Search

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is an emerging and neglected contagious skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, affecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Mange is the main disease and a major concern for the management and conservation of populations of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a medium-sized mountain ungulate endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Pyrenees. Differences in host-parasite interaction and host immune response determine mange clinical outcome, but little is known about the related differences in gene expression. This study determined blood and skin gene expressions in S. scabiei-experimentally infested Iberian ibexes. Results Infestation with S. scabiei promoted immune and inflammatory genomic responses both in skin and blood, with two different clinical outcomes: either severe infestation or recovery. Sarcoptes scabiei induced local skin immunosuppression to favour its multiplication and establishment of the infestation in the host. Skin gene expression was mostly inflammatory and inefficient to control mange in the severely infected ibexes. Conversely, the immune skin response of the recovered ibexes effectively recognised S. scabiei and activated T-cells, limiting the infestation. Consequently, inflammation-related genes were more expressed in the blood of the severely infested ibexes than in those that recovered. Conclusions The results demonstrate that skin local cellular immune response is key to control sarcoptic mange and prevent the systemic spread of the disease and the associated inflammatory response. These results will be useful to understand the pathogenesis and drivers of the differential outcome of mange at individual scale, and the population and ecological consequences of such variability in Iberian ibex, as well as in other wildlife species, domestic animals, and humans.

Although the idea of conserving parasites as part of biodiversity is not new, these in general and lice in particular, are not included in the threatened list of invertebrate fauna. Assuming that the conservation status of a lice species is similar to that of its host, the number of threatened lice within the Spanish entomofauna was estimated based on the known host-lice assemblages. The lice parasitizing many of the Spanish birds and mammals are unknown. Overall, I found 6 extinct (EX) species; 4 critically endangered (CR); 15 endangered (EN), 7 vulnerable (VU) and 1 species near threatened (NT), at regional level. Since the status of hosts varies through time and space, it, (together with those of their lice, must be periodically updated. In addition to a number of reasons that justify the conservation of parasites, lice deserve being conserved, particularly, because of their scientific value.

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is one of the main parasitic diseases affecting the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica. Scabietic animals suffer a decline in body condition and reproductive fitness and in severe cases may die. Although several previous studies of the pathology of this disease and the physiological changes it produces in ibex have been carried out in recent years, our knowledge of the relationship between Sarcoptes scabiei and other ectoparasites of this host is still limited. Methods We analysed 430 Iberian ibex skin samples. Ectoparasites were removed, counted and identified. Mite (S. scabiei) numbers were obtained after digesting the skin samples in a 5% KOH solution. We modelled mite numbers in terms of host sex and age, site, year, season and the presence of other ectoparasites such as ticks and lice using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and ectoparasite co-occurrence patterns using two different models: the probabilistic model species co-occurrence and the generalized linear latent variable model (GLLVM). Results The ectoparasite community was mainly composed of S. scabiei, six ticks (Haemaphysalis sulcata, Haemaphysalis punctata, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus and Ixodes ricinus) and two lice (Bovicola crassipes and Linognathus stenopsis). Adult male ibex harboured more mites than females. Mite numbers varied greatly spatially and seasonally and increased with the presence of other parasites. Some positive co-occurrence relationships between pairs of different ectoparasites were observed, particularly between ticks. The presence of S. scabiei negatively affected lice and H. sulcata numbers. Conclusions Sarcoptic mange has spread above all in ibex populations in and around the Mediterranean Basin, where it is now found in almost a third of its host’s range. Mite numbers varied seasonally and spatially and were higher in male hosts. The presence of S. scabiei had a negative effect on lice numbers but favoured the presence of ticks. Graphical Abstract

In December 2023, 35 third-instar larvae were collected from subcutaneous granulomatous cysts in a free-ranging markhor (Capra falconeri) hunted in the Dashtijum region of the Khazratishoh mountain range, Tajikistan. The larvae were identified as those of Przhevalskiana silenus (Diptera: Oestridae: Hypodermatinae). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an oestrid fly infestation in this host species.

