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Good strategical programs are required for the early detection of disease even in the absence of evident clinical signs, which is crucial in satisfying animal welfare. Haptoglobin (Hp) and inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) are acute phase proteins and good biomarkers of early inflammation in cattle, with plasma levels that significantly increase after injury or infection.We aimed to develop and validate two new immunoturbidimetric methods for Hp and ITIH4.Species-specific antibodies were obtained and used to develop the immunoassays. For the Hp assay, antibodies were fixed to latex microparticles to enhance detection. The immunoassays were set up in an automated analyzer to carry out validation studies. Reference intervals were calculated using Reference Value Advisor.The Hp immunoturbidimetric method had a linear analytical range up to 0.40 mg/mL. The limit of detection (LoD) was 0.005 mg/mL, and the limit of quantification (LoQ) was 0.007 mg/mL. Total imprecision was less than 7%. Comparison with ELISA and single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) showed good correlation, whereas the comparison with the colorimetric method showed constant and proportional differences. The ITIH4 immunoassay showed linearity up to 5 mg/mL, and the LoD was 0.002 mg/mL. Total imprecision was less than 6%. Method comparison showed a good correlation with single radial immunodiffusion, both methods being equivalent. Bilirubin, triglycerides, and hemoglobin presented no interference in any of the assays. Reference intervals were 0.007-0.017 mg/mL for Hp and 0.2-0.7 mg/mL for ITIH4 in dairy cows 10 days before parturition.Immunoturbidimetric methods developed for Hp and ITIH4 can measure basal and increased levels of these proteins, showing adequate precision, accuracy, and robustness.

The ancient ksar of Chinguetti was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is located in West Africa, on one of the most important caravan trading routes, in use from the eighth century until the beginning of the twentieth century. The trans-Sahara traffic – mainly based on products such as salt, gold and ivory – also fostered cultural development along the route. As commercial, cultural and religious contacts were established over the centuries, manuscripts were constantly being written, copied, carried, bought and sold. Following a failed attempt to build a museum to house Chinguetti’s most important manuscripts in 2000, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) decided to restore every traditional library within the ksar, the actual places where the ancient manuscripts have been kept for generations. Terrachidia NGO has spearheaded the Libraries Preservation Project, using traditional building techniques and local materials and labour to carry out these restorations.

La malaria es una enfermedad parasitaria causada por protozoos del género Plasmodium y transmitida por vectores del género Anopheles . En 2019 esta enfermedad se cobró la vida de más de 400.000 personas, de las cuales un 94 % se concentraban en la región de África. Uno de los principales problemas en el control de la malaria es la aparición de resistencias frente a los diferentes fármacos que existen, es por ello que es necesario el desarrollo de alternativas antimaláricas eficaces. En este estudio se ha aplicado la topología molecular a una serie de compuestos análogos de la 4-anilinoquinolina con actividad inhibitoria de la proliferación de 3 cepas de Plasmodium falciparum, una sensible a la cloroquina (D6) y dos resistentes (W2 y C235); para así desarrollar un modelo de relación cuantitativa estructura-actividad QSAR que permita predecir la actividad de los compuestos frente a cada una de ellas. Utilizando el análisis lineal discriminante se seleccionaron tres funciones que clasificaron correctamente el 87 % de los compuestos analizados en la cepa D6, en la W2 y en la C235, respectivamente. Para la validación del modelo se empleó un test interno del tipo leave some out para cada una de las funciones. Por último, se aplicó el modelo en la búsqueda de nuevos compuestos antimaláricos potencialmente activos frente a las tres cepas. Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by the Plasmodium protozoa and transmitted by vector of the genus Anopheles . In 2019, this disease claimed the lives of more than 400.000 people, of which 94 % are concentrated in the African region. One of the main problems with malaria control is parasite resistance to the different drugs that exist, which is why it is necessary to develop effective antimalarial alternatives. In this study, molecular topology was applied to 4-anilinoquinoline analogs with proliferation inhibitory activity of 3 Plasmodium falciparum strains, one chloroquine sensitive (D6) and two chloroquine resistant (W2 and C235); in order to develop a quantitative structure-activity (QSAR) model to predict the activity of the compounds against each of them. Using linear discriminant analysis, three functions were selected that correctly classified 87 % of the compounds analyzed in strain D6, W2 and C235, respectively. The leave some out test was carried out to validate this model. Finally, the model was applied to search for new antimalarial compounds potentially active against all three strains. Ciencias Experimentales

