Conservación de recursos genéticos ovinos en la raza xisqueta : caracterización estructural, racial y gestión de la diversidad en programas "in situ" /

Consultable des del TDXTítol obtingut de la portada digitalitzadaLa raza ovina Xisqueta, propia del N-O de Catalunya, se caracteriza por su gran rusticidad y máxima adaptación a los sistemas productivos de alta montaña, por su pigmentación centrífuga, típica del Tronco Ibérico al que pertenece, y por ser de producción cárnica. Es una raza muy apreciada por los ganaderos de las zonas de montaña donde se localiza, pero el abandono del sector agrario en éstas ha provocado su regresión censal durante las últimas décadas y, en la actualidad, se encuentra en peligro de extinción. Por ello, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo el estudio de la raza Xisqueta a distintos niveles, para poder contribuir así al conocimiento y caracterización de la misma y para poder sentar las bases de un posible programa de conservación. Para conocer el funcionamiento de las explotaciones de la raza, se realizó una encuesta a un total de 108 ganaderos de las comarcas del Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà y Alta Ribagorça. Se diseñó un amplio cuestionario que abarcaba aspectos que consideramos de interés, tales como el censo, manejos productivo y reproductivo, sanidad, instalaciones y otras cuestiones, y los datos obtenidos fueron tratados estadísticamente. Los resultados indicaron que los sistemas reproductivos más utilizados son las cubriciones controladas y la monta continua, mientras que el sistema productivo es el extensivo tradicional, en sus variantes de la trashumancia y los pastos estantes. En la Alta Ribagorça el porcentaje de xisquetas por explotación es más elevado que en las otras dos comarcas. Por otro lado, se realizó un estudio de la evolución censal de las ganaderías, también mediante un cuestionario, para ver la variación de las mismas tres años después del primer análisis y para valorar sus expectativas de futuro. En el intervalo de tiempo mencionado había desaparecido el 17% de las explotaciones y el censo de xisquetas se había reducido significativamente. Además, según los ganaderos, en los próximos diez años desaparecerá el 65% de las ganaderías restantes. A nivel morfológico, se colaboró con los ganaderos en la definición del patrón racial de la Xisqueta y, por otro lado, se realizó un estudio cuantitativo mediante la toma de veintiséis medidas y el cálculo de doce índices corporales en 304 animales. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron caracterizar morfológicamente a la Xisqueta e indicaron que es longilínea a mediolínea, eumétrica y dolicocéfala. A nivel genético molecular se quiso caracterizar la raza y comprobar su posible aislamiento en los distintos valles y regiones montañosas donde se ubica, por lo que en el esquema de trabajo se estructuró el territorio en catorce subpoblaciones o zonas. En éstas, se realizaron 622 extracciones sanguíneas, que fueron analizadas mediante marcadores moleculares de ADN de tipo microsatélite. Los resultados indicaron que la Xisqueta posee una elevada variabilidad genética y que no está estructurada reproductivamente por regiones. La combinación de 13 microsatélites utilizada en el estudio resultó ser un método efectivo para la asignación de paternidades en la raza.The Xisqueta sheep breed, located in the north-western region of Catalonia, is characterized by its hardiness and suitability to high mountain pasture, by its centrifugal pigmentation (a typical trait of the Iberian Trunk from which it is descended), and by the value of its meat production. The Xisqueta is a very valuable breed for the mountainous areas where it is farmed, but the decline in the agricultural sector has led to a significant reduction in their population to the point where the breed is threatened with extinction. Because of this threat to their extinction, the objective of this work is a multi-layered study of the characteristics of the Xisqueta breed with a view to the establishment of an appropriate conservation program. In order to understand commercial farming techniques and practices, a survey of 108 Xisqueta farmers from the administrative divisions comprising a number of municipalities of the Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà and Alta Ribagorça. An extensive questionnaire was designed which included questions related to the overall number of animals, productive and reproductive management, animal health and welfare, shelter (if any), sanitary conditions etc., and the collated data was statistically analyzed. The results showed that the most-commonly used reproductive management systems are controlled covering and continuous mounting, while the most common feeding regimens are traditional, extensive pasturing, augmented by "shepherding" over extended periods and enclosed "stay" pastures. In the Alta Ribagorça the percentage of Xisquetas per farm is higher than in the other administrative divisions within the study region. Additionally, the evolution of the population of the breed was monitored over a three-year period by several census studies and farmer questionnaires. During this period, the number of farms had reduced by 17 percent with a similar reduction in the Xisqueta population. Moreover, anecdotal evidence provided by the farmers themselves suggests that the loss of farms will continue over the next ten years, further reducing existing farms by some 65 percent. To facilitate the morphological study of the breed, and in close collaboration with the farmers, quantitative standards (some 26 in all) based on 12 appropriately-selected body indices were developed, and 304 animals were examined and measured. The results obtained enabled the Xisqueta breed to be characterized morphologically as longilinear to mesolinear, eumetrical and dolichocephalic. At the genetic molecular level, the study also wished to examine whether the genetic variability of the Xisqueta breed was affected by its possible isolation in the different valleys and mountainous areas where the breed is located. The studied region was subdivided into fourteen sub-populations or areas; blood samples were taken from 622 animals, which were then analyzed by microsatellites (DNA molecular markers). The results showed than the Xisqueta breed has a high genetic variability and that is not structured reproductively by regions (or indeed limited by the topographical features). The combination of the 13 microsatellites used in the study was an effective method to assign parenthood in the breed