Abstract Habitat loss is one of the main threats to species survival and, in the case of parasites, it is their hosts that provide their habitat. Therefore, extinction even at local scale of host taxa also implies the extinction of their parasites in a process known as co-extinction. This is the case of the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), which almost became extinct at the beginning of the twentieth century. After several attempts, this species was successfully reintroduced into the Alps at the end of the twentieth century. We collected 25 lice specimens from an electrocuted bearded vulture from Susa (Italian Alps) that were morphologically identified as Degeeriella punctifer. Six individuals were studied by scanning electron microscopy, with particular emphasis on their cephalic sensorial structures, while four further specimens were characterized at molecular level by amplifying partial regions of the 12SrRNA, COX1 and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1) genes. From a morphological perspective, the number, type and arrangement of the sensillae on the two distal antennal segments is quite similar to that of other species of the family Philopteridae (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera). The mandibles and tarsal claws allow lice to cling firmly to their host’s feathers. Phylogenetic analyses help unravel the paraphyletic nature of the genus Degeeriella and demonstrate the clear differentiation between lice parasitizing Accipitriformes and Falconiformes, as well as the close relationship between D. punctifer, D. fulva, D. nisus and Capraiella sp. that, along with other genera, parasitize rollers (Aves: Coraciiformes).

Trichinellosis is a notifiable zoonotic disease caused by parasitic nematode larvae belonging to the genus Trichinella. Domestic pig and wild boar are important hosts within the natural cycle of T. spiralis, the last one being an animal whose populations have experienced an important growth. Therefore, this paper studies the prevalence of Trichinella infection in wild boar in Spain, as well as its relation with hunting and its impact on public health during the period 2006–2019. For this purpose, different sources of information were consulted and analyzed depending on the autonomous communities of Spain and years. During the fourteen years of study, the number of wild boars hunted and the number of cases of Trichinella infection in them increased (from 172 cases in 2006 to 421 in 2019), although prevalence values remained low as the number of animals analyzed also increased. On the other hand, trichinellosis in humans tended to decrease (from a peak of 107 cases in 2007 to 11 cases in 2019). Nevertheless, the numbers of both wild boars and humans infected with Trichinella in Spain are among the highest in Europe, and this emphasizes the importance of food safety, sanitary controls of game meat and citizen awareness campaigns, which prevent the spread of Trichinella through the human population.

IntroductionSarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a disease with implications for wildlife conservation and management. Its severity depends on the host’s local skin immune response, which is largely unknown in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a mountain ungulate dramatically affected by mange. In this species, the clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange varies among individuals, and the local immune response could be key to controlling the infestation. This study aims to characterize the local cellular immune response and its relationship with the clinical outcome.MethodsFourteen Iberian ibexes were experimentally infested with S. scabiei and six more served as controls. Clinical signs were monitored, and skin biopsies were collected from the withers at 26, 46, and 103 days post-infection (dpi). The presence and distribution of macrophages (including M1 and M2 phenotypes), T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and interleukine 10 were quantitatively evaluated using immunohistochemical techniques.ResultsAn inflammatory infiltrate that decreased significantly from 26 to 103 dpi was observed in all the infested ibexes. The predominant inflammatory cell population in the skin of the mangy ibexes was formed by macrophages (mainly the M2 phenotype) followed by T lymphocytes, with lower numbers of B lymphocytes and plasma cells. Three clinical courses were identified: total recovery, partial recovery, and terminal stage. The inflammatory infiltrates were less pronounced in the fully recovered ibexes than in those that progressed to the terminal stage throughout the study.DiscussionThe results suggest an exacerbated but effective Th1-type cellular immune response controlling mange in Iberian ibex. Furthermore, the local immune response appears to determine the variability of the clinical responses to S. scabiei infestation in this species. This first report on the progression of local skin immune cells is relevant not only for individuals but also for population management and conservation.

Summary: Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most devastating and incurable cancers due to its aggressive behaviour and lack of available therapies, being its overall-survival from diagnosis ∼14-months. Thus, identification of new therapeutic tools is urgently needed. Interestingly, metabolism-related drugs (e.g., metformin/statins) are emerging as efficient antitumour agents for several cancers. Herein, we evaluated the in vitro/in vivo effects of metformin and/or statins on key clinical/functional/molecular/signalling parameters in glioblastoma patients/cells. Methods: An exploratory-observational-randomized retrospective glioblastoma patient cohort (n = 85), human glioblastoma/non-tumour brain human cells (cell lines/patient-derived cell cultures), mouse astrocytes progenitor cell cultures, and a preclinical xenograft glioblastoma mouse model were used to measure key functional parameters, signalling-pathways and/or antitumour progression in response to metformin and/or simvastatin. Findings: Metformin and simvastatin exerted strong antitumour actions in glioblastoma cell cultures (i.e., proliferation/migration/tumoursphere/colony-formation/VEGF-secretion inhibition and apoptosis/senescence induction). Notably, their combination additively altered these functional parameters vs. individual treatments. These actions were mediated by the modulation of key oncogenic signalling-pathways (i.e., AKT/JAK-STAT/NF-κB/TGFβ-pathways). Interestingly, an enrichment analysis uncovered a TGFβ-pathway activation, together with AKT inactivation, in response to metformin + simvastatin combination, which might be linked to an induction of the senescence-state, the associated secretory-phenotype, and to the dysregulation of spliceosome components. Remarkably, the antitumour actions of metformin + simvastatin combination were also observed in vivo [i.e., association with longer overall-survival in human, and reduction in tumour-progression in a mouse model (reduced tumour-size/weight/mitosis-number, and increased apoptosis)]. Interpretation: Altogether, metformin and simvastatin reduce aggressiveness features in glioblastomas, being this effect significantly more effective (in vitro/in vivo) when both drugs are combined, offering a clinically relevant opportunity that should be tested for their use in humans. Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; Junta de Andalucía; CIBERobn (CIBER is an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality).