In pre-weaning calves, both leucine and threonine play important roles in growth and muscle metabolism. In this study, metabolomics, proteomics and clinical chemistry were used to assess the effects of leucine and threonine supplementation added to milk replacer on 14 newborn Holstein male calves: 7 were fed a control diet (Ctrl) and 7 were fed the Ctrl diet supplemented with 0.3% leucine and 0.3% threonine (LT) from 5.6 days of age to 53.6 days. At this time, blood and semitendinosus muscle biopsies were collected for analysis. Integrated metabolomics and proteomics showed that branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) degradation and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism (citrate cycle and respiratory chain) were the main activated pathways in muscle because of the supplementation. BCAA derivatives and metabolites related to lipid mobilization showed the major changes. The deleterious effects of activated oxidative phosphorylation were balanced by the upregulation of antioxidant proteins. An increase in protein synthesis was indicated by elevated aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and increased S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation in skeletal muscle. In conclusion, LT group showed greater BCAA availability and mitochondrial oxidative activity; as the muscle cells undergo greater aerobic metabolism, antioxidant defenses were activated to compensate for possible cell damage. Data are available via ProteomeXchange ( PXD016098 ). Significance Leucine and threonine are essential amino acids for the pre-weaning calf, being of high importance for growth. In this study, we found that leucine and threonine supplementation of milk replacer to feed pre-weaning calves led to differences in the proteome, metabolome and clinical chemistry analytes in skeletal muscle and plasma, albeit no differences in productive performance were recorded. This study extends our understanding on the metabolism in dairy calves and helps optimizing their nutritional status.

In dogs, as in humans, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein that is rapidly and prominently increased after exposure to inflammatory stimuli. CRP measurements are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious and inflammatory diseases.The study aim was to develop and validate a turbidimetric immunoassay for the quantification of canine CRP (cCRP), using canine-specific reagents and standards.A particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay was developed. The assay was set up in a fully automated analyzer, and studies of imprecision, limits of linearity, limits of detection, prozone effects, and interferences were carried out. The new method was compared with 2 other commercially available automated immunoassays for cCRP: one turbidimetric immunoassay (Gentian CRP) and one point-of-care assay based on magnetic permeability (Life Assays CRP).The within-run and between-day imprecision were1.7% and 4.2%, respectively. The assay quantified CRP proportionally in an analytic range up to 150 mg/L, with a prozone effect appearing at cCRP concentrations320 mg/L. No interference from hemoglobin (20 g/L), triglycerides (10 g/L), or bilirubin (150 mg/L) was detected. Good agreement was observed between the results obtained with the new method and the Gentian cCRP turbidimetric immunoassay.The new turbidimetric immunoassay (Turbovet canine CRP, Acuvet Biotech) is a rapid, robust, precise, and accurate method for the quantification of cCRP. The method can be easily set up in automated analyzers, providing a suitable tool for routine clinical use.

Detection of cortisol is one of the most widely used methods to assess stress in animals because it provides information about hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. The most common biological samples are plasma, saliva, urine, feces, milk, and hair. Hair cortisol analysis could be a good noninvasive procedure to detect chronic stress because cortisol is incorporated and stored inside growing hair. The aim of this study was to determine whether cortisol could be detected in pig hair and could serve as a proper chronic stress indicator. Hair samples from 2 regions (craniodorsal [D] and dorsolumbar [L]) of 20 crossbred entire male pigs were taken at 8 and 22 weeks of age. The pigs were subjected to a weekly remixing procedure. The mean cortisol level for the hair samples was 19.30 ± 0.63 pg/mg (range, 6.4-43.88). Hair for second sampled day had higher cortisol values ( P = 0.002) than hair from first sampled day. Furthermore, L region had higher values than D region at every age measurement ( P P = 0.019) and region L (r = 0.523; P P P

