Characterization of retinal vascular and neural damage in a novel model of diabetic retinopathy

Purpose. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of blindness globally. Investigating the underlying mechanisms of DR would be aided by a suitable mouse model that developed key features seen in the human disease, and did so without carrying genetic modifications. This study was undertaken to produce such a model. Methods. Our panel of Collaborative Cross strains was screened for DR-like features after induction of diabetes by intravenous injection with alloxan or streptozotocin. Both flat-mounted whole-retina and histologic sections were studied for the presence of retinal lesions. Progression of DR was also studied by histologic examination of the retinal vascular and neural structure at various time points after diabetes onset. In addition, microarray investigations were conducted on retinas from control and diabetic mice. Results. Features of DR such as degenerated pericytes, acellular capillaries, minor vascular proliferation, gliosis of Müller cells, and loss of ganglion cells were noted as early as day 7 in some mice. These lesions became more evident with time. After 21 days of diabetes, severe vascular proliferation, microaneurysms, preretinal damage, increased Müller cell gliosis, and damage to the outer retina were all obvious. Microarray studies found significant differential expression of multiple genes known to be involved in DR. Conclusions. The FOT_FB strain provides a useful model to investigate the pathogenesis of DR and to develop treatments for this vision-threatening diseas

Destino ambiental dos herbicidas do grupo das imidazolinonas: revisão Environmental fate of imidazolinone herbicides: a review

Os herbicidas do grupo das imidazolinonas controlam um amplo espectro de plantas daninhas, sendo absorvidos pelas raízes e folhas e translocados pelo floema e xilema, acumulando-se nos pontos de crescimento. Esse grupo de herbicidas atua inibindo a enzima acetolactato sintetase (ALS), essencial no processo de síntese de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada em plantas. Quando aplicados nas lavouras, uma proporção significativa deles atinge o solo, onde são passíveis de serem absorvidos pelas raízes das plantas, sorvidos aos coloides do solo ou dissolvidos na sua solução, podendo sofrer fotólise, hidrólise, degradação microbiana ou lixiviação. A sorção das imidazolinonas é rápida e regula os outros processos. Altos conteúdos de argila e matéria orgânica e pH menor que 6,0 em solos aumentam a sorção e a persistência das imidazolinonas no solo. Condições que favoreçam o desenvolvimento de microrganismos aumentam a degradação das imidazolinonas, por ser essa a principal via de sua degradação.<br>The herbicides of the imidazolinone group control a wide range of weed species. They are absorbed by weed roots and leaves and transported through the phloem and xylem, accumulating in the plant growing points. They inhibit the enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS), which synthesizes the branched chain amino acids. When used in the field, a large portion of these herbicides reach the soil, where they can be absorbed by the roots of plants, sorbed into the soil colloids, or dissolved in soil solution, going through photolysis, hydrolysis, microbial degradation or leaching. The sorption of imidazolinone is faster and affects other processes. High contents of clay, organic matter and pH lower than 6.0 contribute to enhance the sorption and persistence of imidazolinones in soil. The most important way of dissipation is by microbial degradation, thus conditions favoring microbial development will also enhance imidazolinone degradation