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the gold-standard marker to screen prostate cancer (PCa) nowadays. Unfortunately, its lack of specificity and sensitivity makes the identification of novel tools to diagnose PCa an urgent medical need. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential sources of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers in several pathologies. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing for the first time the dysregulation of the whole plasma miRNome in PCa patients and its putative implication in PCa from a personalized perspective (i.e., obesity condition). Plasma miRNome from a discovery cohort (18 controls and 19 PCa patients) was determined using an Affymetrix-miRNA array, showing that the expression of 104 miRNAs was significantly altered, wherein six exhibited a significant receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to distinguish between control and PCa patients (area under the curve [AUC] = 1). Then, a systematic validation using an independent cohort (135 controls and 160 PCa patients) demonstrated that miR-107 was the most profoundly altered miRNA in PCa (AUC = 0.75). Moreover, miR-107 levels significantly outperformed the ability of PSA to distinguish between control and PCa patients and correlated with relevant clinical parameters (i.e., PSA). These differences were more pronounced when considering only obese patients (BMI > 30). Interestingly, miR-107 levels were reduced in PCa tissues versus non-tumor tissues (n = 84) and in PCa cell lines versus non-tumor cells. In vitro miR-107 overexpression altered key aggressiveness features in PCa cells (i.e., proliferation, migration, and tumorospheres formation) and modulated the expression of important genes involved in PCa pathophysiology (i.e., lipid metabolism [i.e., FASN] and splicing process). Altogether, miR-107 might represent a novel and useful personalized diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic tool in PCa, especially in obese patients.

Abstract Background Glioblastoma is one of the most devastating cancer worldwide based on its locally aggressive behavior and because it cannot be cured by current therapies. Defects in alternative splicing process are frequent in cancer. Recently, we demonstrated that dysregulation of the spliceosome is directly associated with glioma development, progression, and aggressiveness. Methods Different human cohorts and a dataset from different glioma mouse models were analyzed to determine the mutation frequency as well as the gene and protein expression levels between tumor and control samples of the splicing-factor-3B-subunit-1 (SF3B1), an essential and druggable spliceosome component. SF3B1 expression was also explored at the single-cell level across all cell subpopulations and transcriptomic programs. The association of SF3B1 expression with relevant clinical data (e.g., overall survival) in different human cohorts was also analyzed. Different functional (proliferation/migration/tumorspheres and colonies formation/VEGF secretion/apoptosis) and mechanistic (gene expression/signaling pathways) assays were performed in three different glioblastomas cell models (human primary cultures and cell lines) in response to SF3B1 blockade (using pladienolide B treatment). Moreover, tumor progression and formation were monitored in response to SF3B1 blockade in two preclinical xenograft glioblastoma mouse models. Results Our data provide novel evidence demonstrating that the splicing-factor-3B-subunit-1 (SF3B1, an essential and druggable spliceosome component) is low-frequency mutated in human gliomas (~ 1 %) but widely overexpressed in glioblastoma compared with control samples from the different human cohorts and mouse models included in the present study, wherein SF3B1 levels are associated with key molecular and clinical features (e.g., overall survival, poor prognosis and/or drug resistance). Remarkably, in vitro and in vivo blockade of SF3B1 activity with pladienolide B drastically altered multiple glioblastoma pathophysiological processes (i.e., reduction in proliferation, migration, tumorspheres formation, VEGF secretion, tumor initiation and increased apoptosis) likely by suppressing AKT/mTOR/ß-catenin pathways, and an imbalance of BCL2L1 splicing. Conclusions Together, we highlight SF3B1 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and an efficient pharmacological target in glioblastoma, offering a clinically relevant opportunity worth to be explored in humans.

