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Este estudio se centra en la comparativa de diferentes programas de modelización hidrológica en una cuenca semiárida con el objetivo de proporcionar una evaluación de su desempeño en la simulación de procesos hidrológicos. Para ello, se han evaluado dos programas de modelización distribuida o de enfoque bidimensional (Iber y HEC-RAS), y un programa de modelización semidistribuida (HEC-HMS), considerando tres eventos lluvia registrados en la red de pluviómetros de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura y un evento sintético de período de retorno de 100 años. Adicionalmente, se ha evaluado el comportamiento de los modelos al someter el modelo digital del terreno a cambios para una mejor modelización de la realidad. Los resultados demuestran que, en general, el modelo Iber presenta mayor similitud de los caudales simulados con respecto a los aforados, y que las obstrucciones presentes en las cuencas analizadas, a gran escala no ejercen influencia remarcable en los resultados.

A pesar de los avances significativos logrados en el estudio de los flujos bifásicos agua-aire, existen dudas acerca de la precisión de las campañas experimentales puesto que los equipos suelen obviar la fase de calibración. Las limitaciones inherentes a las técnicas de medición existentes han impulsado la presente investigación. El objetivo de este trabajo es profundizar en el conocimiento del funcionamiento de una sonda de fibra óptica de doble punta, ensayada en un banco de calibración con una fracción de vacío del 32.13%. Para alcanzar esta concentración se ha utilizado un caudal de agua Qw = 2.26 l/s y un caudal de aire Qa = 1.07 l/s. La evolución de las principales variables ha sido analizada en la dirección transversal del chorro, considerando diferentes secciones a distintas distancias respecto a la salida de la tobera. Estas variables incluyen: la fracción de vacío, la frecuencia de cambio de fase, la velocidad, y el diámetro medio de las burbujas de Sauter.

Caracterizar en tiempo real las aguas residuales urbanas es clave para poder garantizar una correcta gestión de los recursos hídricos y la protección del medioambiente. A partir de mediciones indirectas, como la espectroscopía molecular que proporciona información sobre las propiedades físico-químicas del agua, es posible determinar la carga contaminante de las aguas residuales empleando modelos matemáticos de correlación. El presente trabajo compara la regresión lineal multivariable y los modelos de regresión simbólica basados en programación genética, para establecer una correlación con la carga contaminante de las aguas residuales. El estudio se ha centrado en la comparativa de modelos para la caracterización de nitrógeno total, fósforo total y nitrógeno en forma de nitrato, considerando 90 muestras de aguas residuales urbanas. Se observa que la regresión simbólica basada en programación genética proporciona una mejora en el ajuste (R2) de entre el 72.76% y 146.39% respecto a la regresión lineal multivariable.

BackgroundIntra-articular (IA) combined with intra-osseous (IO) infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) have been proposed as an alternative approach to treat patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) and subchondral bone damage. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of IO injections of PRGF to treat acute full depth chondral lesion in a rabbit model by using two histological validated scales (OARSI and ICRS II).MethodologyA total of 40 rabbits were included in the study. A full depth chondral defect was created in the medial femoral condyle and then animals were divided into 2 groups depending on the IO treatment injected on surgery day: control group (IA injection of PRGF and IO injection of saline) and treatment group (IA combined with IO injection of PRGF). Animals were euthanized 56 and 84 days after surgery and the condyles were processed for posterior histological evaluation.ResultsBetter scores were obtained in treatment group in both scoring systems at 56- and 84-days follow-up than in control group. Additionally, longer-term histological benefits have been obtained in the treatment group.ConclusionsThe results suggests that IO infiltration of PRGF enhances cartilage and subchondral bone healing more than the IA-only PRGF infiltration and provides longer-lasting beneficial effects.

This study performs an analysis that will enable the evaluation of the quality, durability, and structure of repaired cartilaginous extracellular matrix tissue using an autologous-based particulated autograft cartilage and platelet-rich plasma treatment (PACI + PRP). A single-blind controlled experiment was conducted on 28 sheep to evaluate the efficacy of the PACI + PRP treatment for cartilage defects. Full-thickness 8 mm diameter defects were created in the weight-bearing area of both knees. The right knees received PACI + PRP. The left knees were treated with Ringer’s lactate solution (RLS) or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. Sheep were euthanized at 9- or 18-months post-surgery. An extensive immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess collagen types (I, II, III, V, VI, IX, X, XI) and aggrecan positivity. A semiquantitative scoring system provided a detailed evaluation of immunostaining. Collagens and aggrecan scores in the PACI + PRP groups were similar to healthy cartilage. Significant differences were found in collagens associated with matrix maturity (II and V), degradation (IX), structure and mechanics (VI), and hypertrophy (X) between healthy cartilage and RLS- or HA-repaired cartilage. The PACI + PRP treatment advanced the repair cartilage process in chondral defects with mature hyaline cartilage and enhanced the structural and mechanical qualities with better consistent cartilage, less susceptible to degradation and without hypertrophic formation over time.