Molecular, genealogical and morphometric characterisation of the Pallaresa, a Pyrenean relic cattle breed: Insights for conservation

The Pallaresa cattle breed is a native population of beef cattle found in the western regions of the Catalan Pyrenees (Spain). Since the second half of the twentieth century, population size decreased dramatically in favour of the Bruna dels Pirineus breed. At the present time, it is classified as a relic breed on the brink of extinction by the FAO, as only 22 breeding animals remain alive (2 bulls and 20 cows). Its importance as genetic and cultural heritage and its contribution in maintaining the landscape and ecosystem, as well as its unquestionable interest as a tourist attraction, make it an irreplaceable element in this area. In this paper, we present the breed characterisation of the population at the molecular, genealogical and morphological levels, and the comparison and phylogenetic relationships with other local breeds, in order to contribute to the characterisation of this prominent genetic resource. Genealogical analyses showed that the Pallaresa population is highly inbred. The mean inbreeding for both the whole pedigree and the living population was 18.93% and 25.71%, respectively. A set of 15 microsatellites were typed on the available Pallaresa individuals to ascertain the genetic variability of the breed at the molecular level and to allow a direct comparison with a set of previously studied 19 local cattle breeds from Spain, Portugal and France. The average number of alleles per locus for the Pallaresa breed (4.3) was the lowest of the analysed breeds and the within-population genetic identity, assessed using molecular coancestry, the highest (0.437). The Pallaresa population showed high levels of differentiation from the other analysed breeds. The lowest kinship distance was assessed for the pairs formed with the Bruna dels Pirineus and Salers breeds (0.417 ± 0.010 and 0.427 ± 0.011, respectively). STRUCTURE analysis showed that most Pallaresa individuals were assigned to one distinct cluster, showing that the breed gathers a unique genetic background. Despite its dramatic population scenario, the Pallaresa breed still preserves moderate levels of genetic diversity. The results obtained from the current study can contribute to design appropriate conservation strategies to prevent its extinction in the near future. The implementation of a mating programme involving Pallaresa bulls and Bruna dels Pirineus cows selected according to genetic and morphological closeness to the Pallaresa breed is suggested to prevent the genetic impoverishment of the population

