Age-Associated Changes in Hearts of Male Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 Rats

Aging is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, dilatation, and fibrosis of the heart. The Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 (F344/BNF1) rat is recommended for age-related studies by the National Institutes on Aging because this hybrid rat lives longer and has a lower rate of pathological conditions than inbred rats. However, little is known about age-associated changes in cardiac and aortic function and structure in this model. This study evaluated age-related cardiac changes in male F344/BNF1 rats using ECHO, gross, and microscopic examinations. Rats aged 6-, 30-, and 36-mo were anesthetized and two-dimensional ECHO measurements, two-dimensional guided M-mode, Doppler M-mode, and other recordings from parasternal long- and short-axis views were obtained using a Phillips 5500 ECHO system with a 12 megahertz transducer. Hearts and aortas from sacrificed rats were evaluated grossly and microscopically. The ECHO studies revealed persistent cardiac arrhythmias (chiefly PVCs) in 72% (13/18) of 36-mo rats, 10% (1/10) of 30-mo rats, and none in 6-mo rats (0/16). Gross and microscopic studies showed left ventricular (LV) dilatation, borderline to mild hypertrophy, and areas of fibrosis that were common in 36-mo rats, less evident in 30-mo rats, and absent in 6-mo rats. Aging was associated with mild to moderate decreases of LV diastolic and systolic function. Thus, male F344/BN F1 rats demonstrated progressive age-related (a) decline in cardiac function (diastolic and systolic indices), (b) LV structural changes (chamber dimensions, volumes, and wall thicknesses), and (c) persistent arrhythmias. These changes are consistent with those in humans. The noninvasive ECHO technique offers a means to monitor serial age-related cardiac failure and therapeutic responses in the same rats over designated time intervals

Acetaminophen Protects Against Iron-Induced Cardiac Damage in Gerbils

There are few effective agents that safely remove excess iron from iron-overloaded individuals. Our goal was to evaluate the iron-removing effectiveness of acetaminophen given ip or orally in the gerbil iron-overload model. Male gerbils were divided into 5 groups: saline controls, iron-overloaded controls, iron-overloaded treated with ip acetaminophen, iron-overloaded treated with oral acetaminophen, and iron-overloaded treated with ipdeferoxamine. Iron dextran was injected iptwice/wk for 8 wk. Acetaminophen and deferoxamine treatments were given on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the same 8 wk and continued for 4 wk after completion of iron-overloading. Echocardiograms were performed after completion of the iron-overloading and drug treatments. Liver and cardiac iron contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Iron-overloaded controls had 232-fold and 16-fold increases in liver and cardiac iron content, respectively, compared to saline controls. In iron-overloaded controls, echocardiography showed cardiac hypertrophy, right and left ventricular distension, significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (−22%), and fractional shortening (−31%) during systole. Treatments with acetaminophen (ip or oral) or deferoxamine (ip) were equally effective in reducing cardiac iron content and in preventing cardiac structural and functional changes. Both agents also significantly reduced excess hepatic iron content, although acetaminophen was less effective than deferoxamine. The results suggest that acetaminophen may be useful for treatment of iron-induced pathology

Understanding women's desires for contraceptive counseling at the time of first-trimester surgical abortion

The objective was to investigate whether or not women presenting for a first-trimester surgical abortion want to discuss contraception on the day of their procedure.Between October 2012 and January 2013, an anonymous self-administered survey was distributed to women receiving first-trimester surgical abortions at four northern California family planning clinics. The survey obtained demographic information about each woman and inquired about her desire for contraceptive counseling during her appointment. Results were analyzed using both univariate and multivariable regression analyses to assess trends in responses related to desire for contraceptive counseling based on demographic and other variables.Of the 199 respondents, 64% reported that they did not want to talk to a counselor or doctor about contraception on the day of their abortion. About half of the women (52%) who did not want to discuss contraception indicated they already knew what they wanted for pregnancy prevention. Of the 25% who reported that they did want to discuss contraception, the most important topic desired from the counseling was identification of methods that were easier to use than what they used previously.The majority of women seeking first-trimester surgical abortion may not desire additional information about contraception on the day of the procedure.This study demonstrates that a significant proportion of women may not want contraceptive counseling on the day of a planned surgical abortion

Pervasive and strong effects of plants on soil chemistry: a meta-analysis of individual plant ‘Zinke’ effects