IntroductionFeline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a chronic disease that leads to the weakening of a cat's immune system. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers therapeutic effects for multiple diseases, the use of PRP and growth factors (GFs) determination could be an alternative treatment to improve the quality of life in these patients. The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the concentration of platelets (PLTs), red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) between samples of whole blood (WB), PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) fractions, and to evaluate the concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in both fractions in FeLV cats using a PRGF®-Endoret® protocol previously standardized in this species.MethodsWB was collected from 11 asymptomatic FeLV-positive cats. PRP and PPP was obtained following PRGF®-Endoret® technology according to centrifugation at 265 g for 10 min. Cellular components, RBCs, WBCs, PLTs, and the PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 concentrations in PRP and PPP fractions were determined.ResultsPLT in the PRP fraction was statistically higher than WB and PPP fraction, with no statistical differences between WB and PPP. PLT concentration increased 1.4 times in PRP fraction compared to WB. Mean platelet volume (MPV) did not differ significantly between the WB, PRP, and PPP fractions. Compared to WB, the absolute numbers of RBCs and WBCs were decreased by 99% and more than 95% in the PRP and PPP fractions, respectively. TGF-ß1 concentrations increased in PRP vs. PPP, with no changes in PDGF-BB.DiscussionBased on the degree of PLT enrichment and the absence of RBCs and WBCs, this blood product could be classified as a Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma (P-PRP). The presence of GFs in PRP and PPP samples suggests that the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology is suitable for obtaining PRP in FeLV cats, despite future studies are necessary to optimize the technique, standardize the results and assess clinical efficacy.

IntroductionIntra-articular infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) are known to inhibit osteoarthritis progression. However, in severely affected patients, the treatment cannot reach the deeper layers of the articular cartilage; thus, its potential is limited. To overcome this limitation, intra-osseous infiltrations have been suggested. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of intra-osseous infiltration therapies on serum biomarkers of osteoarthritis and to assess cartilage regeneration macroscopically.Materials and methodsA total of 80 rabbits were divided into four groups based on the intra-osseous treatment administered on the day of surgery: control, PRGF, AMSCs and a combination of PRGF + AMSCs. In addition, all groups received a single intra-articular administration of PRGF on the same day. Serum biomarker levels were measured before infiltration and 28-, 56-, and 84-days post infiltration, and macroscopical assessment was conducted at 56- and 84-days follow-up post infiltration.ResultsIn the PRGF + AMSCs group, significantly lower concentrations of hyaluronic acid and type II collagen cleavage neoepitope were recorded at all time points during the study, followed by PRGF, AMSCs and control groups. Regarding macroscopical assessment, lower scores were obtained in PRGF + AMSCs group at all study times.DiscussionThe results suggest that the combination of intra-articular PRGF with intra-osseous PRGF or AMSCs achieves better results in rabbits with acute chondral defects and that intra-osseous infiltration is a safe procedure.

IntroductionPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous plasma with platelet (PLT) concentration above that of whole blood (WB). PLTs contain growth factors (GFs) that promote tissular repair.ObjectivesTo determine and compare the concentrations of PLT, red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) between WB samples, PRP and platelet poor plasma (PPP) samples; and to analyze the concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the PRP and PPP of healthy adult cats using a standardized protocol with PRGF®-Endoret® characteristics.Material and MethodsWB was collected from 30 cats. PRP was obtained following three centrifugation protocols using PRGF®-Endoret® technology: 255, 260, and 265 g for 10 min each. The cellular components, RBC, WBC, PLT, and the concentrations of PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 in the PRP and PPP fractions were determined for each protocol.ResultsPLTs in the PRP fraction were statistically higher than WB, with no statistical differences between PPP and WB. In PRP fraction, PLT concentration was increased 1.4 times on average at 255 g; 1.3 times at 260 g and, 1.5 times at 265 g without statistical differences among them. The mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly higher in WB compared to PRP and PPP fractions without significant differences between protocols. Compared to WB, the number of RBCs and WBCs was reduced by 99% and by more than 95% in PRP and PPP respectively, without significant differences between protocols. PDGF-BB concentrations were statistically higher in PRP than in PPP fractions, however, TGF-ß1 concentrations did not vary between fractions at 260 g. Comparing the three protocols within PRP and PPP fractions, no differences in PDGF-BB and TGF-ß1 concentrations were observed.Clinical RelevanceThe study shows scientific evidence regarding the obtention of PRP in cats using the PRGF®-Endoret® technology for the quantification of PDGF-BB and TGF-ß1. At 265 g for 10 min, PLT concentration was increased 1.5 times with unnoticeable erythrocytes and leukocytes in the samples. These results clearly show that the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology is suitable to obtain PRP in cats. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of the obtained PGRF in the treatment of different pathologies in cats.

The objective of this study was to assess the ability of experimental advanced breeding clones as parental genotypes to transmit agronomic and quality traits to their progenies in breeding programs. A half diallel set of crosses (excluding reciprocals) with six parents was assayed in field trials for three years; four of the parents were Solanumtuberosum subsp. tuberosum cultivars, and two of them were advanced breeding clones that included genes from S. tuberosum subsp. andigenum with immunity to PVY virus and good agronomic performance. However, no information was available about the behavior of these clones as parental materials for quality traits, such as potato chip quality. The diallel mating design allowed us to discover their ability to transmit agronomic and quality traits to their offspring. Significant effects on general combining ability and specific combining ability were found for plant maturity, only general combining ability effects for specific gravity were found, and interactions of both general combining ability and specific combining ability with the environment for the chip color trait were found. However, no genetic effects were detected for yield. Where general combining ability significant effects were found, additive genetic effects are predominant; thus, so for those traits, it would be possible to use these genotypes as parents to obtain improved progenies. Such abilities were not found in the advanced breeding clones.