In Argentina, there is no regional data on mineral reference intervals in swine, according to the genetic lines, categories of production in intensive systems. The objective of this study was to establish ranges of the following serum minerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, copper and zinc, in swine farmed in Santa Fe and Entre Ríos. Blood samples were collected from 300 healthy pigs of two different genetic lines belonging to the following categories: newborn piglets, weaned piglets, pregnant nulliparous females selected for re-stocking, and pregnant multiparous females. Serum concentrations of minerals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) with a Perkin Elmer model Analys 200 and using official AOAC methods. Water samples were also analyzed. Reference intervals were calculated using parametric or nonparametric methods on basis of data distribution. Mean, median, minimum, maximum values and reference intervals for different minerals were tabulated. The reference intervals calculated in this study will be useful for the diagnosis of mineral deficiencies and nutritional monitoring in meat production pigs.

En Argentina, no existen datos regionales de intervalos de referencia de minerales en cerdos según las líneas genéticas actuales y distintas categorías de producción en sistema intensivo. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar intervalos de minerales: calcio, fósforo, magnesio, sodio, potasio, hierro, cobre y cinc, en suero de cerdos en establecimientos del centro de Santa Fe y de Entre Ríos. Se trabajó con 300 muestras de sangre de cerdos sanos de dos líneas genéticas diferentes en las categorías de lechones recién nacidos, lechones destetados, hembras nulíparas gestantes seleccionadas fenotípicamente para la reposición del plantel, y hembras multíparas gestantes. Se determinaron las concentraciones séricas de los minerales por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica (FAAS) con un equipo Perkin Elmer modelo Analys 200, con métodos oficiales de AOAC. Se analizaron también muestras de agua. Los intervalos de referencia se calcularon utilizando parámetros paramétricos o no paramétricos dependiendo de la distribución de los datos. Los valores medios, medianas, valores mínimo y máximo e intervalos de referencia, para los distintos minerales en cada categoría productiva, se presentan en tablas. Los intervalos de referencia calculados serán útiles para el diagnóstico de deficiencias mineral y la vigilancia nutricional en cerdo de producción de carne.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar si la harina de subproductos avícolas puede sustituir la harina de pescado como ingrediente proteico en los alimentos balanceados para juveniles de Piaractus brachypomus en condiciones controladas. Fueron formuladas tres dietas isoproteícas e isoenergéticas con 34% de PB y 4160 Kcal/kg EB; el tratamiento 1 (T1) contenía como ingrediente proteico 30% de harina de pescado; el tratamiento 2 (T2), 30% de harina de subproductos avícolas; y el tratamiento 3 (T3), 30% de harina de subproductos avícolas suplementada con aminoácidos (Lisina, Metionina y Treonina). Se seleccionaron 240 alevinos de peso promedio de 3 gr y se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en 12 tanques de 500 litros (3 tratamientos por 4 réplicas). Se midieron parámetros productivos (ganancia de peso, consumo de alimento, tasa de conversión alimenticia, tasa específica de crecimiento) y costos de las dietas empleadas. La ganancia de peso (1233,2±156,1%), tasa específica de crecimiento (5,06±2%) y la tasa de conversión alimenticia (1,22±0,09 gr) no presentaron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. El consumo de alimento fue significativamente menor en la dieta 1, respecto a las otras. En cuanto a los costos, T1 tuvo menor valor que los otros tratamientos, los cuales se vieron aumentados en 4 y 5,8%, para T3 y T2 respectivamente, con lo cual se muestra que los costos son similares y dependen de la situación en el mercado de los diferentes ingredientes de los que se componen las dietas. Los resultados del presente estudio indican que la harina de subproductos avícolas puede ser usada para la alimentación de juveniles de cachama Blanca sin repercusiones en la ganancia de peso, en la tasa de conversión alimenticia y en la tasa especifica de crecimiento, y ya que la suplementación de aminoácidos no brinda efectos significativos, no hace necesario su uso en estas dietas para la especie.

