Aerobic power, huddling and the efficiency of torpor in the South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides.

During periods of cold, small endotherms depend on a continuous supply of food and energy to maintain euthermic body temperature (T(b)), which can be challenging if food is limited. In these conditions, energy-saving strategies are critical to reduce the energetic requirements for survival. Mammals from temperate regions show a wide arrange of such strategies, including torpor and huddling. Here we provide a quantitative description of thermoregulatory capacities and energy-saving strategies in Dromiciops gliroides, a Microbiotherid marsupial inhabiting temperate rain forests. Unlike many mammals from temperate regions, preliminary studies have suggested that this species has low capacity for control and regulation of body temperature, but there is still an incomplete picture of its bioenergetics. In order to more fully understand the physiological capacities of this "living fossil", we measured its scope of aerobic power and the interaction between huddling and torpor. Specifically, we evaluated: (1) the relation between basal (BMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and (2) the role of huddling on the characteristics of torpor at different temperatures. We found that BMR and MMR were above the expected values for marsupials and the factorial aerobic scope (from [Formula: see text]CO(2)) was 6.0±0.45 (using [Formula: see text]CO(2)) and 6.2±0.23 (using [Formula: see text]O(2)), an unusually low value for mammals. Also, repeatability of physiological variables was non-significant, as in previous studies, suggesting poor time-consistency of energy metabolism. Comparisons of energy expenditure and body temperature (using attached data-loggers) between grouped and isolated individuals showed that at 20°C both average resting metabolic rate and body temperature were higher in groups, essentially because animals remained non-torpid. At 10°C, however, all individuals became torpid and no differences were observed between grouped and isolated individuals. In summary, our study suggests that the main response of Dromiciops gliroides to low ambient temperature is reduced body temperature and torpor, irrespective of huddling. Low aerobic power and low time-consistency of most thermoregulatory traits of Dromiciops gliroides support the idea of poor thermoregulatory abilities in this species

Evolución clínica de la enteritis crónica linfoplasmocitaria canina : antes, durante y después del tratamiento

El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en la valoración de 16 perros con ECLP, antes durante y después del tratamiento. Para ello, se evaluaron periódicamente el peso, los signos clíncos y el índice de actividad de cada uno de los perros. El incremento de peso medio respecto al peso inicial observado durante el tratamiento fue de 4, 74 el día 30 tras el inicio del tratamiento del 9, 61 el día 60, del 11.69 el día 90 y del 11, 52 el día 120. El signos clínico más frecuente en los perros con ECLP de nuestro estudio fue la existencia de vómitos (87, 5%). Durante y tras el tratamiento, se observó una marcada reducción de todos los signos clínicos avaluados, antes de comenzar el protocolo terapéutico fue de 7, 31 (enfermedad clínicamente moderada). A lo largo de dicho protocolo, el índice de actividad medio fue disminuyendo progresivamente hasta alcanzar un valor medio fue disminuyendo progresivamente hasta alcanzar un valor medio de 0, 19 a los 120 días de iniciado el mismo (enfermedad clínicamente insignificante). Por tanto, la aplicación del tratamiento adecuado a los perros con ECLP, se acompaña de una importante mejoría clínica, con una disminución de los signos clínicos y un incremento de peso.

Valoración de parámetros endoscópicos en perros con enteritis crónica linfoplásmocitaria

El objetivo del presente trabajo, es la valoración de la frecuencia de presentación y gravedad de las lesiones endoscópicos de estómago y de duodeno de 45 perros con enteritis crónica linfoplasmocitaria (ECLP). En función de las mismas, se propone una clasificación de los animales en cuanto al grado de lesión endocópica hallado. Nuestros resultados muestran que el hallazgo durante una gastroduodenoscopia de una mucosa congestiva o engrosada en estómago y de una mucosa congestiva, engrosada, irregular o friable en duodeno, puede sugerir la existencia de una de una ECLP. La inespecificidad de estas lesiones, junto con la subjetividad en la valoración de las mismas, resalta la importancia de la toma de biopsias, en todos los perros con sospecha de ECLP, para su diagnóstico definitivo.