Stromal vascular fraction therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Background: Regenerative cell therapies, such as adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), have been postulated as potential treatments for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of SVF treatment against placebo and other standard therapies for treating KOA in adult patients. Design: A systematic review. Data sources and methods: We searched the following databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Epistemonikos, PEDro, DynaMed, TripDatabase, Elsevier via Clinicalkey and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. We included prospective interventional studies where treatment with SVF in adults with KOA was compared against placebo or other standard therapies, and results were objectively measured with at least one widely recognised osteoarthritis scale. Results: Among 266 studies published until May 2021, nine met our inclusion criteria. A total of 239 patients (274 knees) were included in our study. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. Six studies had a control group (only one being placebo). All studies showed that SVF improved pain and functionality measured, in most cases, with the visual analogue scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. In addition, five studies reported an improvement in anatomical structures, as detected in MR images. However, the number of cells contained in SVF varied substantially between different studies, which could induce a comparison bias. Conclusion: Although based on a small number of dissimilar studies, SVF was considered a safe treatment for KOA and could be promising in terms of pain, functionality and anatomical structure improvement. However, SVF products need to be standardised, the number of cells homogenised and the use of concomitant treatments reduced to establish proper comparisons

Employment Among People With Spinal Cord Injury in 22 Countries Across the World:Results From the International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey

Objectives: To describe the employment situation of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in 22 countries participating in the International Spinal Cord Injury community survey, to compare observed and predicted employment rates, to estimate gaps in employment rates among people with SCI compared with the general population, and to study differences in employment between men and women. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Community. Participants: People of employable age (N=9875; 18-64 y) with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI (including cauda equina syndrome) who were at least 18 years of age at the time of the survey, living in the community, and able to respond to one of the available language versions of the questionnaire. Interventions: Not applicable Main Outcome Measures: The observed employment rate was defined as performing paid work for at least 1 hour a week, and predicted employment rate was adjusted for sample composition from mixed logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 9875 participants were included (165-1174 per country). Considerable differences in sample composition were found. The observed worldwide employment rate was 38%. A wide variation was found across countries, ranging from 10.3% to 61.4%. Some countries showed substantially higher or lower employment rates than predicted based on the composition of their sample. Gaps between the observed employment rates among participants with SCI and the general population ranged from 14.8% to 54.8%. On average, employment rates were slightly higher among men compared with women, but with large variation across countries. Employment gaps, however, were smaller among women for most countries. Conclusions: This first worldwide survey among people with SCI shows an average employment rate of 38%. Differences between observed and predicted employment rates across countries point at country-specific factors that warrant further investigation. Gaps with employment rates in the general population were considerable and call for actions for more inclusive labor market policies in most of the countries investigated. (C) 2020 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicin

Estudio de la variabilidad genética en la raza bovina mallorquina para propósitos de conservación

De acuerdo a los últimos informes de la FAO, los recursos genéticos disponibles a nivel mundial se encuentran en un dramático estado de descenso. Cada mes se pierden aproximadamente unas seis razas domésticas, con la consecuente pérdida de genes para adaptación a ciertos ambientes únicos. En este trabajo se ha estudiado la variabilidad genética de la raza bovina Mallorquina a través del análisis de 15 marcadores de ADN de tipo microsatélite. Para ello se muestrearon 26 individuos, 12 de ellos de la variedad castaña clara y los 14 restantes de la castaña oscura. Los niveles de variabilidad genética fueron muy similares para las dos variedades, y comparables a los obtenidos para otras razas, tanto españolas como europeas. El valor de diferenciación genética (FST) entre las dos variedades fue bajo (0,3%), indicándonos la existencia de un elevado flujo de genes entre los dos grupos, lo que conllevaría a una gran similitud genética entre ellas. Por otra parte, los valores de FIS y FIT obtenidos fueron del 1,9% y 1,6 %, estadísticamente no diferentes de cero, mostrando por tanto dicha población equilibrio genético de Hardy Weinberg. La probabilidad de exclusión (PE) fue del 99,9%, lo que permite utilizar estos sistemas de marcadores como una buena herramienta para la identificación individual y la verificación de paternidades. El dendrograma obtenido, representación diagramática de las relaciones genéticas existentes entre las razas, muestra una clara separación entre las poblaciones bovinas españolas peninsulares y las dos variedades de mallorquinas (Isla de Mallorca). Para finalizar, y a modo de resumen o conclusión, indicar que las dos variedades de la raza (castaña clara y castaña oscura) representan una misma entidad genética, por lo que en futuros programas de conservasción ambas variedades deberían ser tomadas en cuenta

