Thermoregulatory profile of neurodegeneration-induced dementia of the Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rats.

AIM: Here, we have extensively investigated the relationship between thermoregulation and neurodegeneration-induced dementia of the Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular injections of streptozotocin (icv-STZ). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with bilateral injections of icv-STZ, and their thermoregulatory profiles (core body temperature, tail-skin temperature, cold and heat defence responses and thermal place preference) were evaluated. Spatial memory, locomotor activity, social interaction, brain ventricular volume, and Aß1-42 and tau protein levels in the brain were analysed to characterize the effects of STZ on the brain and behaviour. RESULTS: In addition to deficits in spatial memory, reduced social interaction and an increased brain ventricular volume, icv-STZ rats presented a pattern of hyperthermia, as demonstrated by an increased core body temperature. Hyperthermia was due to the activation of both autonomic heat conservation and behavioural cold avoidance, as STZ-treated rats presented tail-cutaneous vasoconstriction and an altered thermal preference. They also showed a distinct cold defence response when exposed to cold. CONCLUSION: Our data bring evidence that icv-STZ in rats causes hyperthermia, with activation of both autonomic and behavioural thermoregulatory defence responses when challenged at colder temperatures, leading us to hypothesize that they are more efficient in preventing hypothermia. These data are relevant for a better understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

Endometrial transcription of microbial molecular patterns receptors in Gyr and F1 Holstein x Gyr postpartum cows / Transcrição endometrial de receptores de padrões moleculares microbianos em vacas Gir e F1 Holandês x Gir após o parto

Zebu and Holstein x Zebu crossbred have low incidence of uterine infection when compared to Holstein cows. Resistance to uterine infections may be associated with the ability to recognize invading microorganisms. Endometrial transcription of microbial molecular patterns receptors has been investigated in the postpartum period of Holstein cows, but it is completely unknown in Zebu or Holstein x Zebu cows. In this study, 9 Gyr and 12 F1 Holstein x Gyr cows were submitted to endometrial biopsies at the first and seventh days postpartum, with the objective to measure transcription levels of toll-like receptors (TLRs) 1/6, 2, 4, 5, and 9; nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors 1 and 2; and coreceptors cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2). There was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in transcription of TLR5 in Gyr, and an increase in transcription of TLR9 in F1 cows, between the first and seventh day postpartum. Both groups had low incidences of uterine infections up to 42 days postpartum. Uterine involution completed at 27.7 ± 10.1 and 25.1 ± 4.7 days postpartum for Gyr and F1 cows, respectively. In Gyr cows, higher transcription levels of TLR1/6 and NOD1 correlated to a longer period required for uterine involution. In F1 cows, lower levels of TLR1/6, TLR2 and NOD2 correlated to a longer period required for uterine involution. In conclusion, some pathogen recognition receptors associated significantly with the time required for uterine involution in Gyr and F1 cows.(AU)

Vacas Zebu e mestiças Holandês x Zebu apresentam baixas incidências de infecções uterinas quando comparadas às Holandesas. A resistência às infecções uterinas pode estar relacionada com a capacidade de reconhecimento dos microrganismos invasores. A transcrição endometrial de receptores de padrões moleculares microbianos tem sido investigada em vacas Holandesas recém-paridas, porém ainda é desconhecida em vacas Zebu e mestiças Holandês x Zebu. No presente estudo, nove vacas Gir e 12 F1 Holandês x Gir foram submetidas a biópsias endometriais no primeiro e no sétimo dia após o parto, com o objetivo de mensurar os níveis de transcrição gênica dos receptores tipo Toll (TLRs) 1/6, 2, 4, 5 e 9; receptores tipo NOD 1 e 2; e dos coreceptores CD14 e MD-2. Houve diminuição significativa (P < 0,05) do nível de transcrição de TLR5 em vacas Gir e aumento da transcrição de TLR9 em vacas F1, entre o primeiro e o sétimo dia após o parto. Os dois grupos apresentaram baixas incidências de infecções uterinas até 42 dias pós-parto. O período de involução uterina foi de 27,7 ± 10,1 e 25,1 ± 4,7 dias pós-parto, para vacas Gir e F1, respectivamente. No grupo de vacas Gir, altos níveis de transcrição de TLR1/6 e NOD1 tiveram correlação significativa com o prolongamento do período de involução uterina. No grupo de vacas F1, baixos níveis de transcrição de TLR1/6, TLR2 e NOD2 foram associados a maiores períodos de involução uterina. Portanto, os níveis de transcrição endometrial de alguns receptores de padrões moleculares microbianos na primeira semana após o parto podem estar relacionados com o tempo requerido para ocorrência da involução uterina em vacas Gir e F1.(AU)