Background/Aim: Using a within-subjects, within-wound care design, this pilot study tested for the first time, whether immersive virtual reality (VR) can serve as an adjunctive non-opioid analgesic for children with large severe burn wounds during burn wound cleaning in the ICU, in a regional burn center in the United States, between 2014–2016.Methods: Participants included 48 children from 6 years old to 17 years of age with >10% TBSA burn injuries reporting moderate or higher worst pain during no VR on Day 1. Forty-four of the 48 children were from developing Latin American countries. Patients played adjunctive SnowWorld, an interactive 3D snowy canyon in virtual reality during some portions of wound care, vs. No VR during comparable portions of the same wound care session (initial treatment condition randomized). Using Graphic Rating scales, children's worst pain ratings during “No VR” (treatment as usual pain medications) vs. their worst pain during “Yes VR” was measured during at least 1 day of wound care, and was measured for up to 10 study days the patient used VR.Results: VR significantly reduced children's “worst pain” ratings during burn wound cleaning procedures in the ICU on Day 1. Worst pain during No VR = 8.52 (SD = 1.75) vs. during Yes VR = 5.10 (SD = 3.27), t(47) = 7.11, p < 0.001, SD = 3.33, CI = 2.45–4.38, Cohen's d = 1.03 (indicating large effect size). Patients continued to report the predicted pattern of lower pain and more fun during VR, during multiple sessions.Conclusion: Immersive virtual reality can help reduce the pain of children with large severe burn wounds during burn wound cleaning in the Intensive Care Unit. Additional research and development is recommended.

Chemical neurotransmitters (NT) are principal actors in all neuronal networks of animals. The central nervous system plays an important role in stress susceptibility and organizes the response to a stressful situation through the interaction of the dopaminergic and the serotonergic pathways, leading to the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). This study was designed to investigate: a) the effects of stressful handling of pigs at the slaughterhouse on the neurotransmitter profile in four brain areas: amygdala, prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus and hypothalamus, and b) whether the alterations in the brain NT profile after stressful handling were associated with fear, determined by the tonic immobility (TI) test. In the first place, the characterization of the NT profile allowed to distinguish the four brain areas in a principal component analysis. The most crucial pathway involved in the reaction of pigs to a stressful handling was the serotonergic system, and changes were observed in the amygdala with a decrease in serotonin (5-HT) and total indoleamines, and in the hippocampus, where this pathway was activated. Fearful and non-fearful pigs did not show significant differences in their NT profile in control conditions, but when subjected to a stressful handling in the slaughterhouse, fearful animals showed a significant variation in the serotonin pathway and, in a lesser extent, the dopamine (DA) pathway. In conclusion, the existence of an underlying biological trait - possibly fearfulness - may be involved in the pig's response toward stressful challenges, and the serotonergic system seems to play a central role in this response.

Cognitive bias (CB) has been recently proposed as a tool to study emotions by assessing the cognitive function through behaviour observation. It is based on the premise that subjects in a negative affective state perform more negative judgements about ambiguous stimuli than subjects in positive affective state. This study aimed at investigating if halothane genotype (homozygous Hal-free, NN vs. heterozygous Hal carrier, Nn) and gender (gilts, G vs. entire males, EM) affect the CB in pigs. Moreover, the results of the CB test (CBT) were compared with the results of a novel object test (NOT) in order to assess the influence of fear in the decision taken by pigs during the CBT. The results of both tests were contrasted with the concentration of brain neurotransmitters in four different brain areas in order to analyse the involvement of the dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways on the pigs’ affective state and fear. A total of 48 pigs, in terms of 12Hal-free gilts (NNG), 12Hal carrier gilts (NnG), and 12Hal-free entire males (NNEM) and 12Hal carrier entire males (NnEM) were put on the CBT at the age of 20 weeks and on the NOT four days later. After two days, pigs were slaughtered and four brain structures (amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus) were dissected for the analysis of brain neurotransmitters. The CBT and NOT results did not show any effect of the genotype and gender or their interaction on pigs’ emotional response ( p > 0.10). However, the CBT correlated positively with the NOT ( r = 0.49; p = 0.0005), with pigs classified with a negative CB tending to be more fearful in front of the novel object than those with a positive CB ( p = 0.05). Moreover, the pigs that took longer to get in contact with the novel object in the NOT also had lower ( p = 0.013) concentration of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex and increased DOPAC/dopamine ratio in the hypothalamus ( p = 0.003). These results suggest that fear level plays an important role in the decision taken by the pig dealing with ambiguous stimuli.

