Using an immunocytochemical technique, we have studied in the alpaca brainstem the distribution of immunoreactive structures containing prodynorphin (alpha-neoendorphin)- and pro-opiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotrophin hormone (18–39) (ACTH), beta-endorphin (1–27))-derived peptides. No peptidergic-immunoreactive cell body was observed. Immunoreactive fibres were widely distributed, although in most of the brainstem nuclei the density of the peptidergic fibres was low or very low. In general, the distribution of the immunoreactive fibres containing the peptides studied was very similar. A close anatomical relationship occurred among the fibres containing alpha-neoendorphin, ACTH or beta-endorphin (1–27), suggesting a functional interaction among the three peptides in many of the brainstem nuclei. The number of fibres belonging to the prodynorphin system was higher than that of the pr...

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had taken the world by surprise since its discovery on December 2019, causing major losses worldwide. In this work, a deep learning model was developed to predict and forecast the daily SARS-CoV-2 cases on the Peruvian regions. The data used belongs to the open covid–19 data set, sourced by the Health Ministry of Peru (MINSA). The data set includes the periods from March 03, 2020 to March 16, 2021. A holdout approach was used, creating a training and validation data splits. Using the validation set, a temporal convolution neural network (TCN) composed by five layers was developed. The model was design to predict a mean tendency alongside with a prediction interval. To find the best hyper parameter configuration, a Bayesian approach was applied over the validation set. The TCN model was trained using the optimal configurati...

At present, the use of DNA extracted from non-invasive samples, especially feces, is common practice in the discipline of conservation genetics. Even though DNA analysis is often difficult mainly due to the composition and preservation of feces has been shown in many species with the development of suitable extraction methods is possible to maximize the reliability and effectiveness of such procedures. The objective of this study has been optimization of a protocol for the extraction of DNA from vicuña feces (Vicugna vicugna mensalis), species classified as Near Threatened in Peru, in order to obtain DNA of sufficient quality for molecular analysis. A total of 51 samples were taken from vicuña dung piles in two communities located 4600 meters above sea level in the dry Puna ecosystems of the regions of Junin and Moquegua between August and September 2008. After observing defecation, sa...

Actualmente es posible determinar el estatus de especies silvestres mediante el análisis de ADN extraído de muestras no invasivas como las heces. Aunque dichos análisis suelen ser dificultosos debido principalmente a la composición y conservación de las heces, se ha demostrado en muchas especies que con el desarrollo de métodos adecuados de extracción es posible maximizar la fiabilidad y eficacia de este procedimiento. Por tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue optimizar un método de extracción de ADN de heces de vicuña Vicugna vicugna mensalis, especie clasificada como casi amenazada en el Perú, con la finalidad de obtener ADN de suficiente calidad para análisis moleculares. Se recolectaron 51 muestras de heces durante los meses de agosto y septiembre de 2008 en dos comunidades vicuñeras ubicadas a más de 4600 msnm en los departamentos de Junín y Moquegua. Luego de o...

Introduction. The distribution of the immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers containing neurotensin in the alpaca diencephalon was determined by an immunohistochemical technique. Material and methods. The study was carried out in four male alpacas that lived at sea level. Brains of deeply anesthetized animals were fixed by perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. Cryostat sections were stained by a standard immunohistochemical method. Results. Cell bodies containing neurotensin were observed in the zona incerta and hypothalamus. A low/moder-ate density of these cell bodies was observed in the lateral hypothalamic area, anterior and dorsal hypothalamic areas, suprachiasmatic nucleus, periventricular region of the hypothalamus and in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. In both thalamus and hypothalamus, immunoreactive fibers showed a widespread distribution. In the thalamus, a high density of...

This work has been supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (BFU2005-02241/BFI), Spain and by the CONCYTEC: PROCYT project 2006, Peru. The authors thank Ewing Rafael Duque for his technical assistance, N. Skinner for stylistic revision of the English text and Professor Gerard Tramu (University of Bordeaux I, France) for kindly providing the CGRP antiserum.

The authors thank Professor Gérard Tramu (University of Bordeaux I, France) for kindly providing the first antisera and N. Skinner (University of Salamanca, Spain) for stylistic revision of the English text. This work has been supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (BFU2005-02241/BFI), Spain and the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (BFU2008-03369/BFI), Spain and by the CONCYTEC: PROCYT project 2006, Peru.

This work has been supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (BFU2005-02241/BFI), Spain and by the CONCYTEC: PROCYT project 2006, Peru. The authors thank Ewing Rafael Duque for his technical assistance, N. Skinner for stylistic revision of the English text and Professor Gerard Tramu (University of Bordeaux I, France) for kindly providing the CGRP antiserum.