The nuclear stage at which oocytes are cryopreserved influences further development ability and cryopreservation affects ultrastructure of both cumulus cells and the oocyte. In this work, we analyze the effects of vitrification at different nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation stages on the oocyte ultrastructure and developmental ability. Culture in TCM199 + PVA with roscovitine 25 M during 24 h led to meiotic arrest (MA) in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), while permissive in vitro maturation (IVM) was performed in TCM199, 10% FCS, FSH-LH and 17b-estradiol for 24 h. Oocytes were vitrified using the open pulled straw method (OPS) with minor modifications. Fresh and vitrified/warmed COCs were fixed as immature, after IVM, after meiotic arrest (MA) and after MA + IVM.Vitrification combined with MA followed by IVM produced the highest rates of degeneration, regardless of the vitrification time. As a consequence, lower proportions of embryos cleaved in these groups, although differences were eliminated at the five-eight cell stage. Development rates up to day 8 were similar in all experimental groups, being significantly lower than those in fresh controls. Only oocytes vitrified after IVM were able to give blastociysts. The morphological alterations observed can be responsible for compromised development. More research is needed to explain the low survival rates of the bovine oocyte after vitrification and warming. #

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a sustained propylene glycol administration to recipients of frozen/thawed in vivo derived bovine embryos. Heifers were treated with oral propylene glycol for the last 20 days before embryo transfer (n ¼ 142), and untreated as controls (n ¼ 133). Progesterone, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, glucose, urea and triglyceride were analysed in blood on Day 0 and Day 7 of the estrous cycle corresponding to embryo transfer. The heifers were selected as recipients when showing progesterone levels <2.0 ng/ml (Day 0) and >2.5 ng/ml (Day 7), according to corpus luteum quality on Day 7 by technicians unaware of animals treated.Within treated animals, significantly more recipients were selected, and increased progesterone, corpus luteum quality, pregnancy and calving rates were recorded. Day 7 progesterone concentrations were higher in heifers treated and transferred. Propylene glycol increased insulin and insulin-likegrowth factor-I, but glucose, urea and triglyceride did not vary.Furthermore, insulin-like-growth factor-I, glucose and triglyceride increased at estrous time, but urea decreased and insulin remained unaltered. Together with the sustained gain in pregnancy rates throughout the experiment (2 years), other evidences suggested that the observed effects did not rely on nutritional deficiency. Thus, propylene glycol improved pregnancy rates after embryo-transfer, and progesterone, insulin and insulin-like-growth factor-I are probably involved in this effect. #

Report of a caseA 1-month-old Hispanic boy was referred to our department of dermatology for an erythroderma, with the suspicion of seborrheic dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. The first lesions had developed 5 days before on the palms and spread to involve the entire body, associated with an increased irritability. Furthermore the patient was healthy and was fed since his birth exclusively with artificial milk.Physical examination revealed a generalized squamous erythroderma ( Fig. 1). Micropustules, vesicles and several burrows were found on the palms, soles and arms. Papules and vesicles were also present on the face and neck, and a widespread secondary eczematisation was noted particularly on the trunk and legs. General examination was normal without lymphadenopathy and hepato-splenomegaly. Routine laboratory tests were within normal limits with the exception of hypereosinophilia in the blood-cell count (1800/mm 3 ). No history of itching neither cutaneous lesions were observed after examination of the parents. With the exception of the parents, further relatives were not examined.Our clinical suspicion was scabies with a secondary erythroderma. Microscopic examination of burrows scraping revealed a mite of Sarcoptes scabiei hominis (S.S.H.) confirming our diagnosis.The patient was treated in our institution with topical application of permethrin 5% cream from scalp to toes for 6 hours before rinsing with water and soap. The application was repeated one week later and the family members were treated too. A topical corticosteroid was also prescribed to control the secondary eczematisation. One month after the treatment, there was no evidence of recurrence. After 3 years of follow up, the child is healthy without recurrence of any cutaneous symptoms.Scabies is a contagious disorder caused by infestation of the skin by S.S.H. It is characterized by pruritus and a cutaneous eruption of variable severity. Furthermore in neonates, scabies is often misdiagnosed because lesions differ both clinically and morphologically from those in older children and adults. Typical lesions in infants tend to be more widespread distributed, including the face, neck, palms and soles; areas not generally affected in older children and adults [4,5]. The lesions are more often papular, vesicular and nodular with an early tendency to pustules formation. Moreover, the pathognomonic linear burrows are rarely observed and can be obliterated by vesiculation, excorations, crusting, eczematous secondary changes and vigorous hygiene. Irritability, tiredness and poor feeding are also quite characteristic as a result of pruritus [4,5].The diagnosis of scabies in neonates is difficult. Scabies can mimic frequent dermatitis in neonates such as atopic Eur J Pediatr (2007) 166:979-980

Summary: Seagrasses are globally threatened ecosystems with essential ecological roles. An important limitation in seagrass conservation efforts is the poor understanding of resilient meadows. The present work studies a meadow, which maintained a large population of Zostera marina and Zostera noltei, during the decline of seagrasses in the Bay of Santander (from 1984 to 2000). The work examines resilience parameters related to the biological traits (biomass, density, length and width of the leaves) and to the associated benthic assemblages. The maturity of the meadow and the changing environmental conditions induced by the torrential regime of the Miera River, have likely improved the resistance to the periods of stress. The adaptation to these fluctuating conditions is reflected in a high seasonal and spatial variability in the biomass, density, morphological traits and benthic assemblages. These variations are related to the summer peaks in the PAR, the sea surface temperature and the freshwater influence along the discharge of the Miera River. This work provides the first seagrass data in Cantabria. The data are dated in the early 2000s and constitute a baseline study for the Bay of Biscay.