Signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 localizes to the mitochondria and modulates mitophagy

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are latent transcription factors that have been shown to be involved in cell proliferation, development, apoptosis, and autophagy. STAT proteins undergo activation by phosphorylation at tyrosine 701 and serine 727 where they translocate to the nucleus to regulate gene expression. STAT1 has been shown to be involved in promoting apoptotic cell death in response to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion and has recently been shown by our laboratory to be involved in negatively regulating autophagy. These processes are thought to promote cell death and restrict cell survival leading to the generation of an infarct. Here we present data that shows STAT1 localizes to the mitochondria and co-immunoprecipitates with LC3. Furthermore, electron microscopy studies also reveal mitochondria from ex vivo I/R treated hearts of STAT1KO mice contained within a double membrane autophagosome indicating that STAT1 may be involved in negatively regulating mitophagy. This is the first description of STAT1 being localized to the mitochondria and also having a role in mitophagy

Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for acute cervical compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs

Although successful outcomes have been reported after medical and surgical treatment for dogs with cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE), it is unknown which treatment option is preferred. Thirty-four dogs treated medically (n=18) or surgically (n=16) for cervical HNPE were retrospectively identified. Signalment, clinical presentation and imaging findings were compared between medically and surgically treated dogs. Medical management consisted of restricted exercise in combination with physiotherapy. Surgical treatment consisted of a ventral slot procedure. Short-term follow-up information was retrieved from re-examination visits. Long-term outcome was obtained via telephone interviews. More dogs in the surgical group demonstrated cervical hyperaesthesia on initial clinical presentation (P=0.045), otherwise there was no significant difference in signalment, clinical presentation or imaging findings between both groups. Two dogs in the medically managed group underwent surgical decompression due to an unsatisfactory response to medical management. All cases for which long-term information was available (n=30) were neurologically normal at the time of data collection. There were no significant differences for any of the short-term or long-term outcome variables between both treatment groups. This study demonstrated successful outcomes after medical or surgical treatment and suggests that both treatment modalities can be considered for dogs with cervical HNPE

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging guidelines for differentiation between thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions and intervertebral disk protrusions in dogs

Four MRI variables have recently been suggested to be independently associated with a diagnosis of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion. Midline intervertebral disk herniation, and partial intervertebral disk degeneration were associated with intervertebral disk protrusion, while presence of a single intervertebral disk herniation and disk material dispersed beyond the boundaries of the intervertebral disk space were associated with intervertebral disk extrusion. The aim of this retrospective, cross‐sectional study was to determine whether using these MRI variables improves differentiation between thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions and protrusions. Eighty large breed dogs with surgically confirmed thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions or protrusions were included. Randomized MRI studies were presented on two occasions to six blinded observers, which were divided into three experience categories. During the first assessment, observers made a presumptive diagnosis of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion without guidelines. During the second assessment they were asked to make a presumptive diagnosis with the aid of guidelines. Agreement was evaluated by Kappa‐statistics. Diagnostic accuracy significantly improved from 70.8 to 79.6% and interobserver agreement for making a diagnosis of intervertebral disk extrusion or intervertebral disk protrusion improved from fair (κ = 0.27) to moderate (κ = 0.41) after using the proposed guidelines. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly influenced by degree of observer experience. Intraobserver agreement for the assessed variables ranged from fair to excellent and interobserver agreement ranged from fair to moderate. The results of this study suggest that the proposed imaging guidelines can aid in differentiating thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions from protrusions

Neuropsicologia e atenção

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Desenvolvimento e caracterização de compósitos poliméricos reforçados com resíduo de erva-mate