Abstract Background In Spain, sarcoptic mange was first described in native wildlife in 1987 in Cazorla Natural Park, causing the death of nearly 95% of the local native population of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Since then, additional outbreaks have been identified in several populations of ibex and other wild ungulate species throughout the country. Although the first epizootic outbreak in wildlife was attributed to the introduction of an infected herd of domestic goats, the origin and the cause of its persistence remain unclear. The main aims of this study are to understand (i) the number of Sarcoptes scabiei “strains” circulating in wild ruminant populations in Spain, and (ii) the molecular epidemiological relationships between S. scabiei and its hosts. Methods Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic structure of 266 mites obtained from skin scrapings of 121 mangy wild ruminants between 2011 and 2019 from 11 areas in Spain. Results Seventy-three different alleles and 37 private alleles were detected. The results of this study show the existence of three genetic strains of S. scabiei in the wild ruminant populations investigated. While two genetic clusters of S. scabiei were host- and geography-related, one cluster included multi-host mites deriving from geographically distant populations. Conclusions The molecular epidemiological study of S. scabiei in wild ruminants in Spain indicates that the spreading and persistence of the parasite may be conditioned by host species community composition and the permissiveness of each host population/community to the circulation of individual “strains,” among other factors. Wildlife–livestock interactions and the role of human-driven introduction or trade of wild and domestic animals should be better investigated to prevent further spread of sarcoptic mange in as yet unaffected natural areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

El SARS-CoV-2 (en adelante, COVID-19) ha generado un impacto sin precedentes en la sociedad española a nivel sanitario y social. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar en qué medida factores sanitarios, sociales y psicológicos se relacionan con resiliencia durante la pandemia en la población española. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo y cross sectional y se aplicó un cuestionario creado ad hoc de 43 preguntas cerradas en formato online, a una muestra de 3.436 personas residentes en España durante la segunda prórroga del Estado de Alarma. Se ajustó un modelo lineal mixto con intersección aleatoria, estimado bajo un enfoque bayesiano. Los resultados muestran asociaciones positivas entre resiliencia y presentar sintomatología de COVID-19 (principalmente en hombres), así como haber sufrido fallecimientos en sus entornos. Asimismo, se obtienen relaciones negativas entre resiliencia y enfermedad previa diagnosticada, experimentar malestar emocional y estar desempleado a consecuencia de la actual pandemia, siendo este último efecto relevante principalmente entre los hombres. El factor género no influyó en la resiliencia, excepto en los casos señalados. El estudio permite concluir que identificar factores de riesgo sanitarios, sociales y psicológicos que inciden en la vulnerabilidad poblacional deben ser considerados en la planificación de políticas para afrontar la crisis actual.

Nasopharyngeal myiasis in red deer has never been studied in Portugal. For this reason, from December 2015 to February 2016 a study was derived on hunted red deer in Idanha-a-Nova county to evaluate the Diptera larvae presence. During the initial examination on the spot, the larvae was analysed at the nasopharynx. When present, larvae were collected for further species identification. The infestation prevalence was 50.6 ± 7.61% (CI 95%), and the mean parasitism intensity was 11.38 larvae per affected host. Two larvae species were found, Pharyngomyia picta and Cephenemyia auribarbis, both on single or concomitant infection, with the first species having a higher prevalence and mean infestation intensity than the second. The larvae’s prevalence was significantly higher (X2 = 4.35; p = 0.0370) in males (62.16 ± 11.05%) than in females (41.30 ± 10.06%). Within age groups, younger animals showed a higher prevalence. This study shows the presence of P. picta and C. auribarbis larvae in the wild red deer population in Portugal for the first time. The high parasitic prevalence and mean intensity highlight the importance of this parasitosis in this wild species. For this reason, more scientific research is required to accurately assess its prevalence in other geographic areas, and evaluate the risk factors as well effects of this parasitosis on the deer population.

Urbanization creates new ecological conditions that can affect biodiversity at all levels, including the diversity and prevalence of parasites of species that may occupy these environments. However, few studies have compared bird–ectoparasite interactions between urban and rural individuals. Here, we analyze the ectoparasite community and co-infection patterns of urban and rural burrowing owls, Athene cunicularia, to assess the influence of host traits (i.e., sex, age, and weight), and environmental factors (i.e., number of conspecifics per nest, habitat type and aridity) on its composition. Ectoparasites of burrowing owls included two lice, one flea, and one mite. The overall prevalence for mites, lice and fleas was 1.75%, 8.76% and 3.50%, respectively. A clear pattern of co-infection was detected between mites and fleas and, to less extent, between mites and lice. Adult owls harbored fewer ectoparasites than nestlings, and adult females harbored more lice than males. Our results also show that mite and flea numbers were higher when more conspecifics cohabited the same burrow, while lice showed the opposite pattern. Rural individuals showed higher flea parasitism and lower mite parasitism than urban birds. Moreover, mite numbers were negatively correlated with aridity and host weight. Although the ectoparasitic load of burrowing owls appears to be influenced by individual age, sex, number of conspecifics per nest, and habitat characteristics, the pattern of co-infection found among ectoparasites could also be mediated by unexplored factors such as host immune response, which deserves further research.