How housing and transport conditions may affect welfare in porcine production is a leading topic in livestock research. This study investigated whether pigs present a different neurological response to management conditions and to ascertain whether pigs living partially outdoors cope differently with road transport-associated stress. Twenty-four female pigs were divided in two groups: one living indoors (ID, n = 12) and the other housed combining indoor conditions with 4 hours per day of outdoor pasture (OD, n = 12). After one month, one set of animals from each housing condition were driven in a truck to the slaughterhouse in low-stress conditions (5 min drive, no mixing groups, soft management, LS group, n = 12) or high-stress conditions (2 hours drive, mixing groups, harsh management, HS group, n = 12). At the slaughterhouse, blood was collected, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HC) dissected. OD pigs had lower serum haptoglobin and increased dopaminergic pathway (DA-system) in the PFC, suggesting that living outdoors increases their wellbeing. HS conditions increased serum creatine kinase (CK) and affected several brain pathways: activation of the noradrenergic (NA-system) and DA -system in the PFC and the activation of the DA-system and an increase in c-Fos as well as a decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the HC. The serotonergic system (5-HT-system) was mildly altered in both areas. There was an interaction between housing and transport in serum NA and the DA-system in the HC, indicating that living conditions affected the response to stress. Multivariate analysis was able to discriminate the four animal groups. In conclusion, this work indicates that housing conditions and road transport markedly modifies the neurophysiology of pigs, and suggests that animals raised partially outdoors respond differently to transport-associated stress than animals raised indoors, indicating that they cope differently with unknown environments. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Background The availability of a species-specific reference material is essential for the harmonization of results obtained in different laboratories by different methods. Objectives We describe the preparation of a canine C-reactive protein (cCRP) serum reference material containing purified cCRP stabilized in a serum matrix. The material can be used by manufacturers to assign values to their calibrator and control materials. Methods The serum matrix was obtained using blood collected from healthy dogs, stabilized and submitted for a delipidation process. The reference material was prepared by diluting purified cCRP in the serum matrix containing 1.0 mol/L HEPES buffer, 3.0 mmol/L calcium chloride, 80,000 kUI/L aprotinin, and 1.0 mmol/L benzamidine hydrochloride monohydrate at a pH of 7.2, and dispensing (0.5 mL) the matrix into vials that were then frozen. Results The pilot batch of 200 vials was shown to be homogeneous and stable after a stability study at various temperatures and over a total time of 110 days. The prepared material was submitted to an assignment value study. Eight laboratories from different European countries participated by using the same reagents for an immunoturbidimetric method adapted for different analyzers. The obtained cCRP concentration in the reference material was 78.5 mg/L with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 4.2 mg/L. Conclusions Canine C-reactive protein serum reference material has been produced that allows harmonization of results obtained by different methods and different laboratories, thus reducing the possibility of errors and misunderstandings.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of community-based exercise programs in the rehabilitation of adult patients with burns compared with standard of care (SOC). Design Randomized controlled trial, with 2:1 randomization. Setting Assessments were performed in a hospital setting. The intervention was performed in a community setting. Participants Adult patients (N=45) with ≥30% total body surface area burns were randomized to participate in a community-based exercise program (n=31) or SOC (n=14). Patient sampling was consecutive and referred. Interventions The community-based exercise program consisted of 12 weeks of exercise with a community-based trainer after hospital discharge. The SOC group did not receive exercise training. Main Outcome Measures Change in lean body mass index, peak torque, and peak oxygen consumption from discharge to 12 weeks postdischarge, presented as mean ± SE. Results The community-based exercise program group showed a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption compared with SOC (community-based exercise program: Δ=7.723±1.522mL/kg/min, P =.0006; SOC: Δ=2.200±1.150mL/kg/min, P =.0765; community-based exercise program vs SOC, P =.0236). The community-based exercise program group exhibited a significant within group increase in lean body mass index (Δ=1.107±0.431kg/m 2 , P =.0003; SOC: Δ=1.323±0.873kg/m 2 , P =.2808). Both groups showed significant within-group increases in peak torque (community-based exercise program: Δ=35.645±7.566Nm, P =.0003; SOC: Δ=34.717±11.029Nm, P =.0082). No significant differences were noted between the 2 groups for lean body mass index or peak torque. Conclusions Patients who participate in a community-based exercise program show significant improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness compared with SOC, supporting the use of a community-based exercise program as an alternative therapy to SOC in adults with severe burns.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of long term psychosocial functioning and mental health of a “Day-Hospital” Based Exercise Program (DAYEX) versus a Community Based Exercise Program (COMBEX). DESIGN: This was a prospective design that consisted of two groups (DAYEX and COMBEX). SETTING: A children’s hospital specialized in burn care (Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Inc., Galveston, Texas) PARTICIPANTS: A total of 18 patients, (n=9 DAYEX and n=9 COMBEX) were assessed at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) discharge and up to 1 year post burn. INTERVENTION: The Child Health Questionnaires (CHQ-Child/CF87 and Parent/PF28) were used to assess changes in quality of life from discharge to 1 year post-burn. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CHQ-PF28 and CHQ-CF87 RESULTS: Demographic and TBSA were similar in both groups. Length of hospital stay was significant in the COMBEX group. CHQ-CF87 and CHQ-PF28 document significant improvements in both groups between discharge and 1 year. Significance was evident in Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, Self Esteem, Change in Health, and Family Activities. CHQ-CF87 showed improvement in Family Cohesion in COMBEX more than DAYEX. CHQ-PF28 showed improvement in Role/Social Limitations - Emotional, Bodily Pain, and Family Activities in COMBEX more than DAYEX. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed COMBEX program shows to be feasible and beneficial physically, psychosocially, and mentally. The results show some improvements in the COMBEX group in optimizing function and health in severely burned children. The COMBEX group performed at least as well as the DAYEX group. Larger scale studies are needed to validate current findings.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are an interesting sample for searching for biomarkers with proteomic techniques because they are easy to obtain and do not contain highly abundant, potentially masking proteins. Two groups of pigs (n = 56) were subjected to mixing under farm conditions and afterwards subjected to different management treatments: negative handling (NH) and positive handling (PH). Serum and PBMC samples were collected at the beginning of the experiment one week after mixing (t0) and after two months of different handling (t2). Brain areas were collected after slaughter and neurotransmitters quantified by HPLC. Hair cortisol and serum acute phase proteins decreased and serum glutathione peroxidase increased at t2, indicating a lower degree of stress at t2 after adaptation to the farm. Differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) was applied to study the effects of time and treatment on the PBMC proteome. A total of 54 differentially expressed proteins were identified, which were involved in immune system modulation, cell adhesion and motility, gene expression, splicing and translation, protein degradation and folding, oxidative stress and metabolism. Thirty-seven protein spots were up-regulated at t2 versus t0 whereas 27 were down-regulated. Many of the identified proteins share the characteristic of being potentially up or down-regulated by cortisol, indicating that changes in protein abundance between t0 and t2 are, at least in part, consequence of lower stress upon adaptation to the farm conditions after group mixing. Only slight changes in brain neurotransmitters and PBMC oxidative stress markers were observed. In conclusion, the variation in hair cortisol and serum APPs as well as the careful analysis of the identified proteins indicate that changes in protein composition in PBMC throughout time is mainly due to a decrease in the stress status of the individuals, following accommodation to the farm and the new group.

