The effect of supplementing a basal diet with 1 of 3 plant oils on productive efficiency and milk fatty acid composition was studied in dairy goats. Sixteen Malagueña goats were used in a 4×4 Latin square experiment with 21-d periods and 4 goats per treatment. The basal diet comprised 30% alfalfa hay and 70% pelleted concentrate. Experimental treatments were control (basal diet without added oil) and the basal diet supplemented with 48g/d of high oleic sunflower oil (HOSFO), regular sunflower oil (RSFO), or linseed oil (LO). Dry matter intake and body weight were not affected by treatments. Milk production was higher in HOSFO treatment and milk fat content was higher in RSFO and LO treatments, although no differences in milk energy production or milk renneting properties were found. The RSFO and LO treatments increased the proportion of vaccenic acid in milk fat more so than the HOSFO diet, and rumenic acid followed the same pattern. The content of trans10-18:1 remained low in all experimental diets (<0.7% of total fatty acid methyl esters) although HOSFO and RSFO diets increased it. The variations in the fatty acid profiles observed with the 4 diets, mainly the unsaturated fatty acid isomer contents, are extensively discussed. Compared with that in the control diet, the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio in milk fat substantially decreased with the LO, increased with RSFO, and did not change with HOSFO. The addition of moderate amounts of LO to the diets of dairy goats has favorable effects on milk fatty acid composition from the point of view of the human consumer, without negative effects on animal performance.

Notonectids are well-known predators in aquatic habitats, where mosquito larvae, chironomids, and cladocerans constitute their main diet. Our purpose was to assess the effect of structural complexity on the predatory ability of Buenoa fuscipennis, a common predator in aquatic habitats of Buenos Aires city (Argentina). Buenoa fuscipennis showed type 2 functional responses in both the presence and absence of prey refuge and no differences in attack rate or handling time between refuge treatments. Regarding mosquito size classes, B. fuscipennis exhibited a significantly higher preference for 2 nd instar larvae and no predation on pupae. In the presence of mosquito larvae and alternative prey, B. fuscipennis preferred mosquitoes over chironomid larvae and adult cladocerans over mosquito larvae. No switching behavior was detected in our experiments. Habitat structure only slightly affected the predator´s consumption rates on mosquito larvae. Overall, preference for prey did not vary with the presence of refuge, except for the preference for mosquitoes over chironomid larvae, which was significantly decreased in the presence of refuge as a consequence of reduced predation on mosquito larvae. The results suggest that B. fuscipennis could efficiently control mosquitoes in structurally simple habitats where chironomids are the most abundant alternative prey but not in temporary pools where cladocerans are abundant. Journal of Vector Ecology 38 (2): 215-223. 2013.

This paper presents the results of axial load tests performed on instrumented model piles pre-installed in a large-scale, half-circular chamber with a viewing window in its flat-side wall. Uniform silica sand samples were prepared with different densities using dry pluviation. The effects of pile surface roughness and soil density on the response of the soil during loading of the model piles were studied by analysing sequences of digital images using the digital image correlation technique. Test results show that the extent of the zone next to the pile that is affected by loading of the pile increases as the pile surface roughness and soil density increase. The development of a shear band next to the pile shaft was also studied by carefully analysing images taken with a digital microscope during loading of the model piles. The average thickness of the shear band is in the 3·2D50–4·2D50 range for rough model piles, whereas no shear band was observed for smooth model piles. Understanding of shear band formation along the pile–soil interface provides insights into the calculation of the shaft resistance of the pile as a function of initial soil density and stress as well as pile surface roughness.