International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey: Socioeconomic and Healthcare Satisfaction in Spain

Community survey; Socioeconomic; Spinal cord injuryEncuesta comunitaria; Socioeconómico; Lesión medularEnquesta comunitària; Socioeconòmic; Lesió medul·larStudy Design Survey study. Objectives People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are major healthcare and rehabilitation services consumers and have unmet healthcare needs. This study aimed to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of people living with SCI in Spain and to determine the level of use and satisfaction with the public healthcare system. Methods We conducted a survey (the Spanish version of the International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey) consisting of 134 questions. We analyzed the age, sex, neurological classification of the injury on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, time of injury, socio-occupational and socioeconomic status, and level of use and satisfaction with the public health system. Results 472 people responded to the survey [68.9% male; mean age 51.2 years (standard deviation: 13.9 years); 61.7% with paraplegia and 38.3% with tetraplegia]. 89.2% of those surveyed were unemployed and 77.1% received a disability pension. The number of medical visits was 2.3/year, and 19.8% of the patients required at least 1 hospital admission during the previous year. 94.7% of the people with SCI considered the health care received as good or very good. Conclusions Respondents with SCI in Spain considered they had good access to primary and specialized care and were satisfied with the healthcare system. Notably, we observed a high average of annual visits to medical professionals but a low rate of hospitalizations. Technical aids and state services related to disability should be the most important elements to be improved

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in Andorra: impact on women's health.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a frequent public health problem with negative social consequences, particularly for women. Female susceptibility is the result of anatomical, social, economic and cultural factors. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of UI in the female population of Andorra over the age of 15 and, specifically, to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors. A secondary aim of the study is to measure the degree of concern associated with UI and whether the involved subjects have asked for medical assistance, or not. METHODS: Women aged 15 and over, answered a self-administered questionnaire while attending professional health units in Andorra during the period November 1998 to January 2000. A preliminary study was carried out to ensure that the questionnaire was both understandable and simple. RESULTS: 863 completed questionnaires were obtained during a one year period. The breakdown of the places where the questionnaires were obtained and filled out is as follows: 32.4% – medical specialists' offices; 31.5% – outpatient centres served exclusively by nurses; 24% – primary care doctors' offices; 12% from other sources. Of the women who answered the questionnaire, 37% manifested urine losses. Of those,45.3% presented regular urinary incontinence (RUI) and 55.7% presented sporadic urinary incontinence (SporadicUI). In those women aged between 45 and 64, UI was present in 56% of the subjects. UI was more frequent among parous than non-parous women. UI was perceived as a far more bothersome and disabling condition by working, middle-class women than in other socio-economic groups. Women in this particular group are more limited by UI, less likely to seek medical advice but more likely to follow a course of treatment. From a general point of view, however, less than 50% of women suffering from UI sought medical advice. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UI in the female population of Andorra stands at about 37%, a statistic which should encourage both health professionals and women to a far greater awareness of this condition

Covid-19 and Post Intensive Care Syndrome: A Call for Action

Although we are currently overwhelmed by the astonishing speed of infection of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the daily onslaught of new, and ever-worsening predictions, it is vital that we begin to prepare for the aftershocks of the pandemic. Prominent among this will be the cohort of post-intensive case survivors who have been mechanically ventilated and will likely experience short- and medium-term consequences. The notion that patients surviving intensive care and mechanical ventilation for several weeks can be discharged home without further medical attention is a dangerous illusion. Post Intensive Care Syndrome and other severe conditions will require not only adequate screening but early rehabilitation and other interventions. Action must be taken now to prepare for this inevitable aftershock to the healthcare system