The HF etching of a silicon(boron)oxycarbide glass was, for the first time, followed in situ by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction. The starting Si(B)OC glass is formed by two interpenetrating nano-sized networks, one SiO2-rich and the other C-rich comprising β-SiC nanocrystals and nanocrystalline graphite. The silica-based phase is dissolved by the HF forming a porous C-rich Si(B)OC. The XRD analysis shows the quantitative evolution with the etching time of all nanocrystalline phases, including the amorphous SiO2-based one. The rate-limiting step for the dissolution is the diffusion of the reactants/products through the porous C-rich Si(B)OC. The XRD analysis shows also a trend of the basal spacing of the sp2 carbon phase as a function of the dissolution time suggesting the presence, in the un-etched glass, of a in-plane residual compressive stress which is relaxed by etching out the SiO2-based network. At the end of the dissolution process the BET analysis shows the formation of a micro–meso porous C-rich Si(B)OC with a SSA of 595 m2/g, mesopore size in the range 2–10 nm and pore volume of 0.863 cm3/g.

Background The objective assessment of animal stress and welfare requires proper laboratory biomarkers. In this work, we have analyzed the changes in serum composition in gilts after switching their housing, from pen to individual stalls, which is generally accepted to cause animal discomfort. Results Blood and saliva samples were collected a day before and up to four days after changing the housing system. Biochemical analyses showed adaptive changes in lipid and protein metabolism after the housing switch, whereas cortisol and muscular markers showed a large variability between animals. 2D-DIGE and iTRAQ proteomic approaches revealed variations in serum protein composition after changing housing and diet of gilts. Both techniques showed alterations in two main homeostatic mechanisms: the innate immune and redox systems. The acute phase proteins haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A-I and α1-antichymotrypsin 3, and the antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin 2 were found differentially expressed by 2D-DIGE. Other proteins related to the innate immune system, including lactotransferrin, protegrin 3 and galectin 1 were also identified by iTRAQ, as well as oxidative stress enzymes such as peroxiredoxin 2 and glutathione peroxidase 3. Proteomics also revealed the decrease of apolipoproteins, and the presence of intracellular proteins in serum, which may indicate physical injury to tissues. Conclusions Housing of gilts in individual stalls and diet change increase lipid and protein catabolism, oxidative stress, activate the innate immune system and cause a certain degree of tissue damage. We propose that valuable assays for stress assessment in gilts may be based on a score composed by a combination of salivary cortisol, lipid metabolites, innate immunity and oxidative stress markers and intracellular proteins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0887-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Two sets of solgel derived glass materials have been prepared and subjected to different thermal treatments. Pyrolysis in inert atmosphere lead to the formation of amorphous Si(B)CO ceramics whereas if the inert atmosphere is changed to NH once the carbon substituents of the preceramic hybrid material transform to a glassy network, the nitrogen is incorporated efficiently while the carbon is retained into the structure, as revealed by Si NMR analysis. Raman spectra show a less graphitized structure in the case of B-rich materials because of the reduced mobility of the C atoms due to the formation of mixed (B)CN bonds.

A precursor SiBOC glass was annealed at 1400 °C for 1, 3, 5 and 10 h and then it was HF etched in order to dissolve the SiO2/B2O3 phase and to obtain a porous C-rich oxycarbide glass. The porous material was studied by N2 absorption. The pore diameter of the porous C-rich SiBOC glass ranges between 2 and 5 nm and continuously increases with increasing annealing time. The pore volume also increases with the annealing time up to ≈1.0 cm3/g which is close to the pore volume estimated from the chemical composition (1.04 cm3/g) assuming complete dissolution of the silica-based phase.

Eight Duroc×(Landrace×Large White) male pigs housed at a stocking rate of 0.50m(2)/pig were subjected to a higher stocking rate of 0.25m(2)/pig (higher density, HD) for two 4-day periods over 26 days. Using biochemical and proteomic techniques serum and plasma samples were examined to identify potential biomarkers for monitoring stress due to HD housing. HD housed pigs showed significant differences (P0.001) in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-associated cholesterol, as well as in concentrations of the pig-major acute phase protein (Pig-MAP) (P=0.002). No differences were observed in serum cortisol or other acute phase proteins such as haptoglobin, C-reactive protein or apolipoprotein A-I. HD-individuals also showed an imbalance in redox homeostasis, detected as an increase in the level of oxidized proteins measured as the total plasma carbonyl protein content (P0.001) with a compensatory increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (P=0.012). Comparison of the serum proteome yielded a new potential stress biomarker, identified as actin by mass spectrometry. Cluster analysis of the results indicated that individuals segregated into two groups, with different response patterns, suggesting that the stress response depended on individual susceptibility.