Modelo experimental de endometrite em vacas inoculadas com Escherichia coli inativada por meio de infusão uterina / Endometritis experimental model in cows inoculated with inactivated Escherichia coli by uterine infusion

The aim of this study was to evaluate the endometrial inflammatory response of nine Zebu cows inoculated through uterine infusion with 30 mL of inactivated Escherichia coli suspension (1 x 109 UFC/mL) and nine with 30 mL of sterile phosphate buffered saline. Endometrial biopsies were performed before and after the inoculations during estrus, and ten days later in the diestrus phase. Neutrophilic infiltrates were observed in 88.8% of samples from the E. coli group in estrus phase and demonstrated different degrees of endometrial inflammation. This study characterizes a suitable model for studying endometritis in cattle.(AU)

Tipping point analysis of atmospheric oxygen concentration.

We apply tipping point analysis to nine observational oxygen concentration records around the globe, analyse their dynamics and perform projections under possible future scenarios, leading to oxygen deficiency in the atmosphere. The analysis is based on statistical physics framework with stochastic modelling, where we represent the observed data as a composition of deterministic and stochastic components estimated from the observed data using Bayesian and wavelet techniques.

Synergistic effect between bioactive glass foam and a perfusion bioreactor on osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells.

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary science that combines a structural scaffold and cells to form a construct able to promote regeneration of injured tissue. Bioactive glass foam produced by sol-gel is an osteoinductive material with a network of interconnected macropores necessary for cell colonization. The use of human adipose-derived stem cell (hASC) presents advantages as the potential for a large number of cells, rapid expansion in vitro and the capability of differentiating into osteoblasts. The use of a bioreactor in three-dimensional cell culture enables greater efficiency for cell nutrition and application of mechanical forces, important modulators of bone physiology. The hASC seeded in a bioactive glass scaffold and cultured in osteogenic Leibovitz L-15 medium in a bioreactor with a flow rate of 0.1 mL min(-1) demonstrated a significant increase in cell proliferation and viability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity peak after 14 days. The immunofluorescence assay revealed an expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin and type I collagen from 7 to 21 days after culture. The cells changed from a spindle shape to a cuboidal morphology characteristic of osteoblasts. The polymerase chain reaction assay confirmed that osteopontin, osteocalcin, and ALP genes were expressed. These results indicate that hASCs differentiated into an osteogenic phenotype when cultured in bioactive glass scaffold, osteogenic Leibovitz L-15 medium and a perfusion bioreactor. Therefore, these results highlight the synergism between a bioactive glass scaffold and the effect of perfusion on cells and indicate the differentiation into an osteogenic phenotype.

Aspectos reprodutivos e produtivos de vacas da raça Holandesa com puerpério normal ou patológico / Reproductive and productive parameters of Holstein cows with normal or pathological puerperium

