Cormorant Pellets as a Tool for the Knowledge of Parasite-intermediate Host Associations and Nematode Diversity in the Environment.

Anisakids are usually acquired through the diet. Cormorant pellets are useful to detect both parasite larval stages, and prey items which could act as intermediate hosts in the environment. The current study provides information about the feeding habits of both birds and mammals, and the diversity of parasites circulating in the environment. The objective of the study was to identify Anisakidae larvae and prey items in pellets from the Imperial shag Phalacrocorax atriceps and the Red-legged cormorant P. gaimardi, suggesting possible parasite-prey associations. A total of 92 P. atriceps' and 82 P. gaimardi's pellets were collected from both Punta León, and Isla Elena bird colonies, respectively, during the period from 2006 to 2010. Pellets were preserved in ethanol and hard prey item remnants, and nematode larvae were studied using standard techniques. Prey item occurrence, nematode prevalence, and mean intensity were calculated. A correspondence analysis was performed to evaluate the larvae-prey association. Contracaecum spp., Pseudoterranova spp,, Anisakis spp., Terranova spp., and Hysterothylacium spp. third-stage larvae (L3) were identifi ed in pellets. Pseudoterranova spp. and Anisakis spp. L3 predominated in the environment of Punta León, whereas Contracaecum spp. and Hysterothylacium spp. L3 predominated in the Puerto Deseado area. The highest larvae-prey association was that of Contracaecum spp. L3 with Engraulis anchoita, followed by with Odontestes sp. in P. atriceps' pellets. Contracaecum spp. L3 were significantly related to both sprats, Sprattus fueguensis and Ramnogaster arcuatta, in P. gaimardi's pellets. It was verifi ed that E. anchovy is the main gateway of Contracaecum spp. L3 in P. atriceps. Odonthestes sp. might act as an intermediate/paratenic host of Contracaecum spp. L3 in the area. Both sprats might play a role as intermediate/paratenic hosts of C. australe, being the main gateway into P. gaimardi in the area. Thus, pellet analysis can be postulated as a good tool for indicating parasite-host associations between anisakids, and the prey items which act as intermediate hosts.

Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of two cell therapy protocols in equine suspensory ligament repair / Avaliação histológica e imunoistoquímica do reparo do ligamento suspensório equino tratado com dois protocolos de terapia celular

This study aimed to histologically evaluate the quality of tissue repair in equine suspensory ligament treated with two cell therapy protocols. All four limbs of six animals were operated simultaneously to remove a fragment in each ligament using a skin biopsy punch. Two days later, intralesional injections were performed using bone marrow mononuclear fraction (BM group), cultivated cells derived from adipose tissue (AT group), saline (positive control group), or no treatment (negative control group), in such way that each horse received all treatments. After sixty days biopsies were performed for histological analysis (H & E, Masson's trichrome and picrosirius red) and immunohistochemistry analysis (collagen type III). Histological findings (H & E and Masson's trichrome), birefringence intensity (through picrosirius) and collagen type III expression (through immunohistochemistry) were analyzed. Samples from treated groups had better birefringence intensity (P=0.007) and fiber alignment scores were superior compared to controls, though not statistically significant (P=0.08). Presence of inflammatory cells and intense staining for collagen type III occurred in all groups demonstrating an active healing process. In conclusion, both protocols resulted in improvement of tissue repair indicating their potential to be used as an adjuvant treatment of equine suspensory ligament disorders.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo a avaliação histológica e imunoistoquímica do reparo do ligamento suspensório equino tratado com dois protocolos de terapia celular. Os quatro membros dos seis animais do experimento foram submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico em que um fragmento de cada ligamento foi retirado, utilizando-se punch de biópsia. Dois dias após o procedimento, aplicações intralesionais foram realizadas, por meio de aspirado de medula óssea (bone marrow-BM), células mesenquimais derivadas de tecido adiposo (adipose tissue-AT), solução salina (positive control group-PC) ou controle (negative control-NC). Após 60 dias, biópsias foram retiradas da região de reparo dos ligamentos e foram submetidas à análise histológica (HE, tricrômio de Masson, picrosírius red) e imunoistoquímica (colágeno tipo III). Diferentes variáveis histológicas (HE e tricrômio de Masson), a intensidade de birrefringência das fibras colágenas (picrosírius red) e a expressão de colágeno tipo III foram avaliadas. Os grupos tratados apresentaram maior birrefringência (P=0,007) e alinhamento de fibras (P=0,08) comparados ao controle, para o qual o resultado não se mostrou estatisticamente significativo. Achados histológicos e imunoistoquímicos demonstraram um processo ativo de reparo tecidual em todos os grupos. Concluiu-se que os dois protocolos de terapia celular apresentaram melhora no reparo tecidual, demonstrando potencial terapêutico adjuvante no tratamento de afecções do ligamento suspensório equino.(AU)

Vascular reactivity in middle cerebral artery and basilar artery by transcranial Doppler in normals subjects during hypoxia.