The surface properties of different SiOC glasses before and after HF etching have been analyzed by means of nitrogen adsorption and inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution. Raman and Drift spectroscopies have been also used for structural characterization. The dispersive surface energy (γsd), acid–base (kA/kB) character and nanorugosity index (IM) have been compared with those found for vitreous silica (VS) glass. The γsd value of the SiOC glass is higher than VS (γsd = 58.8 mJ·m−2) and decreases from 151.02 to 104.39 mJ·m−2 with the increase of the carbon content. Raman spectroscopy corroborates the previous results in which the higher ordered graphite is attributed to the higher dispersive surface energy. After HF etching the γsd values of the SiOC glasses increase up to 200 mJ·m−2, being these results in accordance with the elimination of silica phase and therefore the presence of a high concentration of carbon mainly as ordered graphite. Raman and Drift spectroscopies suggest that HF etching not only removes silica but poorly ordered graphite and probably β-SiC nanocrystals as well. The acid–base properties, i.e., the kA/kB ratio, of the analyzed SiOC glasses are very close to those of VS or natural graphites, depending on their free carbon content. In general the acid constant is higher than the base even after HF etching, indicating that the free carbon phase contains surface active acidic groups. Finally, the surface nanorugosity of the SiOC glasses has been found to be dependent also on the graphite order. For VS the surface is completely smooth (IM = −0.76), and for the SiOC glasses having highly ordered graphite the nanorugosity is similar to graphite-like materials (IM values between −11 and −13), reaching an average value close to IM = −6.35 in the case of poorly ordered graphite carbon.

The sol–gel method has been used for the synthesis of borosilicate gels from mixtures of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES) and boric acid. The use of boric acid, B(OH)3 allows the hydrolysis and condensation of hybrid silicon alkoxides without further addition of water or catalyst. The use of difunctional silicon units, –(CH3)2SiO– promote the formation, during the sol–gel process, of linear oligomers which facilitate fiber drawing before gelation. Gel characterization performed by FT-IR, XRD, TG-DTA and DCS analysis indicates the formation of a mixed network with incorporation of the boron units via =B-O-Si≡ bridges. The formation of borosiloxane bonds seems favored by the presence of DMDES. SiBOC glasses were obtained after pyrolysis of the borosilicate gels in argon atmosphere at 1000 °C. TG-DTA study indicates that the ceramic yield decreases by increasing the amount of DMDES. Gel fibers were successfully prepared from convenient partially-aged solutions by hand drawing. Pyrolysis of the obtained gel fibers under argon atmosphere at 1000 °C open the possibility to produce SiBOC homogeneous glass fibers with diameter as low as 10 μm.

OBJECTIVE: To counteract long-lasting muscle break down, muscle weakness, and poor physical fitness resulting from severe burns, we recommend a 12-week in-hospital exercise training rehabilitation program. Unfortunately, this in-hospital training program requires time away from home, family, school or work. This study was undertaken to evaluate an alternative exercise rehabilitation strategy involving a 12-week community-based exercise training rehabilitation program (COMBEX) carried out at or near the patient and caretaker's home. STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Pediatric patients (7-18 years) with ≥30% of total body surface area (TBSA) burns were randomized to participate in COMBEX (N=12) or an outpatient exercise program (EX) at the hospital (N=22). Both programs were started after hospital discharge and consisted of 12 weeks of progressive resistive and aerobic exercise. COMBEX was performed in community fitness centers near the patients' home. Endpoints were assessed at discharge (pre-exercise) and after the 12-week program. Primary endpoints were lean body mass (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometry), and peak aerobic capacity (indirect calorimetry). RESULTS: Demographics, length of hospitalization, and TBSA burned were comparable between groups (P>0.05). Both groups exhibited a significant (P≤0.01 for all) increase (mean±SEM) in lean muscle mass (EX: 6.9±1.7%; COMBEX: 6.5±1.1%), muscle strength (EX: 67.1±7.0%; COMBEX: 49.9±6.8%), and peak aerobic capacity (EX: 35.5±4.0%; COMBEX: 46.9±7.7%). Furthermore, the magnitude of these increases were not different between groups (P>0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Both EX and COMBEX are efficacious in improving lean mass, strength, and cardiopulmonary capacity in severely burned children. Language: en