Plant species leave a chemical signature in the soils below them, generating fine-scale spatial variation that drives ecological processes. Since the publication of a seminal paper on plant-mediated soil heterogeneity by Paul Zinke in 1962, a robust literature has developed examining effects of individual plants on their local environments (individual plant effects). Here, we synthesize this work using meta-analysis to show that plant effects are strong and pervasive across ecosystems on six continents. Overall, soil properties beneath individual plants differ from those of neighbours by an average of 41%. Although the magnitudes of individual plant effects exhibit weak relationships with climate and latitude, they are significantly stronger in deserts and tundra than forests, and weaker in intensively managed ecosystems. The ubiquitous effects of plant individuals and species on local soil properties imply that individual plant effects have a role in plant–soil feedbacks, linking individual plants with biogeochemical processes at the ecosystem scale

Diagnóstico de producción en ganado lechero en pastoreo de un grupo ganadero de validación y transferencia de tecnología

The regionalization of framing issues for producers Livestock Group of Validation and Technology Transfer (GGAVATT) from San Jose Miahuatlán Veracruz, Mexico, under the current production of native grass prairie with mainly during the months of higher temperature have a poor performance and thus milk production declines which promotes a great use of concentrated feeds which causes an increase in production cost and less use to them. For this purpose we made a diagnosis of current conditions GGAVATT production, yielding information that helps us source and compared to determine precisely what the effect of applying the proposed alternative. We propose an alternative implementation of pastures with improved pastures needed to produce a greater amount of forage per unit area especially in the colder months.La regionalización de la problemática encuadrando a los productores del Grupo Ganadero de Validación y Transferencia de Tecnología (GGAVATT) de San José Miahuatlán Veracruz, México, bajo la actual situación de producción de praderas básicamente con gramas nativas que durante los meses de menor frío tienen un pobre desempeño y por ende la producción de leche se deteriora lo cual promueve una gran utilización de alimentos concentrados lo que provoca un incremento en el costo de producción y una menor utilidad para estos. Para dicho propósito se realizó un diagnóstico de las condiciones actuales de producción del GGAVATT, arrojando información que nos sirve de partida y de comparación para determinar con precisión cuál es el efecto de aplicar la alternativa propuesta. Se plantea como alternativa la implantación de praderas con pastos mejorados que permitan producir una mayor cantidad de forrajes por unidad de superficie sobre todo en los meses de menor temperatura

Consecuencias del estrés calórico sobre la reproducción del ganado vacuno

Heat stress represents one of the major environmental factors that adversely affect the reproductive performance of cattle. In this paper the behavioral adjustments, physical mechanisms and physiological responses to heat loss are described; bos indicus adaptive advantages with respect to bos Taurus, pathophysiology of heat stress and heat stress effects in animal reproduction, both the male and the female.El estrés calórico representa unos de los principales factores del medio ambiente que repercuten negativamente en el desempeño reproductivo del ganado vacuno. En este trabajo se describen los ajustes conductuales, mecanismos físicos y respuestas fisiológicas para la pérdida calórica; ventajas adaptativas del bos indicus con respecto al bos Taurus, fisiopatología del estrés calórico y repercusiones del estrés calórico en la reproducción animal, tanto en el macho como en la hembra

Reduction of ureteral stent encrustation by modulating the urine pH and inhibiting the crystal film with a new oral composition: a multicenter, placebo controlled, double blind, randomized clinical trial

Background: Encrustation of ureteral double J stents is a common complication that may affect its removal. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new oral composition to prevent double J stent encrustation in indwelling times up to 8 weeks. Methods: A double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 105 patients with indwelling double J stents enrolled across 9 public hospitals in Spain. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) into intervention (53 patients) or placebo (52 patients) groups for 3 to 8 weeks and both groups self-monitored daily their morning urine pH levels. The primary outcome of analysis was the degree of stent ends encrustation, defined by a 4-point score (0 - none; 3 - global encrustation) using macroscopic and electron microscopy analysis of crystals, after 3 to 8-w indwelling period. Score was exponentially transformed according to calcium levels. Secondary endpoints included urine pH decrease, stent removal, and incidence of adverse events. Results: The intervention group benefits from a lower global encrustation rate of stent ends than placebo group (1% vs 8.2%; p < 0.018). Mean encrustation score was 85.12 (274.5) in the placebo group and 18.91 (102.27) in the intervention group (p < 0.025). Considering the secondary end points, treated patients reported greater urine pH decreases (p = 0.002). No differences in the incidence of adverse events were identified between the groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of this new oral composition is beneficial in the context of ureteral double J indwelling by decreasing mean, as well as global encrustation