Abstract Background Defining hidden genetic diversity within species is of great significance when attempting to maintain the evolutionary potential of natural populations and conduct appropriate management. Our hypothesis is that isolated (and eventually small) wild animal populations hide unexpected genetic diversity due to their maintenance of ancient polymorphisms or introgressions. Results We tested this hypothesis using the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) as an example. Previous studies based on large sample sizes taken from its principal populations have revealed that the Iberian ibex has a remarkably small MHC DRB1 diversity (only six remnant alleles) as a result of recent population bottlenecks and a marked demographic decline that has led to the extinction of two recognized subspecies. Extending on the geographic range to include non-studied isolated Iberian ibex populations, we sequenced a new MHC DRB1 in what seemed three small isolated populations in Southern Spain (n = 132). The findings indicate a higher genetic diversity than previously reported in this important gene. The newly discovered allele, MHC DRB1*7, is identical to one reported in the domestic goat C. aegagrus hircus. Whether or not this is the result of ancient polymorphisms maintained by balancing selection or, alternatively, introgressions from domestic goats through hybridization needs to be clarified in future studies. However, hybridization between Iberian ibex and domestic goats has been reported in Spain and the fact that the newly discovered allele is only present in one of the small isolated populations and not in the others suggests introgression. The new discovered allele is not expected to increase fitness in C. pyrenaica since it generates the same protein as the existing MHC DRB1*6. Analysis of a microsatellite locus (OLADRB1) near the new MHC DRB1*7 gene reveals a linkage disequilibrium between these two loci. The allele OLADRB1, 187 bp in length, was unambiguously linked to the MHC DRB1*7 allele. This enabled us to perform a DRB-STR matching method for the recently discovered MHC allele. Conclusions This finding is critical for the conservation of the Iberian ibex since it directly affects the identification of the units of this species that should be managed and conserved separately (Evolutionarily Significant Units).

Abstract Background Space use by animals is determined by the interplay between movement and the environment, and is thus mediated by habitat selection, biotic interactions and intrinsic factors of moving individuals. These processes ultimately determine home range size, but their relative contributions and dynamic nature remain less explored. We investigated the role of habitat selection, movement unrelated to habitat selection and intrinsic factors related to sex in driving space use and home range size in Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica. We used GPS collars to track ibex across the year in two different geographical areas of Sierra Nevada, Spain, and measured habitat variables related to forage and roost availability. Results By using integrated step selection analysis (iSSA), we show that habitat selection was important to explain space use by ibex. As a consequence, movement was constrained by habitat selection, as observed displacement rate was shorter than expected under null selection. Selection-independent movement, selection strength and resource availability were important drivers of seasonal home range size. Both displacement rate and directional persistence had a positive relationship with home range size while accounting for habitat selection, suggesting that individual characteristics and state may also affect home range size. Ibex living at higher altitudes, where resource availability shows stronger altitudinal gradients across the year, had larger home ranges. Home range size was larger in spring and autumn, when ibex ascend and descend back, and smaller in summer and winter, when resources are more stable. Therefore, home range size decreased with resource availability. Finally, males had larger home ranges than females, which might be explained by differences in body size and reproductive behaviour. Conclusions Movement, selection strength, resource availability and intrinsic factors related to sex determined home range size of Iberian ibex. Our results highlight the need to integrate and account for process dependencies, here the interdependence of movement and habitat selection, to understand how animals use space. This study contributes to understand how movement links environmental and geographical space use and determines home range behaviour in large herbivores.