Feed restriction, and seasonal weight loss (SWL), are major setbacks for animal production in the tropics and the Mediterranean. They may be solved through the use of autochthonous breeds particularly well adapted to SWL. It is therefore of major importance to determine markers of tolerance to feed restriction of putative use in animal selection. Two indigenous breeds from the Canary Islands, Palmera and Majorera, are commonly used by dairy goat farmers and, interestingly, have different phenotype characteristics albeit with a common ancestry. Indeed, Majorera is well adapted to feed restriction whereas the Palmera is susceptible to feed restriction. In addition, regardless of their importance in dairy production, there are only a limited number of reports relating to these breeds and, to the best of our knowledge, there is no description of their blood metabolite standard values under control conditions or as affected by feed restriction. In this study we analysed the blood metabolite profiles in Majorera and Palmera goats aiming to establish the differential responses to feed restriction between the two breeds and to characterise their metabolite standard values under control conditions. We observed significant differences in creatinine, urea, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), cholesterol, IGF-1 and T3 due to underfeeding. Furthermore, a PCA analysis, revealed that animals submitted to undernutrition could be distinguished from the control groups, with the formation of three separate clusters (Palmera individuals after 22 d of subnutrition (PE22); Majorera individuals after 22 d of subnutrition (ME22) and animals assigned to control conditions (MC0, MC22, PC0 and PC22)), highlighting different responses of the two breeds to undernutrition.

Etching polymer-derived silicon-oxycarbide ceramics with hydrofluoric acid creates nanoporous structures of specific surface areas as high as 600 m2/g. The change in composition upon etching shows the removal of silica, not carbon. The structure remaining after etching is postulated to consist of a scaffolding of graphene networks with their surfaces decorated with mixed bonds of tetrahedral silicon bonded to both oxygen and carbon (SiOmC4−m, where m=1, 2, or 3). The pores existing within such scaffoldings are presumed to have been filled with SiO2 tetrahedra, which are removed by etching. The measurement of the average pore size and pore volumes permits us to estimate the width of the graphitic domain walls, δW, left behind by the etching process. The smallest value of δW, which corresponds to the specimen with the highest surface area, is approximately 1 nm, which is about equal to the total width of one graphene layer and two SiOmC4–m tetrahedra, one on either side of the graphene sheet. This highest surface area specimen is also believed to have the largest size of the silica domains in the unetched samples. In specimens with smaller domains, the etching is only partially successful in removing the silica, presumably because their small size hinders the access of the etchant to the silica tetrahedra. The above behavior is found for samples with low to moderate carbon content. In one sample with a very high carbon content, the etching process removes some carbon as well as silica.

The application of nitrogen adsorption, mercury porosimetry and inverse gas chromatography (IGC) for the examination of surface physical and chemical properties of hybrid materials is discussed. Hybrid materials were prepared from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT), and hydroxyl terminated polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) for different TBOT concentrations. It was found that TBOT affects specific surface areas, pore volumes and pore sizes, but does not affect pore morphology. Surface chemical properties were analyzed by IGC. It was found that the dispersive surface energy was a function of the material pore size. Values between 36 and 42 mJ···m-2 were obtained for the dispersive surface energy which are consistent with those of hybrid materials. On the other hand, the acid-base (k $$_{\rm A}$$ , k $$_{\rm B}$$ ) surface constants showed good correlation with the TBOT concentration. These materials can be considered as anphoteric ones, and it was found that k $$_{\rm A}$$ increases from 1.07 to 1.47, and k $$_{\rm B}$$ increases from 0.76 to 1.73 when the TBOT concentration increases from 0 to 7%. Such increase is assigned to the formation of Si–O–Ti bonds as it was deduced from an IR band appearing at 930 cm-1 in the FT-IR spectra.

Mixed vitreous oxycarbide glasses containing silicon and boron were prepared by pyrolysis of hybrid precursors in N2 at 1100°C. Four different precursors were synthesized through the sol-gel process using TEOS, TEB and PDMS. Poly-condensation between the Si(OH) groups, from the hydrolysed TEOS, and the PDMS was observed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Boron seems not to incorporate into the network until pyrolysis of the precursors that form the oxycarbides. The oxycarbides were porous made of spherical interconnected particles. The porosity and mean pore size of the glasses increased with increasing TEB content.