The aim of the present study was to determinate if poultry by-product meal (PBM) could substitute fish meal as protein ingredient in balanced diets for young Piaractus brachypomus (known as red-bellied pacu or white cachama) in controlled conditions. Three isoprotein/isoenergetic diets were formulated with 34% PBM and 4,160 Kcal/kg EB; treatment 1 (T1) contained 30% fishmeal as protein ingredient, treatment 2 (T2) 30% PBM and treatment 3 (T3) 30% PBM supplemented with aminoacids (lysine, methionine and threonine). 240 fry were selected, weighing 3 gr on average, and randomly distributed in 12 tanks each one with 500 litres (3 treatments per 4 repeats). Production parameters were measured (weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate, specific growth rate) and the cost of the diets being used. There were no significant differences between treatments regarding weight gain (1,233.2±156.1%), specific growth rate (5.06±2%) and feed conversion rate (1.22±0.09 gr). Feed in take was significantly lower in diet 1, compared to the other diets. Concerning costs, T1 was cheaper than the other treatments which increased by 4% for T3 and 5,8% for T2, there by showing that costs were similar and depended on the market situation of the different ingredients in the diets. The present study's results indicated that PBM could be used for feeding young white cachama without producing a negative effect concerning weight gain, feed conversion rate and specific growth rate and, since aminoacid supplements had no significant effects, using them on these diets for the species should not be necessary.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a possibilidade de substituir a farinha de peixe como ingrediente proteico nos alimentos balanceados para juvenis de Piaractus brachypomus em condições controladas. Foram formuladas três dietas isoprotéicas com 34% de PB e isoenergéticas com 4160 kcal/kg EB, o tratamento 1 (T1) continha como ingrediente proteico 30% de farinha de peixe; o tratamento 2 (T2), 30% de farinha de subprodutos avícolas; e o tratamento 3 (T3), 30% de farinha de subprodutos avícolas suplementado com aminoácidos (lisina, metionina e treonina). Foram selecionados 240 alevines de peso médio de 3g e distribuídos ao acaso em 12 tanques de 500 litros (3 tratamentos por 4 réplicas). Os parâmetros produtivos avaliados foram (ganho de peso, consumo de ração, taxa de conversão, taxa especifica de crescimento) e custos das dietas usadas. O ganho de peso (1233,2±156,1%) taxa especifica de crescimento (5,06±2%) e taxa de conversão de alimentícia (1,22±0,09 g) não presentaram diferenças significativas entre tratamentos. O consumo de alimento foi menor significativamente na dieta 1, comparada com ás outras. Em quanto aos custos, t1 teve menor valos que os outros tratamentos, os quais aumentaram em 4 e 5,8%, para T3 e T2 respectivamente, demostrando que os custos são similares e dependem da situação no mercado dos ingredientes que compõem as dietas. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que a farinha de subprodutos avícolas pode ser utilizada na alimentação de juvenis de pirapitingas em influencia no ganho de peso, na taxa de conversão alimentar e na taxa especifica de crescimento, e já que a suplementação de aminoácidos não oferece efeitos significativos, não e necessário o seu uso nas dietas para a espécie.

It was analyzed the genetic variability of (1) three strains of a pathogenic fungi of the genus Metharhizium anisopliae var anisopliae, named MA22, MA24 and MA25, brand spesifik®; (2) two strains of the product Metasaven®, named MA1A and MAII; one strain of the product Metatron®; and a native strain named MACN. This latter strain was directly isolated from the insect chapulin (Brachystola magna), from the farmer, corn plots in Durango, located in north central Mexico. Studies were conducted in the laboratory of molecular biology of the Technological Institute of the Valley of Guardiana in Durango, Mexico, from September 2008 to june 2011. The (1) genetic variability among strains after using the RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) technique using nine different oligonucleotides to observe DNA polimorphisms; (2) index of similarity among the strains and their phylogenetic relationship, and (3) percentage mortality of chapulin in a bioassay were determined. Polymorphism of the amplified bands varied between 300 and 2000 base pairs. The index of similarity was highest in the strains MAC25 and MAC24. In the bioassay, mortality of chapulin was 62.5% with MACN and 37.5% with Metratron®. Controls showed no significant differences (p>0.05) among them, with a mortality lower than 10%.

