Unsaturated lipid bodies as a hallmark of inflammation studied by Raman 2D and 3D microscopy.

Endothelial HMEC-1 cells incubated with pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α for 6 and 24 hours were studied as a model of inflammation using Raman imaging. Striking changes in distribution, composition and concentration of cellular lipids were observed after exposure to TNF-α compared to the control. In particular, 3D Raman imaging revealed a significant increase in the amount of lipid entities formed under inflammation. Lipid bodies were randomly distributed in the cytoplasm and two types of droplets were assembled: more saturated one, in spectral characteristics resembling phosphatidylcholine and saturated cholesteryl esters, observed also in the control, and highly unsaturated one, containing also cholesterols, being a hallmark of inflamed cells. The statistical analysis showed that the number of lipid bodies was significantly dependent on the exposure time to TNF-α. Overall, observed formation of unsaturated lipid droplets can be directly correlated with the increase in production of prostacyclins - endogenous inflammation mediators.

Childhood socioeconomic position, adult socioeconomic position and social mobility in relation to markers of adiposity in early adulthood: evidence of differential effects by gender in the 1978/79 Ribeirao Preto cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal studies drawn from high-income countries demonstrate long-term associations of early childhood socioeconomic deprivation with increased adiposity in adulthood. However, there are very few data from resource-poor countries where there are reasons to anticipate different gradients. Accordingly, we sought to characterise the nature of the socioeconomic status (SES)-adiposity association in Brazil. METHODS: We use data from the Ribeirao Preto Cohort Study in Brazil in which 9067 newborns were recruited via their mothers in 1978/79 and one-in-three followed up in 2002/04 (23-25years). SES, based on family income (salaries, interest on savings, pensions and so on), was assessed at birth and early adulthood, and three different adiposity measures (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) ascertained at follow-up. The association between childhood SES, adult SES and social mobility (defined as four permutations of SES in childhood and adulthood: low-low, low-high, high-low, high-high), and the adiposity measures was examined using linear regression. RESULTS: There was evidence that the association between SES and the three markers of adiposity was modified by gender in both adulthood (P<0.02 for all outcomes) and childhood SES (P<0.02 for WC and WHR). Thus, in an unadjusted model, linear regression analyses showed that higher childhood SES was associated with lower adiposity in women (coefficient (95% confidence intervals) BMI: -1.49 (-2.29,-0.69); WC: -3.85 (-5.73,-1.97); WHR: -0.03 (-0.04,-0.02)). However, in men, higher childhood SES was related to higher adiposity (BMI: 1.03 (0.28,-1.78); WC: 3.15 (1.20, 5.09); WHR: 0.009 (-0.001, 0.019)) although statistical significance was not seen in all analyses. There was a suggestion that adult SES (but not adult health behaviours or birthweight) accounted for these relationships in women only. Upward mobility was associated with protection against greater adiposity in women but not men. CONCLUSION: In the present study, in men there was some evidence that both higher childhood and adulthood SES was related to a higher adiposity risk, while the reverse gradient was apparent in women.

[Onset of Crohn's disease induced by etanercept therapy: a case report]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Maladie de Crohn induite par l'Etanercept: à propos d'une nouvelle observation.

A 27-year-old-man was diagnosed as having ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in 2003 and received a treatment by etanercept. Typical symptoms of active Crohn's disease (CD) developed 11 months after initiation of etanercept therapy. At colonoscopy, lesions compatible with CD were found endoscopically and histologically. Etanercept was interrupted and CD responded to standard treatment. A switch to infliximab was decided to treat a flare up ofAS. New onset CD may be considered an immune mediated injury induced by etanercept, but the causative role of the latter has not been demonstrated at this stage.

Selective uptake of naked vaccine RNA by dendritic cells is driven by macropinocytosis and abrogated upon DC maturation.