Estudos relacionados ao desenvolvimento tecnológico na área de compósitos poliméricos reforçados com fibras naturais estão em crescimento nos últimos anos devido a suas diferentes propriedades. Materiais compósitos poliméricos que utilizam fibras residuais da indústria aliam o desenvolvimento de materiais que possuam propriedades mecânicas, físicas e morfológicas adequadas, ao aproveitamento de materiais de origem renovável. Durante o processo de beneficiamento da erva-mate, entre os processos e classificação dos variados tipos de erva-mate, cerca de 2% da produção em massa da erva-mate tornam-se resíduos, na forma de palitos de erva- mate. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver um compósito polimérico reforçado com o resíduo do processamento da erva-mate de uma indústria localizada no Vale do Rio Pardo - RS, visando o reaproveitamento e agregando valor ao material. Os compósitos poliméricos foram obtidos através de mistura do resíduo de palito de erva-mate e resina poliéster isoftálica com neopentilglicol (NPG), utilizando o método de moldagem manual. As amostras foram caracterizadas com relação à resistência mecânica (ensaios de tração e flexão), morfologia por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), e análises físicas de absorção de água, porosidade aparente, e massa específica aparente. Os compósitos obtidos com 30% de inserção de fibra apresentaram a maior absorção de água no final do ensaio. Em relação à porosidade aparente, notou-se um aumento em todos os compósitos obtidos com incorporação da fibra, quando comparados à matriz poliéster pura. O valor máximo atingido de massa específica aparente verificou-se no compósito obtido com a adição de 30% de fibra, com um aumento de 20,51% em relação à matriz pura. Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios mecânicos acentuam tal tendência, assim, a resistência máxima à tração obtida encontra-se no compósito composto majoritariamente por resina poliéster isoftálica, alcançando 40,55 ±1,04 MPa. Em relação ao módulo de elasticidade, observa-se um aumento em comparação à matriz pura, evidenciando um material mais rígido. A resistência à flexão dos compósitos reforçados com fibras apresenta desempenho inferior quando comparado à matriz pura. Através das análises morfológicas, determinou-se falhas e características presentes nos materiais, como presença de vazios, bolhas de ar e o fenômeno de fibras arrancadas, indicando fraca interação matriz/reforço

Clinical reasoning in canine spinal disease: what combination of clinical information is useful?

Spinal disease in dogs is commonly encountered in veterinary practice. Numerous diseases may cause similar clinical signs and presenting histories. The study objective was to use statistical models to identify combinations of discrete parameters from the patient signalment, history and neurological examination that could suggest the most likely diagnoses with statistical significance. A retrospective study of 500 dogs referred to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals before June 2012 for the investigation of spinal disease was performed. Details regarding signalment, history, physical and neurological examinations, neuroanatomical localisation and imaging data were obtained. Univariate analyses of variables (breed, age, weight, onset, deterioration, pain, asymmetry, neuroanatomical localisation) were performed, and variables were retained in a multivariate logistic regression model if P<0.05. Leading diagnoses were intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE, n=149), intervertebral disc protrusion (n=149), ischaemic myelopathy (IM, n=48) and neoplasms (n=44). Multivariate logistic regression characterised IM and acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusions as the only peracute onset, non-progressive, non-painful and asymmetrical T3-L3 myelopathies. IVDE was most commonly characterised as acute onset, often deteriorating, painful and largely symmetrical T3-L3 myelopathy. This study suggests that most spinal diseases cause distinctive combinations of presenting clinical parameters (signalment, onset, deterioration, pain, asymmetry, neuroanatomical localisation). Taking particular account of these parameters may aid decision making in a clinical setting

Medidas de prevenção ao covid-19 e sua relação com níveis de atividade física e hábito de tabagismo : estudo com uma população de jovens, militares, do Sul do Brasil

Os militares parecem estar em maior risco de doenças infecciosas, devido a situações de aquartelamento e exposição ambiental. Paralelamente, as medidas preventivas preconizadas durante a pandemia por COVID-19 trouxeram preocupação com potenciais efeitos em níveis de atividade física e hábito de fumar. Este foi um estudo (a) prospectivo e (b) transversal, para avaliar (a) a taxa de infectados com COVID-19 entre a população de 1.904 militares (comparação com a população em geral) e (b) a relação entre adesão às medidas de prevenção ao COVID-19, tabagismo e inatividade física. Analisamos anticorpos para COVID-19, dados sobre a adesão às medidas preventivas para COVID-19, níveis de atividade física, tabagismo atual e outros fatores sociodemográficos. No sul do Brasil, (a) militares têm maior taxa de infecção por COVID-19 do que a população em geral, e (b) uma maior adesão às medidas preventivas contra COVID-19 não teve associação com inatividade física, mas sim com menor tabagismo.Military personnel had greater risk of infectious diseases than the general population, due to environmental exposure. At the same time, preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns about potential effects on levels of physical activity and smoking. This was a (a) prospective and (b) cross-sectional study, to assess (a) the rate of infected with COVID-19 among the population of 1,904 military personnel (comparison with the general population) and (b) the relationship between adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures, smoking and physical inactivity. We analyzed antibodies to COVID-19, data on adherence to preventive measures for COVID-19, physical activity levels, current smoking, and other sociodemographic factors. In southern Brazil, (a) military personnel are at greater risk of COVID-19 infection than the general population, and (b) adherence to preventive measures for COVID-19 infection was not associated with physical inactivity but was associated with less smoking