Noninvasive assessment of an engineered bioactive graft in myocardial infarction: impact on cardiac function and scar healing

Cardiac tissue engineering, which combines cells and biomaterials, is promising for limiting the sequelae of myocardial infarction (MI). We assessed myocardial function and scar evolution after implanting an engineered bioactive impedance graft (EBIG) in a swine MI model. The EBIG comprises a scaffold of decellularized human pericardium, green fluorescent protein-labeled porcine adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells (pATPCs), and a customized-design electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) monitoring system. Cardiac function was evaluated noninvasively by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scar healing was evaluated by using the EIS system within the implanted graft. Additionally, infarct size, fibrosis, and inflammation were explored by histopathology. Upon sacrifice 1 month after the intervention, MRI detected a significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (7.5%64.9% vs. 1.4%63.7%; p = .038) and stroke volume (11.565.9 ml vs. 364.5 ml; p = .019) in EBIG-treated animals. Noninvasive EIS data analysis showed differences in both impedance magnitude ratio (20.02 6 0.04 per day vs. 20.48 6 0.07 per day; p = .002) and phase angle slope (20.18°60.24° per day vs.23.52°60.84° per day; p = .004) in EBIG compared with control animals. Moreover, in EBIG-treated animals, the infarct size was 48% smaller (3.4%60.6% vs. 6.5%61%; p = .015), less inflammation was found by means of CD25+ lymphocytes (0.65 6 0.12 vs. 1.26 6 0.2; p = .006), and a lower collagen I/III ratio was detected (0.4960.06 vs. 1.6660.5; p = .019). An EBIG composed of acellular pericardium refilled with pATPCs significantly reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function in a preclinical model of MI. Noninvasive EIS monitoring was useful for tracking differential scar healing in EBIG-treated animals, which was confirmed by less inflammation and altered collagen deposit.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Pharmacological studies on the role of 5-HT_1A receptors in male sexual behavior of wildtype and serotonin transporter knockout rats

Brain serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission plays an important role in male sexual behavior and it is well established that activating 5-HT1A receptors in rats facilitate ejaculatory behavior. However, the relative contribution of 5-HT1A somatodendritic autoreceptors and heteroreceptors in this pro-sexual behavior is unclear. Moreover, it is unclear whether the contribution of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors and postsynaptic 5-HT1A heteroreceptors alter when extracellular 5-HT levels are chronically increased. Serotonin transporter knockout (SERT-/-) rats exhibit enhanced extracellular 5-HT levels and desensitized 5-HT1A receptors. These rats model neurochemical changes underlying chronic SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. We want to determine the role of presynaptic versus postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in the pro-sexual effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonists in SERT+/+ and in SERT-/- rats. Therefore, acute effects of the biased 5-HT1A receptor agonists F-13714, a preferential 5-HT1A autoreceptor agonist, or F-15599, a preferential 5-HT1A heteroreceptor agonist, and S15535 a mixed 5-HT1A autoreceptor agonist/heteroreceptor antagonist, on male sexual behavior were assessed. A clear and stable genotype effect was found after training where SERT+/+ performed sexual behavior at a higher level than SERT-/- rats. Both F-15599 and F-13714 induced pro-sexual activity in SERT+/+ and SERT-/- animals. Compared to SERT+/+, the F13714-dose-response curve in SERT-/- rats was shifted to the right. SERT+/+ and SERT-/- rats responded similar to F15599. Within both SERT+/+ and SERT-/- rats the potency of F-13714 was much stronger compared to F-15599. S15535 had no effect on sexual behavior in either genotype. In SERT+/+ and SERT-/- rats that were selected on comparable low sexual activity (SERT+/+ 3 or less ejaculations and SERT-/- 5 or less ejaculations in 10 weeks) S15535 also did not influence sexual behavior. The two biased compounds with differential effects on 5-HT1A auto- and hetero-receptors, exerted pro-sexual activity in both SERT+/+ and SERT-/- rats. Applying these specific pharmacological tools has not solved whether pre- or post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors are involved in pro-sexual activity. Moreover, the inactivity of S15535 in male sexual behavior in either genotype was unexpected. The question is whether the in vivo pharmacological profile of the different 5-HT1A receptor ligands used, is sufficient to differentiate pre- and/or post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptor contributions in male rat sexual behavior

Evaluation of an integrated system for classification, assessment and comparison of services for long-term care in Europe: the eDESDE-LTC study