Even though it is known for more than one decade that antigen-encoding RNA can deliver antigenic information to induce antigen-specific immunity against cancer, the nature and mechanism of RNA uptake have remained enigmatic. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of naked RNA administered into the lymph node. We observed that RNA is rapidly and selectively uptaken by lymph node dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the efficient internalization of RNA by human and murine DCs is primarily driven by macropinocytosis. Selective inhibition of macropinocytosis by compounds or as a consequence of DC maturation abrogated RNA internalization and delivery of encoded antigens. Our findings imply that bioavailability of recombinant RNA vaccines in vivo highly depends on the density and the maturation stage of DCs at the administration site and are of importance for the design of RNA-based clinical immunotherapy protocols.

Phosphorothioate cap analogs increase stability and translational efficiency of RNA vaccines in immature dendritic cells and induce superior immune responses in vivo.

Vaccination with in vitro transcribed RNA coding for tumor antigens is considered a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and has already entered human clinical testing. One of the basic objectives for development of RNA as a drug is the optimization of immunobioavailability of the encoded antigen in vivo. By analyzing the effect of different synthetic 5' mRNA cap analogs on the kinetics of the encoded protein, we found that m(2)(7,2'-O)Gpp(S)pG (beta-S-ARCA) phosphorothioate caps, in particular the D1 diastereoisomer, profoundly enhance RNA stability and translational efficiency in immature but not mature dendritic cells. Moreover, in vivo delivery of the antigen as beta-S-ARCA(D1)-capped RNA species is superior for protein expression and for efficient priming and expansion of naïve antigen-specific T cells in mice. Our findings establish 5' mRNA cap analogs as yet another module for tuning immunopharmacological properties of recombinant antigen-encoding RNA for vaccination purposes.

Thermal stability of alkali and alkaline-earth substituted LAMOX oxide-ion conductors.

The high temperature demixing/recombination phenomenon previously observed in Ca-substituted La(2)Mo(2)O(9) oxide ion conductors [A. Selmi et al., Solid State Ionics, 2006, 177, 3051; Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2008, 1813] has been visualised using scanning electron microscopy and EDX analysis. The demixed state appears as CaMoO(4) straight solid streams erupted from pores within LAMOX grains. The thermal stability study is extended to other alkali and alkaline-earth substituted LAMOX compounds, all of which are shown, in temperature-controlled X-ray diffractograms, to present similar demixing/recombination processes. The most spectacular effect is observed in La(1.88)K(0.12)Mo(0.6)W(1.4)O(8.88) where demixing takes the form of a total decomposition, before full recombination at a higher temperature. Such a phenomenon is interpreted as originating from temperature-dependent solid solution limits with higher substitutional ranges at higher temperatures. It results in the metastabilisation of pure phases by quenching (or rapid cooling), whereas the stable state is demixed, as shown on slowly cooled samples.

Comparison of xylazine and medetomidine as premedicants for cats being anaesthetised with propofol-sevoflurane.

The effects of premedicating cats with saline, xylazine or medetomidine before anaesthetising them with propofol-sevoflurane were compared. Twenty-four cats were randomly assigned to three groups of eight to receive either 0.25 ml of saline, 0.50 mg/kg of xylazine or 0.02 mg/kg of medetomidine intravenously, and anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Medetomidine produced a greater reduction in the induction dose of propofol and fewer adverse postoperative effects than saline or xylazine. Hypoxaemia was observed after induction with propofol in the cats premedicated with saline and xylazine, but not in the cats given medetomidine. The cats treated with medetomidine and xylazine developed profound bradycardia. The blood pressure of the cats premedicated with saline and xylazine decreased, but the blood pressure of the cats premedicated with medetomidine was maintained. The cats premedicated with saline took longer to recover from anaesthesia than the other two groups.