ResumenLos bosques del género Polylepis, a pesar de cumplir un rol central en la ecología de los Altos Andes, constituyen en la actualidad uno de los ecosistemas más vulnerables de Sudamérica. Sin embargo, la percepción de su valor está cambiando y se está reduciendo su deforestación e incentivando su conservación. Con el objetivo de caracterizar la población de dos especies de Polylepis (P. reticulata y P. sericea) presentes en el bosque de la microcuenca de Paria -distrito de Huasta, se muestreó 109 parcelas de 400 m 2 , donde se evaluaron los árboles con DAP mayor o igual a 3 cm en sub-parcelas de 200 m 2 y a la regeneración natural en sub-parcelas de 25 m 2 . Este bosque se caracteriza porque la mayoría de los renuevos de P. reticulata tienen alturas entre 8 -33 cm, cobertura vegetal entre 1 -12% y densidades entre 11 -42 individuos/sub-parcela; el DAP de los árboles por lo general varía entre 9 -26 cm, alturas entre 5 -11 m y densidades entre 6 -17 individuos/sub-parcela. La mayoría de los renuevos de P. sericea se caracterizan por presentar alturas entre 25 -63 cm; los árboles presentan por lo general DAP entre 11 -20 cm y alturas entre 4 -7 m. En conclusión, se sugiere que el bosque de Polylepis de la microcuenca de Paria -distrito de Huasta sería uno de los más antiguos y mejor conservados del norte del Perú. Palabras clave: Queñua, bosques andinos, Polylepis reticulata, Polylepis sericea, regeneración, morfometría, Huasta. AbstractAlthough Polylepis forests play a major role in high Andean ecology, they are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems in South America. However the perception of their value is changing, reducing its deforestation and encouraging its conservation. The goal of this research was to characterize the populations of two Polylepis species (P. reticulata and P. sericea) located in the Paria micro-basin, Huasta District. A number of 109 patches were evaluated. 200 m2 sub-patches inside 400 m 2 sized patches were used to assess trees with higher than 3 cm DBH, and natural regeneration was assessed in 25 m 2 sub-patches. For P. reticulate trees, renewals have heights usually ranging from 8 to 33 cm, plant coverage varies between 1 -12%, and a population density of 11 -42 individuals/sub-patch is found; DBH generally varies between 9 -26 cm; the height ranges from 5 to 11 m, and population densities vary between 6 -17 individuals/sub-patch. For P. sericea, the majority of renewals are 25 -63 m high; the trees have DBH from 11 to 20 cm and are 4 -7 m high. We suggest that the Polylepis forest in the Paria micro-basin, Huasta District, would be one of the oldest and best preserved in Northern Peru.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with high morbidity if untreated. Sometimes, despite aggressive treatments, the disease remains active with cumulative organic damage. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive observational study of patients with SLE refractory to conventional treatment who were treated with rituximab (RTX) as remission induction therapy and maintenance. There was a significant reduction in the conventional immunosuppressive drug dose and the number of relapses of disease. RTX appeared to be effective and safe for the induction and maintenance of remission in patient with SLE refractory to conventional treatment.

Background B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and their receptors BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI are crucial factors for the survival of B lymphocytes. Recent evidence has also demonstrated the importance of BAFF/APRIL signaling in lupus nephritis (LN). This study evaluated the relationships between LN clinical characteristics and the urinary expression levels of BAFF, APRIL, and cognate receptors to assess their potential value as disease biomarkers. Methods Expression levels of these genes were assessed in urine samples collected from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients before renal biopsy using reverse transcription real-time PCR. Results Thirty-five patients with LN were included. Most of the patients were female (82.86%) with median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) of 15. BAFF mRNA was detectable in 28.57%, APRIL mRNA in 42.85%, BR3 mRNA in 48.57%, and TACI mRNA in 42.85% of urine samples. On the other hand, urinary (u)BCMA mRNA was not found in any sample. Urinary expression of most biomarkers was detected with greater frequency in class III and IV LN compared to class V LN. The expression level of uBR3 mRNA was correlated with SLEDAI-2K and histological activity index. Conclusion Urinary expression of BAFF/APRIL signaling factors, especially TACI, APRIL, and BR3 mRNAs, may be useful biomarkers for LN.

Mediante análisis multivariante se establecieron tres tipos de sistemas ganaderos en las dehesas andaluzas. En 49% de las explotaciones se detectó un sistema ganadero denominado conservacionista de dehesa que corresponde a pequeñas explotaciones de bovino y ovino con bajo nivel de intensificación y carga ganadera ajustada a la disponibilidad alimenticia usando ocasionalmente suplementación estratégica. Las explotaciones (21%) del sistema conservacionista de sierra y montaña son también de reducida dimensión, con predominio de pequeños rumiantes y bajo empleo de tecnología. El sistema productivista (30% de las explotaciones) corresponde a ganaderías con predominio de bovinos, de mayor dimensión y nivel tecnológico que utilizan elevados niveles de suplementación pues sus cargas ganaderas están por encima de la capacidad de la dehesa. Los tipos establecidos pueden servir de punto de partida para la caracterización técnica y económica de los sistemas ganaderos considerando su viabilidad actual y futura.