The harmonization of European health systems brings with it a need for tools to allow the standardized collection of information about medical care. A common coding system and standards for the description of services are needed to allow local data to be incorporated into evidence-informed policy, and to permit equity and mobility to be assessed. The aim of this project has been to design such a classification and a related tool for the coding of services for Long Term Care (DESDE-LTC), based on the European Service Mapping Schedule (ESMS). Methods. The development of DESDE-LTC followed an iterative process using nominal groups in 6 European countries. 54 researchers and stakeholders in health and social services contributed to this process. In order to classify services, we use the minimal organization unit or "Basic Stable Input of Care" (BSIC), coded by its principal function or "Main Type of Care" (MTC). The evaluation of the tool included an analysis of feasibility, consistency, ontology, inter-rater reliability, Boolean Factor Analysis, and a preliminary impact analysis (screening, scoping and appraisal). Results: DESDE-LTC includes an alpha-numerical coding system, a glossary and an assessment instrument for mapping and counting LTC. It shows high feasibility, consistency, inter-rater reliability and face, content and construct validity. DESDE-LTC is ontologically consistent. It is regarded by experts as useful and relevant for evidence-informed decision making. Conclusion: DESDE-LTC contributes to establishing a common terminology, taxonomy and coding of LTC services in a European context, and a standard procedure for data collection and international comparison

Nitroheterocyclic compounds are more efficacious than CYP51 inhibitors against Trypanosoma cruzi: implications for Chagas disease drug discovery and development

Advocacy for better drugs and access to treatment has boosted the interest in drug discovery and development for Chagas disease, a chronic infection caused by the genetically heterogeneous parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. in this work new in vitro assays were used to gain a better understanding of the antitrypanosomal properties of the most advanced antichagasic lead and clinical compounds, the nitroheterocyclics benznidazole, nifurtimox and fexinidazole sulfone, the oxaborole AN4169, and four ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors -posaconazole, ravuconazole, EPL-BS967 and EPL-BS1246. Two types of assays were developed: one for evaluation of potency and efficacy in dose-response against a panel of T. cruzi stocks representing all current discrete typing units (DTUs), and a time-kill assay. Although less potent, the nitroheterocyclics and the oxaborole showed broad efficacy against all T. cruzi tested and were rapidly trypanocidal, whilst ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors showed variable activity that was both compoundand strain-specific, and were unable to eradicate intracellular infection even after 7 days of continuous compound exposure at most efficacious concentrations. These findings contest previous reports of variable responses to nitroderivatives among different T. cruzi strains and further challenge the introduction of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors as new single chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of Chagas disease.DNDiInstitut Pasteur Korea (IPK)Reconstruction Credit Institution-Federal Ministry of Education and Research (KfW-BMBF)/GermanyMedecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders)/InternationalKorean government (MSIP), Gyeonggi-doKISTIInst Pasteur Korea, Ctr Neglected Dis Drug Discovery CND3, Songnam, South KoreaCtr Nacl Pesquisa Energia & Mat, Lab Nacl Biociencias LNBio, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Depto Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilDrugs Neglected Dis Initiat DNDi, Geneva, SwitzerlandUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Depto Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilKorean government (MSIP), Gyeonggi-do: 2007-00559Web of Scienc

A Educação Ambiental nos livros didáticos de Química: Os livros indicados pelo PNLD/2012

O presente trabalho analisou as coleções de química selecionadas pelo Programa Nacional do Livro Didático (PNLD 2012) e que serão distribuídas às escolas públicas de todo o país, em relação à abordagem do tema transversal EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL. A análise dos livros foi realizada nos trêsvolumes de cada coleção, incluindo o manual do professor, considerando aspectos relevantes para o desenvolvimento de atividades que interessam à proposta de Educação Ambiental. Constatou-se que em todas as coleções encontrou-se algum assunto relacionado com a questão ambiental, mas, a EducaçãoAmbiental propriamente dita foi trabalhada somente em alguns exemplares

Detección de anticuerpos anti-citoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA) en suero de perros con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

El diagnóstico de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) canina es complejo, siendo necesario llevar a cabo un completo protocolo diagnóstico de exclusión. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-citoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA) en suero de perros con EII para conocer la utilidad diagnóstica de los mismos en esta enfermedad del perro.