Infusão contínua de propofol em gatos pré-medicados com cetamina-midazolam / Continuous infusion of propofol after ketamine-midazolam premedication in cats

Estudaram-se os efeitos anestésicos e cardiorrespiratórios produzidos pela infusão contínua de propofol em gatos pré-medicados com a associação cetamina-midazolam. Catorze gatos adultos foram igualmente distribuídos em dois grupos (TX1 e TX3) aos quais administraram-se, pela via intramuscular, cetamina (3,0mg/kg) e midazolam (0,3mg/kg). Decorridos cinco minutos procedeu-se a indução anestésica pela administração intravenosa de propofol (5,0mg/kg), imediatamente seguida pela infusão contínua do agente hipnótico nas doses de 0,1 ou 0,3mg/kg/min, aos animais de TX1 e TX3, respectivamente. Foram mensuradas as freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, temperatura retal, saturação de oxihemoglobina, concentração exalada de dióxido de carbono e pressão arterial. Em TX3 observou-se manutenção de adequado plano anestésico, enquanto que os animais do TX1 apresentaram-se sedados. Houve decréscimo acentuado da freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial e elevação da concentração de dióxido de carbono exalado no TX3. Conclui-se que o emprego de propofol na dose de infusão de 0,3mg/kg/min em gatos pré-medicados com cetamina-midazolam produz anestesia satisfatória, bradicardia, depressão da função respiratória e pressão arterial.

Avulsão do tendão do extensor digital longo associada à luxação patelar lateral crônica em cão da raça Poodle

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Tonometry in adult yellow-footed tortoises (Geochelone denticulata).

OBJECTIVE: To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult yellow-footed tortoises using applanation tonometry. ANIMALS: Fifteen healthy adult captive yellow-footed tortoises (eight males and seven females). PROCEDURES: Intraocular pressures were estimated for tortoises by using an applanation tonometer after topical anesthesia. Body length, measured from nuchal to anal scutes, ranged from 27.5 to 57.2 cm. Five measurements from each eye were obtained by a single observer in an ambient temperature of approximately 30 degrees C. RESULTS: Mean +/- SEM IOP of 30 eyes of 15 yellow-footed tortoises was 14.2 +/- 1.2 mmHg. Range of IOP was 6-30 mmHg for tortoises. Significant differences were detected neither between right and left eyes (P = 0.357) of individual tortoises, nor between males and females (P = 0.524). Observer's readability was good (intraclass coefficient = 0.65), and IOP did not change over the ordered five measurements. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in IOP between males and females in this specie. Tonometry values for normal eyes may represent a useful diagnostic methodology for recognition and treatment of ocular diseases in reptiles.

Clinical use of dexmedetomidine as premedicant in cats undergoing propofol-sevoflurane anaesthesia.

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects and efficacy of dexmedetomidine as a premedicant agent in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy anaesthetized with propofol-sevoflurane. Cats were randomly divided into two groups of eight animals each. Dexmedetomidine (0.01 mg/kg) or 0.9% saline was administered intravenously (D and S, respectively). After 5 min, propofol was administered intravenously and anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. Heart and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressure, oxygen saturation, rectal temperature and the amount of propofol needed for induction were measured. Premedication with dexmedetomidine reduced the requirement of propofol (6.7+/-3.8 mg/kg), but induced bradycardia, compared with the administration of saline (15.1+/-5.1 mg/kg). Recovery quality was significantly better in D but no significant difference in time to return of swallowing reflex was observed between groups (D=2.5+/-0.5 min; S=3.2+/-1.8 min). In conclusion, dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective agent for premedication in cats undergoing propofol-sevoflurane anaesthesia with minimal adverse effects.

Efeitos do carprofeno no ganho de força tênsil muscular e cutânea em ratas (Rattus norvegicus) submetidas à Laparorrafia mediana

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Emprego de n-butil-cianoacrilato associado ou não à sutura na síntese de gastrotomias em ratos (Rattus norvegicus)

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Osteossarcoma de patela em cão. Relato de caso

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Alteraçöes eletrocardiográficas em cäes pré-medicados com levomepromazina e submetidos à anestesia por propofol e sevoflurano / Electrocardiographic changes in dogs under propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia after pre-medication with levomepromazine

