Histological evaluation of the distribution of systemic AA-amyloidosis in nine domestic shorthair cats.

Amyloidosis is a group of protein-misfolding disorders characterized by the accumulation of amyloid in organs, both in humans and animals. AA-amyloidosis is considered a reactive type of amyloidosis and in humans is characterized by the deposition of AA-amyloid fibrils in one or more organs. In domestic shorthair cats, AA-amyloidosis was recently reported to be frequent in shelters. To better characterize this pathology, we report the distribution of amyloid deposits and associated histological lesions in the organs of shelter cats with systemic AA-amyloidosis. AA-amyloid deposits were identified with Congo Red staining and immunofluorescence. AA-amyloid deposits were then described and scored, and associated histological lesions were reported. Based on Congo Red staining and immunofluorescence nine shelter cats presented systemic AA-amyloidosis. The kidney (9/9), the spleen (8/8), the adrenal glands (8/8), the small intestine (7/7) and the liver (8/9) were the organs most involved by amyloid deposits, with multifocal to diffuse and from moderate to severe deposits, both in the organ parenchyma and/or in the vascular compartment. The lung (2/9) and the skin (1/8) were the least frequently involved organs and deposits were mainly focal to multifocal, mild, vascular and perivascular. Interestingly, among the organs with fibril deposition, the stomach (7/9), the gallbladder (6/6), the urinary bladder (3/9), and the heart (6/7) were reported for the first time in cats. All eye, brain and skeletal muscle samples had no amyloid deposits. An inflammatory condition was identified in 8/9 cats, with chronic enteritis and chronic nephritis being the most common. Except for secondary cell compression, other lesions were not associated to amyloid deposits. To conclude, this study gives new insights into the distribution of AA-amyloid deposits in cats. A concurrent chronic inflammation was present in almost all cases, possibly suggesting a relationship with AA-amyloidosis

Could the reproductive system explain the stability and long-term persistence in a natural hybrid zone of Petunia (Solanaceae)?

The long-term success of populations is dependent on individual reproductive success, and in general, increased population size and genetic diversity contribute to population maintenance, reducing the risk of local extinction. Interspecific hybridization has consequences that can vary according to the hybrids' fate, which can be strongly influenced by the reproductive capacity of hybrids and canonical individuals from the contact zone. We examined the reproductive biology and morphology of two closely related Petunia (Solanaceae) species and their interspecific hybrids from Serra do Sudeste, Southern Brazil, and we measured their reproductive success under controlled conditions based on seed production and germination from five pollination treatments. We found differences in self-compatibility degree among individuals, lineages, and pollination treatments based on high total seed production (> 204,000 seeds) and germination (630 seedlings evaluated). No correlation was observed between corolla colour and reproductive success or between floral morphological traits and compatibility. High self-compatibility and inter-lineage compatibility can explain the hybrid populations' maintenance and origin, favouring the two analysed species' introgression

A CAPACIDADE RESPIRATÓRIA DE CRIANÇAS RESIDENTES NAS ÁREAS RURAIS E URBANAS EM UMA CIDADE NA COSTA NORTE DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

O condicionamento cardiorrespiratório está relacionado diretamente à saúde e ao desempenho motor dos alunos, estando estreitamente ligado ao estilo de vida adotado. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo analisar o condicionamento cardiorrespiratório de alunos do ensino fundamental residentes nas zonas rural e urbana da cidade de Mampituba- RS. A amostra foi composta por 27 alunos do gênero masculino, divididos em dois grupos, um formado por residentes da zona rural e outro por alunos que residiam no perímetro urbano. A média de idade foi de 13,3 anos, e a aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi avaliada através do teste de capacidade de 9 minutos proposto pelo PROESP- BR, os dados obtidos pelos dois grupos foram comparados utilizando-se o teste “t” student para amostras paramétricas. Os resultados indicaram uma diferença estatisticamente significativa (p0,05) na aptidão cardiorrespiratória dos grupos estudados

AA-amyloidosis in cats (Felis catus) housed in shelters.