Foram avaliadas 103 vacas da raça Holandesa de primeira, segunda ou terceira ordens de lactação, com o objetivo de comparar aspectos reprodutivos e produtivos dos animais com puerpério normal ou patológico. Exames ginecológicos foram realizados semanalmente, do parto ao final do puerpério, por meio de palpação transretal, ultrassonografia e vaginoscopia. As incidências de partos gemelares, partos auxiliados, retenção de placenta e infecções uterinas até o primeiro serviço foram de 11,7%, 20,4%, 38,8% e 75%, respectivamente. A involução uterina e a primeira ovulação ocorreram aos 33,5±11,1 e 43,6±21,5 dias após o parto, respectivamente, com diferenças (P<0,001) entre vacas com ou sem infecção uterina. O primeiro serviço ocorreu aos 75,9±31,0 dias após o parto e a taxa de gestação foi de 20,7%. A produção de leite diária foi de 27,9±7,3 litros por vaca até 42 dias após o parto. O prejuízo com a redução na produtividade e o descarte do leite contaminado com resíduos de antibiótico foi equivalente a 598 litros de leite por vaca com retenção de placenta e infecção uterina. A alta incidência de transtornos puerperais interferiu na fertilidade e na produção de leite, causando elevado impacto econômico para a propriedade.

The study was performed with 103 Holstein cows of first, second or third orders of lactation, and aimed to compare reproductive and productive parameters of animals with normal or pathological puerperium. Uterine and ovarian examinations were performed weekly until 42 days after parturition, by rectal palpation, vaginoscopy and ultrasonography. The incidence of twin pregnancies, assisted births, retained placenta, and uterine infection until the first service, were 11.7%, 20.4%, 38.8% and 75%, respectively. Uterine involution and detection of the first corpus luteum occurred at 33.5±11.1 and 43.6±21.5 days after parturition, respectively, and differed (P<0.01) between cows with or without uterine infection. The first artificial insemination occurred in average at 75.9±31.0 days after parturition, and the pregnancy rate was 20.7%. Average daily milk yield was 27.9±7.3 liters/cow until 42 days after parturition. Financial losses related to decreased milk production and discarding of milk contaminated with antibiotic residues corresponded to 598 liters of milk/cow presenting retained placenta and uterine infection. The high incidence of puerperal diseases negatively affected the fertility and milk production, causing large economic impact to the milk production system.

Impact of maternal vitamin A supplementation on the mother-infant pair in Brazil.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem. The supplementation of lactating women could be an effective strategy to combat it. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of maternal vitamin A supplementation on the mother-infant pair. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a double blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical assay in which 33 women received 200 000 IU of vitamin A and 33 women received soy oil between 20th and 30th postpartum days. Maternal blood and milk samples were collected immediately before supplementation and 3 months after delivery, when blood was also collected from the babies. Retinol concentrations 0.70 µmol/l in serum and 1.05 µmol/l in milk were considered to indicate VAD. RESULTS: Increase in serum retinol level was observed in the supplemented group compared with the pre-supplementation levels (1.05 and 1.17 µmol/l, respectively; P=0.026) and to the post-supplementation levels of the control group (1.02 µmol/l; P=0.032). Reduction in breast milk retinol was observed in the control group compared with the pre-supplementation levels (1.93 and 1.34 µmol/l, respectively; P<0.0001) and to the post-supplementation levels of the supplemented group (1.56 µmol/l; P=0.0003). There was significant difference in the prevalence of VAD in breast milk after supplementation, 55.6% (15/27) in the control group and 16.1% (5/31) in the supplemented group (P=0.002). VAD was present in 66.1% (39/59) of infants, with mean serum retinol levels of 0.64±0.30 µmol/l in the control group and of 0.69±0.26 µmol/l in the supplemented group. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation had a positive impact on maternal vitamin A status. No effect on infant status was detectable 2 months after supplementation with a single dose.

Effect of synthesized inhibitors on babesipain-1, a new cysteine protease from the bovine piroplasm Babesia bigemina.

Papain-like cysteine proteases (CP) have been shown to have essential roles in parasitic protozoa and are under study as promising drug targets. One gene was identified by sequence similarity search to be homologous to the CP family in the ongoing Babesia bigemina genome sequencing project database. The newly identified CP gene, called babesipain-1, was cloned and expressed as a fusion protein, and the effect of different inhibitors on proteolytic activity was tested. A series of new artemisinin-vinyl sulfone hybrid molecules were tested as inhibitors being effective on the range of 0.3-30 microm, depending on the core-containing molecule.