Avaliaram-se as variáveis eletrocardiográficas em cäes submetidos à anestesia pelo sevoflurano. Foram empregados 16 cäes clinicamente sadios, adultos, machos ou fêmeas, com peso médio de 15±3,5kg. Administrou-se levomepromazina (1,0 mg/kg) seguida pela administraçäo de propofol (5,0 mg/kg), ambos pela via endovenosa. Os animais foram intubados e submetidos à anestesia inalatória com sevoflurano diluído em oxigênio, através de circuito semi-fechado na concentraçäo de 3,5V por cento. As aferiçöes das freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, oximetria, capnometria, pressöes arteriais sistólica, diastólica e média e das variáveis eletrocardiográficas foram realizadas imediatamente antes da administraçäo da levomepromazina, 15 minutos após e imediatamente antes da administraçäo do propofol, após 15 minutos da administraçäo do agente inalatório e consecutivamente a cada 20 minutos. Após administraçäo de levomepromazina, propofol e sevoflurano observou-se decréscimo das pressöes arteriais sistólica e média. A levomepromazina ocasionou prolongamento do intervalo QT. O sevoflurano promoveu prolongamento da onda P e aumento de sua amplitude aos 70 e 130 minutos de anestesia, respectivamente, além de prolongamento do intervalo QT. Concluiu-se que a anestesia por sevoflurano, nas condiçöes deste experimento, promoveu prolongamento do intervalo QT, sem no entanto incorrer em arritmias

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament associated with deformity of the proximal tibia in five dogs.

Excessive mechanical stress due to caudal sloping of the tibial plateau may result in early breakdown of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL). Five dogs with CrCL rupture associated with caudal sloping of the proximal tibial plateau are described. All were small dogs, of between three and six years of age, with a mean bodyweight of 9.3 kg, which had acute hindlimb lameness. Radiographic examination revealed cranial displacement of the tibia, with a tibial angle varying from 58 to 60 degrees. All cases were treated with a lateral fabellotibial suture and cranial cuneiform osteotomy of the proximal tibia. All dogs were using the operated limb three days after surgery, with normal gait re-established after a mean period of 10 days. Excessive tibial plateau sloping is not a frequent cause of hindlimb lameness in small animals, although it is important to consider it as a predisposing factor for rupture of the CrCL.

[Cardiogenic shock in the acute phase of myocardial infarction]. / Le choc cardiogenique a la phase aigue de l'infarctus du myocarde.

Cardiogenic shock (CC) is the most common cause of death in acute myocardial infarction (MI) and it has been often associated with fatal evolution. The aim of this study is to emphasize the positive impact of myocardial revascularisation especially percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on short and mid term survival of 35 patients hospitalised for acute MI with CC. All the 11 patients who were on conventional therapy died, whereas the hospital mortality rate of the 24 patients who underwent primary PTCA was 41%. PTCA in CC complicating MI is highly effective and reduces the mortality rate in the literature from 80% to 40%. For this reason PTCA should be performed in each case of MI with CC seen in the first 6 hours.

Oral and maxillofacial reconstruction in a cat using wire and acrylic.

A 15-month-old DSH cat was presented with facial deformity secondary to multiple oral and maxillofacial fractures after being struck by an automobile. Multiple wires and dental acrylics were used for fracture repair.

Representational abilities and the hearing status of child/mother dyads.

Two representational abilities, expressive and receptive language and symbolic play, were assessed in multiple formats in hearing and deaf 2-year-old children of hearing and deaf mothers. Based on maternal report, hearing children of hearing and deaf mothers produced more words than deaf children of hearing mothers, hearing children of hearing mothers more words than deaf children of deaf mothers, and deaf children of deaf mothers more words than deaf children of hearing mothers. Based on experimenter assessments, hearing children in both groups produced and comprehended more words than deaf children in both groups. By contrast, no differences emerged among these groups in child solitary symbolic play or in child-initiated or mother-initiated child collaborative symbolic play; all groups also increased equivalently in symbolic play between solitary and collaborative play. Representational language and symbolic play were unrelated in hearing children of hearing mothers and in deaf children of deaf mothers, but the 2 abilities were associated in children in the 2 child/mother mismatched hearing status groups. These findings are placed in the context of a proposed developing modularity of verbal and nonverbal symbol systems, and the implications of hearing status in communicative exchanges between children and their mothers in diverse hearing and deaf dyads are explored.