Systemic AA-amyloidosis is a protein-misfolding disease characterized by fibril deposition of serum amyloid-A protein (SAA) in several organs in humans and many animal species. Fibril deposits originate from abnormally high serum levels of SAA during chronic inflammation. A high prevalence of AA-amyloidosis has been reported in captive cheetahs and a horizontal transmission has been proposed. In domestic cats, AA-amyloidosis has been mainly described in predisposed breeds but only rarely reported in domestic short-hair cats. Aims of the study were to determine AA-amyloidosis prevalence in dead shelter cats. Liver, kidney, spleen and bile were collected at death in cats from 3 shelters. AA-amyloidosis was scored. Shedding of amyloid fibrils was investigated with western blot in bile and scored. Descriptive statistics were calculated. In the three shelters investigated, prevalence of AA-amyloidosis was 57.1% (16/28 cats), 73.0% (19/26) and 52.0% (13/25), respectively. In 72.9% of cats (35 in total) three organs were affected concurrently. Histopathology and immunofluorescence of post-mortem extracted deposits identified SAA as the major protein source. The duration of stay in the shelters was positively associated with a histological score of AA-amyloidosis (B = 0.026, CI95% = 0.007-0.046; p = 0.010). AA-amyloidosis was very frequent in shelter cats. Presence of SAA fragments in bile secretions raises the possibility of fecal-oral transmission of the disease. In conclusion, AA-amyloidosis was very frequent in shelter cats and those staying longer had more deposits. The cat may represent a natural model of AA-amyloidosis

Complete ¹H and 13C NMR structural assignments for a group of four goyazensolide-type furanoheliangolides

Four goyazensolide-type sesquiterpene lactones - lychnofolide, centratherin, goyazensolide and goyazensolide acetate - were thoroughly studied by NMR experimental techniques. ¹H NMR, 13C NMR {¹H}, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, J-res. and NOE experiments were performed to provide the needed structural information. Complete and unequivocal assignment, including the determination of all multiplicities, was obtained for each structure and the data collections are presented in tables

Smartphone-based evaluation of static balance and mobility in long-lasting COVID-19 patients

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a variety of persistent sequelae, collectively known as long COVID-19. Deficits in postural balance have been reported in patients several months after COVID-19 infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the static balance and balance of individuals with long COVID-19 using inertial sensors in smartphones.MethodsA total of 73 participants were included in this study, of which 41 had long COVID-19 and 32 served as controls. All participants in the long COVID-19 group reported physical complaints for at least 7 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were evaluated using a built-in inertial sensor of a smartphone attached to the low back, which recorded inertial signals during a static balance and mobility task (timed up and go test). The parameters of static balance and mobility obtained from both groups were compared.ResultsThe groups were matched for age and BMI. Of the 41 participants in the long COVID-19 group, 22 reported balance impairment and 33 had impaired balance in the Sharpened Romberg test. Static balance assessment revealed that the long COVID-19 group had greater postural instability with both eyes open and closed than the control group. In the TUG test, the long COVID-19 group showed greater acceleration during the sit-to-stand transition compared to the control group.ConclusionThe smartphone was feasible to identify losses in the balance motor control and mobility of patients with long-lasting symptomatic COVID-19 even after several months or years. Attention to the balance impairment experienced by these patients could help prevent falls and improve their quality of life, and the use of the smartphone can expand this monitoring for a broader population

Air-to-water heat pumps as a substitution of oil-boiler in a non-retrofitted multi-family building of the 70’s. In-situ monitoring, actual energy balance and performance

In Geneva, CO2 emissions are mainly related to the heat supply in the residential sector, in particular in multifamily buildings (MFB). In this context, air-source heat pumps (HP) could help to reduce emissions and replace fossil-based heating systems, especially in dense existing urban areas where air is the only available renewable energy source. This study concerns the analysis of an existing non-retrofitted MF building of 1972 (4´047 m2 heated area), whose original fossil heat supply was recently replaced by two industrial air-to-water HPs (2 x 140 = 280 kW). Based on a detailed monitoring campaign covering 15 months of operation, the main findings show that the HP system was able to cover the entire heat demand, except for a short breakdown. Thanks to optimizations in the system regulation and the choice to use only one HP in summer, the COPsys increased from 1.3 in the early stage, up to 3.4 during the last summer. Based on the latter performances, we estimated that the SPF could reach an annual value of 2.3 (instead of the measured value of 1.9)