Luteolytic failure as the cause of low efficiency in synchronization with prostaglandins in cows under tropical grazing

Our objective was to determine the cause of the low response in the exclusive use of prostaglandin in synchronization programs in cows under tropical grazing compared to the use of progesterone (CIDR). Thirty-five cows with the presence of CL were randomly distributed: first group (GPG; n=23), synchronized with two doses of PGF2α (25 mg, Dinoprost®), with an interval of 12 days. The second group (GCIDR; n=12) synchronized with an intravaginal device (1.9 g progesterone), 2 mg estradiol benzoate and 50 mg progesterone), at day 7 a dose of PGF2α (pm) was administered and at day 8 the CIDR (am) was withdrawn. CL regression, luteolitic failure, progesterone concentration and CL size were determined. The data were subjected to normality test, then to Mann-Whitney U test or independent t student test and chi square. Finding that only 82.6% (19/23) of GPG cows at the second dose of prostaglandins have functional CL (&lt;1 ng/ml of progesterone). Obtaining only in 43.5% of the cows a regression of the CL in the GPG, vs. 91.7% in GCIDR (P=0.0001). In addition, GPG cows showed luteolytic failure of 39.1% and asynchrony of 17.4%. It is concluded, a low efficiency of prostaglandins on the synchrony and regression of CL (luteolitic failure) in cows fed under tropical grazing, attributed to the low efficiency in synchronization programs.Objective: To determine the reason for the low response to the exclusive use of prostaglandin in synchronization programs in cows under tropical grazing compared with the use of progesterone (CIDR). Design/Methodology: Thirty-five cows with CL were randomly distributed in two groups. The first group (GPG; n=23) was synchronized using two doses of PGF2α (25 mg of Dinoprost®) with a 12-day interval. The second group (GCIDR; n=12) was synchronized with an intravaginal device (1.9 g of progesterone, 2 mg of estradiol benzoate, and 50 mg of progesterone); a PGF2α (pm) dose was applied on day 7, before removing the CIDR (am) on day 8. CL regression, luteolytic failure, progesterone concentration, and CL size were determined. Data was subjected to a normality test, followed by the Mann-Whitney U test or independent Student's t-test and chi-square test. Results: Only 82.6 % (19 out of 23) of the GPG cows that received the second dose of prostaglandins have a functional CL (&lt;1 ng mL-1 of progesterone). The CL recorded a regression only in 43.5% of the cows in GPG vs. 91.7% in GCIDR (P=0.0001). In addition, GPG cows showed a luteolytic failure of 39.1% and an asynchrony of 17.4%. Conclusions: The low effectiveness of prostaglandin on the synchrony and regression of the CL (luteolytic failure) in cows fed under tropical grazing can be attributed to the low efficiency of the synchronization programs

Solar Energy: Incentives to Promote PV in EU27

The growth in the use of renewable energies in the EU has been remarkable. Among these energies is PV. The average annual growth rate for the EU-27 countries in installed PV capacity in the period 2005-2012 was 41.2%. While the installed capacity of PV has reached almost 82 % of National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) targets for the EU-27 countries for 2020, it is still far from being used at its full potential. Over recent years, several measures have been adopted in the EU to enhance and promote PV. This paper undertakes a complete review of the state of PV power in Europe and the measures taken to date to promote it in EU-27. 25 countries have adopted measures to promote PV. The most widespread measure to promote PV use is Feed- in Tariffs. Tariffs are normally adjusted, in a decreasing manner, annually. Nevertheless, currently, seven countries have decided to accelerate this decrease rate in view of cost reduction of the installations and of higher efficiencies. The second instrument used to promote PV in the EU-27 countries is the concession of subsidies. Nevertheless, subsidies have the disadvantage of being closely linked to budgetary resources and therefore to budgetary constraints. In most EU countries, subsidies for renewable energy for PV are being lowered. Twelve EU-27 countries adopted tax measures. Low-interest loans and green certificate systems were only sparingly used