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange has been identified as the most significant infectious disease affecting the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Despite several studies on the effects of mange on ibex, the pathological and clinical picture derived from sarcoptic mange infestation is still poorly understood. To further knowledge of sarcoptic mange pathology, samples from ibex were evaluated from histological, microbiological and serological perspectives. Methods Samples of skin, non-dermal tissues and blood were collected from 54 ibex (25 experimentally infected, 15 naturally infected and 14 healthy). Skin biopsies were examined at different stages of the disease for quantitative cellular, structural and vascular changes. Sixteen different non-dermal tissues of each ibex were taken for histological study. Acetylcholinesterase and serum amyloid A protein levels were evaluated from blood samples from ibex with different lesional grade. Samples of mangy skin, suppurative lesions and internal organs were characterized microbiologically by culture. Bacterial colonies were identified by a desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry system (MALDI TOF/TOF). Results The histological study of the skin lesions revealed serious acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, rete ridges, spongiotic oedema, serocellular and eosinophilic crusts, exocytosis foci, apoptotic cells and sebaceous gland hyperplasia. The cellular response in the dermis was consistent with type I and type IV hypersensitivity responses. The most prominent histological findings in non-dermal tissues were lymphoid hyperplasia, leukocytosis, congestion and the presence of amyloid deposits. The increase in serum concentrations of acetylcholinesterase and amyloid A protein correlated positively with the establishment of the inflammatory response in mangy skin and the presence of systemic amyloidosis. A wide variety of bacterial agents were isolated and the simultaneous presence of these in mangy skin, lymph nodes and internal organs such as lungs, liver, spleen and kidney was compatible with a septicaemic pattern of infection. Conclusions The alteration of biomarkers of inflammation and its implication in the pathogenesis of the disease and development of lesions in non-dermal tissues and septicaemic processes are serious conditioners for the survival of the mangy ibex. This severe clinical picture could be an important factor when considering the decision to eliminate animals that exceed a certain disease threshold from a population.

Abstract Background Both parasitic load and resource availability can impact individual fitness, yet little is known about the interplay between these parameters in shaping body condition, a key determinant of fitness in wild mammals inhabiting seasonal environments. Methods Using partial least square regressions (PLSR), we explored how temporal variation in climatic conditions, vegetation dynamics and sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) severity impacted body condition of 473 Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) harvested between 1995 and 2008 in the highly seasonal Alpine ecosystem of Sierra Nevada Natural Space (SNNS), southern Spain. Results Bottom-up regulation was found to only occur in healthy ibexes; the condition of infected ibexes was independent of primary productivity and snow cover. No link between ibex abundance and ibex body condition could be established when only considering infected individuals. Conclusions The pernicious effects of mange on Iberian ibexes overcome the benefits of favorable environmental conditions. Even though the increase in primary production exerts a positive effect on the body condition of healthy ibexes, the scabietic individuals do not derive any advantage from increased resource availability. Further applied research coupled with continuous sanitary surveillance are needed to address remaining knowledge gaps associated with the transmission dynamics and management of sarcoptic mange in free-living populations.

Abstract Background In sexually dimorphic species, male susceptibility to parasite infection and mortality is frequently higher than in females. The Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is a sexually dimorphic mountain ungulate endemic to the Iberian Peninsula commonly affected by sarcoptic mange, a chronic catabolic skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Since 1992, sarcoptic mange affects the Iberian ibex population of the Sierra Nevada Natural Space (SNNS). This study aims at exploring whether mange severity, in terms of prevalence and its effects on body condition, is male-biased in Iberian ibex. Findings One thousand and seventy-one adult Iberian ibexes (439 females and 632 males) were randomly shot-harvested in the SNNS from May 1995 to February 2008. Sarcoptic mange stage was classified as healthy, mildly infected or severely infected. Sex-biased prevalence of severe mange was evaluated by a Chi-square test whereas the interaction between mange severity and sex on body condition was assessed by additive models. Among scabietic individuals, the prevalence of severely affected males was 1.29 times higher than in females. On the other hand, both sexes were not able to take profit of a higher availability of seasonal food resources when sarcoptic, particularly in the severe stages. Conclusions Sarcoptic mange severity is male-biased in Iberian ibex, though not mange effects on body condition. Behavioural, immunological and physiological characteristics of males may contribute to this partial sex-biased susceptibility to sarcoptic mange.

