the end of the training; also, the time of realization of anastomosis and the vascular permeability were measured and evaluated as Bad, Good, and Excellent.Results: The results were satisfactory in general, but 90% of students that were carrying out their studies of a surgical specialty showed better skills in a shorter period than those that didn't practice surgery, demonstrating a less time-consuming exercise in the realization of vessel anastomosis and obtaining a good vascular permeability in this group.Conclusions: This teaching method constitutes a useful tool so that the students develop the necessary skills to carry out microsurgical practices in clinical surgery successfully.Keywords: Microsurgery, microsurgical training, microsurgical teaching method, microsurgical techniques, vascular microsuture, nervous microsuture, end-to-end microsutute.

Introduction: A lot of works presented in scientific events don't conclude the cycle of research with their respective publications.Objective: To characterize the works presented in national medical student forums carried out in Cuba in 2016 and 2017 and to identify the factors associated with their publication.Material and Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study that evaluated the characteristics of the works presented was conducted. A Google Scholar search strategy was carried out in order to check if these works had been published in scientific journals. Prevalence ratios (PR), 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) and p values using generalized linear models were obtained.Results: Of the 537 works, 272 (50,65 %) were presented in the presence-based modality; 2 works (0,37 %) were presented in English; 420 (78,21 %) were research works, and 1 (0,24 %) was a multicentric study. Internal Medicine was the work session with the greatest number of presentations (n=110; 20,48 %), the greatest number of works had three authors (n=351; 65,36 %) and one tutor/advisor (n=249; 46,37 %). The publication frequency was 11,55 % (n=62); only 11 works (17,74 %) were cited and 52 (83,87 %) had changes in authorship. In the bivariated analysis, topics related with Dentistry (PR: 6.59; CI 95 %: 1,58-27,5; p=0,010) and surgical sciences (PR: 4,52; CI 95 %: 1,03-19,8; p=0,045) had greatest publication frequency in scientific journals.Conclusions: Only one in ten works presented in national medical student forums is published. New strategies should be implemented and the existing ones should be reinforced in order to increase the publication rate of the works presented.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer currently has the sixth highest incidence worldwide. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a small deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus with more than 200 subtypes. Remarkable features have been reported in head and neck cancer according to HPV status. Histopathologically, cancer with positive HPV tends to be a poorly differentiated basaloid and keratinized histologic type tumor.Objective: To present the relationship between HPV- associated head and neck cancer (subtypes 16 and 18) in a young patient, describing the surgical approach performed; to show the results of the clinical practice taking into account the staging, the depth of the invasion, and the treatment received; and to assess the oncological outcome and the patient's satisfaction with esthetic and function.Case Presentation: A 40-year-old male patient is presented. He reports no history of smoking, but occasional alcohol intake, and the practice of oro-genital sexual habits in bisexual relationships.  He also has a family history of cancer. The patient presents a localized ulceration in the lateral border of the tongue. The histopathological diagnosis indicated infiltrating large keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusions: Associated risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption are decisive on the outcome of this type of cancer, so the diagnosis and progression of the disease in this group of positive HPV subjects requires a different approach from the commonly implemented one.Keywords: Neoplasia, surgery, histopathology, papillomaviridae, sexual behavior.