Se analizó la variabilidad genética de tres cepas de un hongo entomopatógeno del género Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae denominadas MA22, MA24 y MA25 con la marca Spesifik®; dos cepas del producto Metasaven® clasificadas como MA1A y MAII; una cepa del producto Metatron®, y una cepa nativa denominada MACN.Ésta última fue aislada directamente del insecto chapulín (Brachystola magna) en las parcelas de los productores de maíz en Durango, región situada en el norte centro de México. Los estudios se realizaron en el laboratorio de biología molecular del Instituto Tecnológico del Valle del Guadiana de Durango, México, de septiembre de 2008 a junio de 2011. Se analizaron (1) la variabilidad genética entre las cepas mediante el empleo de la técnica RAPD (DNA polimórfico amplificado al azar) con una variante mediante el empleo de nueve oligonucleótidos diferentes para observar polimorfismos de ADN, (2) el índice de similitud entre las cepas y su relación filogenética, y (3) el porcentaje de mortandad en chapulín, Brachystola magna. El polimorfismo de las bandas amplificadas fluctuó entre 300 y 2000 pares de bases. El índice de similitud indicó que las cepas MAC25 y MAC24 presentaron el índice más alto. En el bioensayo, MACN presentó una mortandad de 62,5% y Metatron® de 37,5% sobre chapulín. Los testigos empleados fueron estadísticamente (p>0,05) similares con una mortandad menor al 10%.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of and the associated factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) among Latin American HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) using baseline data from the RAPID II study. METHODS: A longitudinal study to evaluate the metabolic profile, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and associated treatment practices to reduce this risk has been conducted in seven Latin American countries (the RAPID II study). Adult HIV patients with at least six months of RT were enrolled. MS was defined following ATP-III criteria. Demographic and anthropometric data, serum biochemical and clinical parameters were compared in patients with and without MS using bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 4,010 patients were enrolled, 2,963 (74%) were males. Mean age (SD) was 41.9 (10.0) years. The prevalence of MS was 20.2%. Females had higher prevalence of MS than males (22.7% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.02). MS was driven by high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol and high blood pressure (HBP). Patients with MS had higher 10year CVD risk: 22.2% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001. Age (OR: 1.05 per year), female gender (OR: 1.29), family history of CVD (OR: 1.28), CD4 cell count (OR: 1.09 per 100 cell increase), and protease inhibitor based-ART (OR: 1.33) correlated with MS in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of MS in this setting was similar to that reported from developed countries. MS was driven by high triglycerides, low-HDL and HBP, and it was associated with higher risk of CVD. Traditional risk factors, female gender, immune reconstitution, and protease inhibitor based-ART correlated with MS.

Forty-seven plant extracts of 10 species of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) used by Colombian traditional healers for the treatment of ulcers, cancers, tumors, warts, and other diseases, were tested in vitro for their potential antitumour (antiproliferative and cytotoxic) and antiherpetic activity. To evaluate the capacity of the extracts to inhibit the lytic activity of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and the reduction of viability of infected or uninfected cell cultures, the end-point titration technique (EPTT) and the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] colorimetric assay were used, respectively. The therapeutic index of the positive extracts for the antiviral activity was determined by calculating the ratio CC50 (50% cytotoxic concentration) over IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration of the viral effect). Five of the 47 extracts (11%) representing 3 out of 10 Euphorbia species (30%) exhibited antiherpetic action; the highest activity was found in the leaf/stem water-methanol extracts from E. cotinifolia and E. tirucalli. The therapeutic indexes of these two plant species were > 7.1; these extracts exhibited no cytotoxicity. Six extracts (13%) representing 4 plant species (40%) showed cytotoxic activity. The highest cytotoxicity was found in the dichloromethane extract obtained from E. cotinifolia leaves and the CC50 values for the most susceptible cell lines, HEp-2 and CHO, were 35.1 and 18.1 µg/ml, respectively.