ResumenIntroducción y objetivos: La angioplastia primaria restablece de manera rápida y mantenida la permeabilidad de la arteria coronaria responsable del infarto agudo de miocardio, disminuye significativamente la mortalidad, y mejora el pronóstico y la calidad de vida a largo plazo. El objetivo fue describir la evolución clínica de los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio tratados con angioplastia primaria. Método: Estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo con 69 pacientes, recepcionados de 8:00 am a 4:00 pm, tratados con angioplastia primaria en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular, desde el 1 de julio de 2007 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2008. Se realizó seguimiento clínico durante 180 días, donde se evaluó la frecuencia de sucesos clínicos mayores: muerte, reinfarto, angina postinfarto e inestable, necesidad de nueva revascularización y hemorragia mayor. Resultados: El tabaquismo y la hipertensión arterial tuvieron una prevalencia elevada. La localización inferior del infarto y la enfermedad de un vaso fueron las más frecuentes. Prevaleció el resultado inmediato exitoso. Los casos fallidos se relacionaron, con la coronaria derecha, el flujo TIMI 0 - 1 y el tiempo de evolución mayor de seis horas. Los sucesos clínicos mayores en el seguimiento fueron escasos y más frecuentes durante los primeros 30 días de seguimiento. Conclusiones: La angioplastia primaria realizada durante las primeras seis horas después del comienzo de los síntomas, es un procedimiento eficaz para tratar el infarto agudo de miocardio, debido al predominio del resultado exitoso y la escasa frecuencia de sucesos clínicos mayores durante seis meses de seguimiento clínico. / AbstractIntroduction and Objectives: Primary coronary angioplasty reestablishes fast and sustained way the permeability of acute myocardial infarction related artery. It decreases the mortality, improves the prognosis and quality of life to long-term. The objective was to describe patients' clinical evolution with acute myocardial infarction treated by primary coronary angioplasty. Method: A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was performed in 69 patients, who were admitted to the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute, from July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. All patients underwent primary coronary angioplasty. A clinical evolution was made during 180 days, where frequency of major clinic events were evaluated: death, re-AMI, angina post-AMI, unstable angina, need of new re-vascularization and major hemorrhage. Results: The tobacco addiction and hypertension had an elevated prevalence. The inferior infarction location and single vessel disease were the most frequent. The immediate successful result prevailed. The failed cases was related with the right coronary artery, TIMI 0-1 flow and evolution time bigger six hours. The major clinic events were limited and it was more frequent during the first 30 days follow-up. Conclusions: Primary coronary angioplasty underwent during the first six hours after symptoms onset is an efficacious procedure, due to the predominance of the successful result and fewer frequency of major clinic events during six months follow-up.

La estratificación pronóstica de los pacientes tratados mediante intervencionismo coronario percutáneo constituye una herramienta útil para su mejor manejo. Objetivo stent convencional. Método stent test de log rank. Para el cálculodel valor predictivo independiente se utilizó el método de regresión de Cox. Resultados EL seguimiento medio fue de 7,8 ± 1,6 meses, un 15,8% de los pacientespresentó algún evento adverso, con una tasa de supervivencia libre de muerte cardiaca del 97,98%, de necesidad de revascularización de la lesión diana convencional. Se definió como eventos cardiacos adversos mayores:muerte de causa cardiaca, necesidad de nueva revascularización de la lesión diana, infarto no fatal, ingreso por angina inestable aguda y todos combinados. Las tasas de supervivencia fueron estimadas por el método de Kaplan-Meier y comparadas mediante el Se incluyeron 101 pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria establetratados mediante intervencionismo coronario percutáneo electivo con Identificar factores pronósticos de eventos cardiacos adversos mayores enpacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria estable, tratados mediante el implante de

Introducción y objetivos: La cardiopatía isquémica constituye la primera causa de muerte en nuestro país. Existen diferencias entre sexos en cuanto a la respuesta a los distintos factores de riesgo, las formas de presentación y la respuesta al tratamiento. El objetivo es determinar las diferencias entre hombres y mujeres con Síndrome Coronario Agudo con elevación del segmento ST sometidos a Angioplastia Coronaria Transluminal Percutánea en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular. Método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, transversal, de 659 pacientes, sometidos a Angioplastia Coronario percutáneo en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular de Cuba con diagnóstico de Síndrome Coronario Agudo con Elevación del Segmento ST en el período comprendido entre enero del 2003 y enero del 2009. Resultados: Predominó el sexo masculino, 75,6%, la edad media de las mujeres fue 62,21 ± 12,27 vs 59,13 ± 11,16 años la de los hombres. Se encontró una significativa prevalencia de los factores de riesgo en el sexo masculino, con la única excepción de la dislipoproteinemia que tuvo un comportamiento similar en ambos sexos (p< 0,05). La enfermedad de 1 vaso fue superior en hombres (72,8% p=0,0008), siendo la arteria descendente anterior la más afectada 49,1%, en ambos géneros (p = 0,08). La ACTP electiva representó el 68%. La tasa de éxito de la ACTP fue superior al 90% comportándose de forma similar en ambos géneros. Conclusiones: Existen diferencias con respecto a la edad y principales factores de riesgo coronario, no así en relación al número de vasos enfermos y al resultado del proceder intervencionista. Summary Introduction: The ischemic heart disease is the first cause of death in our country. Differences exist among sexes as for the answer to the different risk factors, the presentation forms and the answer to the treatment. The aim of this study is determinate the differences between men and women with Acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation subject to percutaneous coronary intervention at the Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery Institute. Method: It was carried out a retrospective, descriptive, traverse study, of 659 patients, subjected to percutaneous coronary intervention at the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation in the period understood between January of the 2003 and January of the 2009. Results: The masculine sex 75, 6%, prevailed. The mean age of the women was 62, 21 ± 12, 27 vs 59, 13 ± 11,16 years that of the men. It was a significant prevalence of the risk factors in males, with the only exception of the dyslipidaemia that had a similar behaviour in both sexes (p