The anatomical and physiological differences between the carotid and vertebrobasilar circulations suggest the possibility of a different response to variations in systemic pO2. We evaluated cerebrovascular response (CR) in these two systems by monitoring variations in the blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral and basilar arteries during hypoxia. Eighteen healthy, non-smoking volunteers underwent transcranial Doppler study during a state of hypoxia obtained by means of the rebreathing method. Oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SaO2) was monitored using a pulsoxymeter in the 88-94% range. The cerebral blood flow velocity (BFV) was measured in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the basilar artery (BA). Our findings indicate that the mean blood flow velocity (MFV) in the BA changes at a lower rate than that in the MCA during hypoxia.

Correction of hypoxia and hypercapnia in COPD patients: effects on cerebrovascular flow.

To assess the responsiveness of cerebral blood flow to arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pa,CO2), arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2), and pH modifications, in chronic hypercapnia, we measured middle cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) by transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 13 chronically hypercapnic, long-term ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in the following conditions: 1) breathing room air; 2) with oxygen supplementation; 3) during mechanical noninvasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation (nIPPV) with O2 enrichment. Under baseline conditions (room air), the CBFV was within the normal range. During oxygen administration, a statistically significant increase was obtained in Pa,O2 (6.5 +/- 0.6 vs 11.2 +/- 1.9 kPa (49.1 +/- 4.3 vs 84.3 +/- 14.6 mmHg)), without relevant variations in: CBFV (54.2 +/- 9.1 cm.s-1), Pa,CO2 (8.6 +/- 1.0 kPa (64.7 +/- 7.7 mmHg)) and hydrogen ion concentration [H+] (42.9 +/- 2.9 nM), compared to baseline values (CBFV = 52.8 +/- 10.7 cm.s-1; Pa,CO2 = (8.4 +/- 0.9 kPa (63.1 +/- 7.1 mmHg; [H+] = 41.8 +/- 2.8 nM). After nIPPV, Pa,O2 did not increase any further (10.6 +/- 1.7 kPa (79.2 +/- 12.7 mmHg)), while CBFV (40.9 +/- 12.6 cm.s-1), Pa,CO2 (7.5 +/- 1.3 kPa (56.2 +/- 9.4 mmHg)) and [H+] (39.1 +/- 4.6 nM) showed a significant reduction compared to oxygen therapy (p < 0.01). We therefore conclude that in chronically hypercapnic long-term ventilated patients cerebral blood flow depends mainly on changes in Pa,CO2 and [H+], whilst oxygen does not seem to interfere with cerebral flow velocity. The reduction of Pa,CO2, due to mechanical ventilation, may determine cerebral blood vessel constriction, with possible impairment of cerebral functions.

Surgery for chronic pancreatitis: what quality of life ahead?

We attempted to evaluate the quality of life of patients with proved long-lasting chronic pancreatitis. We measured the clinical and psychological status of 60 patients who had undergone various surgical treatments for their disease. The presence and severity of depression and other symptoms of distress were assessed, as were disease-specific functional and physical problems. Few patients had serious conditions, such as pain, malnutrition, or psychoneurotic complaints. The relation between depression and the time of onset of symptoms and of surgery appeared doubtful, and no statistically significant correlations were found between severity of emotional disturbance and other functional characteristics. Insulin-dependent diabetes and correlated diseases had the most negative influence on everyday well-being. Postoperative follow-up and the need for recurrent medical control and care did not lead to negative feelings.

Substrate-stimulated oxygen consumption by isolated rat brain microvessels in the presence and absence of ATP.

We report here properties of isolated brain microvessels such as the rate of oxygen consumption with different substrates; the permeabilizing effect of added ATP is studied. With the isolation procedure presented the cerebral endothelium has a metabolic activity comparable to that reported in the literature. The respiratory rate of the microvessels is not affected by the addition of ATP, whereas it is significantly increased by addition of succinate and alpha-chetoglutarate. The exposure of the isolated brain capillaries to ATP, in a Ca(2+)-free medium, increases the uptake of 6-carboxyfluorescein. This may be due to pores opened by ATP in the endothelial cell membrane in the absence of divalent cations.

Proteolytic activity and calcium concentration in muscle wasting conditions.

The Authors studied the role of proteolytic activity in specimens from denerved and dystrophic human muscles. The Calcium ions concentration was determined in the same samples, for evaluating the possibility of a correlation between these parameters. A significative increase in proteolytic activity was demonstrated for denerved and dystrophic muscles. Calcium ion's concentration was decreased in atrophic muscles compared to controls. No correlation was possible between the two parameters.

Inhibitory effect of imipramine on epinephrine-dependent platelet aggregation: "in vitro" studies on platelets from healthy and depressed people.

Inhibitory effect of imipramine on platelet aggregation in healthy and depressed people was studied. A different sensitivity was observed between healthy and depressed people. Two groups (D I and D II) were identified among depressed patients on the basis of sensitivity to imipramine effect. ID50 was calculated for healthy subjects (59.5 +/- 22 microM) and depressed patients (D I: 20 +/- 7 microM - D II: 117 +/- 49).

