Exploratory and territorial behavior in a reintroduced population of Iberian lynx.

In reintroduction projects, an analysis of dispersal, exploratory movements and territorial behavior of the species concerned offers valuable information on the adaptive management of threatened species and provides a basis for the management of future reintroductions. This is the case of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) an endemic and endangered species reintroduced in Extremadura (Spain) in 2014. We analysed spatial data from 32 individuals just after their reintroduction.

Parasites of the Reintroduced Iberian Lynx () and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain.

The Iberian lynx () is one of the most endangered felid species in the world. Conservation efforts have increased its population size and distribution and reinforced their genetic diversity through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Among several threats that the Iberian lynx faces, infectious and parasitic diseases have underlined effects on the health of their newly reintroduced populations, being essential to identify the primary sources of these agents and assess populations health status.

Disease Surveillance during the Reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx () in Southwestern Spain.

The restoration of Iberian lynx () populations in Extremadura (Southwestern Spain) have been carried out since 2014. One of the measures to ensure the success of this program is to examine the effects that diseases may have on reintroduction. Since diseases may be greatly located at certain sites because of the specific ecological requirements of the pathogens and/or vectors, reintroduced individuals may present a risk of infection once released.

Silicon-calcium phosphate ceramics and silicon-calcium phosphate cements: Substrates to customize the release of antibiotics according to the idiosyncrasies of the patient.

Bone substitutes based on calcium phosphates can be classified in two major groups: ceramics and cements. Both are biomaterials with excellent biocompatibility that have been studied as local delivery systems for drugs. This study aims to evaluate drug-release kinetics in silicon beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramics (Si-β-TCP) and in silicon calcium phosphate cements (Si-CPCs).

Estimating carnivore community structures.

Obtaining reliable estimates of the structure of carnivore communities is of paramount importance because of their ecological roles, ecosystem services and impact on biodiversity conservation, but they are still scarce. This information is key for carnivore management: to build support for and acceptance of management decisions and policies it is crucial that those decisions are based on robust and high quality information. Here, we combined camera and live-trapping surveys, as well as telemetry data, with spatially-explicit Bayesian models to show the usefulness of an integrated multi-method and multi-model approach to monitor carnivore community structures.

Effect of physicochemical properties of a cement based on silicocarnotite/calcium silicate on in vitro cell adhesion and in vivo cement degradation.

A silicon calcium phosphate cement (Si-CPC) was developed to produce a composite of calcium phosphate and calcium silicate. The silicon cements prepared with low silicon (Si) content were composed of crystalline phases of brushite and silicocarnotite. However, the cements prepared with high Si content were mainly composed of amorphous phases of silicocarnotite, hydroxyapatite and calcium silicate.

Magnesium substitution in brushite cements: Efficacy of a new biomaterial loaded with vancomycin for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most relevant pathogen associated with bone infection that sometimes appears after implant surgery, thus compromising a successful treatment. The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of brushite cements, doped with magnesium, as a new vancomycin carrier system against S.aureus infections.

Magnesium substitution in brushite cements for enhanced bone tissue regeneration.

We have synthesized calcium phosphate cements doped with different amounts of magnesium (Mg-CPC) with a twofold purpose: i) to evaluate in vitro the osteoblast cell response to this material, and ii) to compare the bone regeneration capacity of the doped material with a calcium cement prepared without magnesium (CPC). Cell proliferation and in vivo response increased in the Mg-CPCs in comparison with CPC. The Mg-CPCs have promoted higher new bone formation than the CPC (p<0.

Strontium ions substitution in brushite crystals: the role of strontium chloride.

The incorporation of strontium chloride to brushite cement was successful to introduce strontium ions within the lattice of brushite crystals. The effect of strontium ions on brushite cement properties was concentration dependent; such that, the addition of 5% and 10% (w/w) SrCl2 significantly increased the cement FST and the addition of 10% SrCl2 decreased the cement tensile strength. Further, cement weight loss was shown to be increased by cement modification with SrCl2.

Longitudinal pubertal growth according to age at pubertal growth spurt onset: data from a Spanish study including 458 children (223 boys and 235 girls).

Background: Age at pubertal growth spurt (PGS) onset varies and is sex-dependent. We present anthropometric pubertal growth data for five 1-year interval age maturity groups: very early, early, intermediate, late and very late.

Methods: Longitudinal growth study of 458 healthy children (223 boys, 235 girls).

Effect of silica gel on the cohesion, properties and biological performance of brushite cement.

The cohesion of calcium phosphate cements can be improved by the addition of substances to either the solid or liquid phase during the setting reaction. This study reports the effect of silica gel on brushite cement cohesion. The cement was prepared using a mixture of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate as the solid phase, while the liquid phase comprised carboxylic acids silica gel.

Doxycycline sustained release from brushite cements for the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Doxycycline (DOXY) is a wide spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of dental, periodontal, and bone infections. Brushite cements are calcium phosphate biomaterials especially interesting for bone regeneration processes. In this work, we describe the preparation of a brushite cement containing DOXY and the drug release from the cement.