Introduction: The ischemic heart disease is the first cause of death in our country. Differences exist among sexes as for the answer to the different risk factors, the presentation forms and the answer to the treatment. The aim of this study is determinate the differences between men and women with Acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation subject to percutaneous coronary intervention at the Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery Institute.Method: It was carried out a retrospective, descriptive, traverse study, of 659 patients, subjected to percutaneous coronary intervention at the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation in the period understood between January of the 2003 and January of the 2009.Results: The masculine sex 75, 6%, prevailed. The mean age of the women was 62, 21 ± 12, 27 vs 59, 13 ± 11,16 years that of the men. It was a significant prevalence of the risk factors in males, with the only exception of the dyslipidaemia that had a similar behaviour in both sexes (p

The Ischemic heart disease constitutes the main cause of mortality in most of the industrialized countries. The influence of the sex in clinicalresult and in the answer to the treatment of the patients with acute coronary syndrome is not very certain.The present work is intended to describe the differences by sex in the patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevationadmitted in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit at the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute.A retrospective, descriptive study was carried out. It included 495 patients that entered in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit at the Cardiologyand Cardiovascular Surgery Institute of Cuba with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation, in the periodfrom January 1st,2005 to December 31st, 2008. With the objective of determinate the differences between men and women with acute CoronarySyndromes without elevation of the segment ST. The demographic characteristics were extracted, the definitive diagnosis at the momentof discharge, the angiographic characteristic of the subjected patients, the need for revascularization and their immediate results. Thebiggest presence of clinical events was determined to short and medium term.The sixth decade of the life, the masculine sex and the white race were the most affected by acute coronary syndrome without ST segmentelevation. The tobacco consumption was prevalent in women. The unstable angina was presented with a higher incidence to that reportedwithout differences in relation to the sex. The major clinical events (death, infarction, recurrent angina) went scarce to the month and the 180days without differences between men and women.Significant differences existed in the behavior of the acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation among the sexes, fundamentallyin the prevalence of the main risk factors and the distribution of the lesions in the coronary tree. Significant differences didn't exist whenanalyzing the results of the revascularization and the long term follow up

The stent thrombosis is a clinical event whose incidence is not well clarified, since, with a lotof frequency, the angiographic confirmation it is not used as an inclusion criteria in clinicaltrials. Although it is a not very common complication, it’s severity is given, fundamentally,because their form of presentation is the sudden death or the myocardial infarction with STsegment elevation in 80% of the patients. The case of 58 years old female patient, is presentedwith a very late thrombosis in a conventional stent, 5 years and 8 months after theinstallation of the device in the right coronary artery.

Rickettsia felis, formerly called ELB agent, was identified by using molecular biology techniques in the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) from southwestern Spain. For the first time this flea-transmitted rickettsia has been detected within its vector in Eurasia.

Mensualmente se recolecto semen de doce borregos de raza Tabasco por el método de la electroeyaculacion. Los valores obtenidos en la primera eyaculación a los 230.9 +- 0.5 dí­as de edad y 29.4 +- 0.5 ml, 70.0 +- 0.3%, 255.1 +- 0.8 x 〖10〗^7 y 6.9 +- 9.4 %, respectivamente. En la segunda eyaculación los valores obtenidos fueron: 0.3 +- 0.3 ml, 66.0 +- 0.5%, 129.1 +- 〖10〗^7 y 3.6 +- 1.3%, respectivamente. A los 422.0 +- 5.7 dí­as de edad y 44.0 +- 9.0 kg los valores obtenidos en la primera eyaculación fueron: 0.8 +- 0.9 ml, 71.0 +- 7.5%, 285.2 +- 23.0 x 〖10〗^7 y 4.6 +- 3.8%, respectivamente. La eyaculación fue obtenida entre 30.5 y 50.2 volts. Las caracterí­sticas experimentales desde una edad temprana son similares a las razas de borrego de clima templado.