Interaction between RNAs from different sources and egg lecithin liposomes.

The interaction of RNAs of molecular weight ranging between 15,000 and 30,000 with egg lecithin large and small unilamellar liposomes has been investigated. Torula and tRNA proved to be incorporated to a similar extent but no linear relationship between molecular weight and percent of incorporation was demonstrated. A relationship between percent of secondary structure of RNA and its ability to be trapped in SUV liposomes is suggested.

Change of catalytic properties of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase after binding to lecithin liposomes.

Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine + phosphatidylcholine liposomes were prepared with cholate and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7). Dipalmitoyllecithin- and egg lecithin-acetylcholinesterase complexes exhibit an affinity for acetylthiocholine different from that of the free enzyme. The binding to lecithin apparently abolishes the excess substrate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase; the affinity constants of acetylthiocholine, acetylcholine and acetylcarnitine for the lecithin-bound enzymes are higher than the ones found for the free enzyme. Binding to lecithin decrease the optimum pH value for acetylcholinesterase, increase the resistance of the enzyme to heat denaturation and reduces the extent of activation by Ca2+.

Insulin-lecithin interaction in non-aqueous solvents and its change after application of a static electric field.

The interaction between dipalmitoyl lecithin and egg lecithin with insulin was studied in a non-aqueous solvent such as dioxane-chloroform (1:1) by dielectric constant measurements and absorption spectra. The electrostatic character of the interaction results from the dielectric measurements and the effect of an external application of a static electric field (F = 30 kV/cm) is apparently related to the strength of such an interaction. The different strength of interaction of insulin with the two types of lecithins results also from experiments with a two-phase system.

Liposome-incorporated enzymes: studies on amylase.

Alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) from hog pancreas was incorporated into artificial phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine liposomes. To kinetically follow the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of amylose the liposome-bound amylase was incubated in a medium containing amylose-iodine substrate. The reaction was studied at different concentrations of amylose and at different ionic strengths. Activation of amylase incorporated into liposomes by chloride ions varies with the type of phospholipid utilized to prepare the liposomes. Whe amylase bound to negative charged liposomes was used, a sigmoidal relationship between the reaction velocity and substrate concentration was found. Incorporation into liposomes protects amylase from heat inactivation.

Properties of two derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) capable of abolishing Cardiazol- and bicuculline-induced convulsions in the rat.

The gamma-NH2 function of GABA was blocked with either benzoyl group (BG1) or a pivaloyl (timethylacetyl) group (PG2). The two derivatives of GABA obtained by the synthetic procedure were chemically pure and fully characterized. Both 14C-BG1 and 14C-PG2, unlike 14-C-GABA, are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier in rats after subcutaneous injection. BG1 reached its highest concentration in brain 5 min after injection and PG2 after 30 min. This difference appears to be related to the different hydrophobic character of the two compounds, measured after experiments of partition in a water ethylacetate system, and to the different rate of diffusion following subcutaneous administration. BG1 abolished pentetrazole- and bicuculine-induced convulsions in rat when injected 5 min before the administration of the convulsants and PG2 had similar effects when injected 30 min before convulsants. BG1 and PG2 had a slight inhibitory effect on GAD and both BG1 and PG2 acted as substrates for the action of proteolytic enzymes that convert the two compounds back to GABA. Toxicity of both BG1 and PG2 was practically undetectable in rat following administration of the compounds up to 1 g/kg. Glutamate oxidation by rat brain mitochondria was not affected by either BG1 or PG2.

Effect of ACP (pyridoxine-2-oxoglutarate) on hepatic failure after diversion of portal blood flow.

The protective effect of pyridoxine-2-oxoglutarate (ACP) was studied in end-to-side porto-caval shunted rats. A significant improvement of hepatic conditions was shown in ACP-treated rats, while an increased mortality was observed in pyridoxine and 2-oxoglutarate treated rats. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transminase, glutamicpyruvic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activities, composition of serum proteins, liver mitochondria oxygen consumption rate, plasma ammonia were tested.

Electric hysteresis and mitochondrial incorporation of RNAs from different sources.

The paper reports the characteristics of four different RNAs from yeast, Torula and calf thymus of molecular weight ranging between 15,000 and 30,000. The gel-filtration behaviour with aqueous and partially qqueous solvents is studied together with the response of the four RNAs to static electric fields of strength ranging between 20 and 35 kV/cm. The relationship between molecular weight and extent of electric hysteresis is linear for all RNAs, while tRNA slightly deviates from such a relationship. The ability of the RNAs to permeate biological mebranes or bind membrane components such as lecithins is studied with rat liver mitochondria and a two-phase system with egg lecithin dissolved in the organic phase and RNA in the aqueous one. There is no apparent relationship between molecular weight of the RNAs and their ability to interact with biological membranes.