A simple and reliable refractometric method to determine the total solids concentration of the cervico-vaginal bovine mucus samples

Cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) is a viscoelastic substance continuously produced by secretory cells of the endocervix and the vagina of cows. Its physicochemical composition varies depending on the hormonal status of the estrous cycle. In veterinary medicine refractometry is a widely diffused technique to determine total solids (TS) content of biological samples, but there are not published data of CVM total solids from refractometric measures. Refractometric TS determination contributes to the qualitative constituents analysis of CVM, additionally it is an easier and more inexpensive technique than gravimetric TS determination. The main goal of the present paper was to validate a refractometric method to estimate TS concentration of the soluble fraction of CVM samples. Samples were collected from seventy-three Holando Argentino cows of Santa Fe province farms in Argentina. Cows were classified in three experimental groups: healthy, subclinical (SE) and clinical endometritis (CE) group. To achieve a solubilisation protocol for CVM samples, four Triton™ X-100 concentrations were tested. Refractive index (RI) and gravimetric total solid (gTS) concentration of solubilised samples were determined for the three experimental groups. A mathematical equation was determined with the experimental data from the healthy group, in order to obtain calculated total solid concentration (cTS) from refractivity (R) values. To validate the RI method for CVM samples, cTS concentrations were compared with gTS concentrations from endometritis group samples. Triton™ X-100 0.01% (V/V) improved CVM samples handling and did not change physicochemical parameters (gTS, Na+ and K+ concentration, and RI values). The linear regression equation obtained was: cTS (g/dL) = (R – 0.67)/16.2, r2 = 0.91. Correlation between gTS and cTS concentration was: r = 0.97 for SE group and r = 0.97 for CE group. The homogenization protocol allowed the measurement of physicochemical parameters without altering their values. A high correlation coefficient between cTS and gTS postulates refractometry as an accurate method to determine TS concentration for solubilised CVM samples.Fil: Savia, Caren Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Osorio, Juliana Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro Binacional de Investigación en Criobiología Clínica y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Joaquin Valentin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro Binacional de Investigación en Criobiología Clínica y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Guibert, Edgardo Elvio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro Binacional de Investigación en Criobiología Clínica y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Rinaudo, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Matrix Gla protein deficiency impairs nasal septum growth, causing midface hypoplasia

Genetic and environmental factors may lead to abnormal growth of the orofacial skeleton, affecting the overall structure of the face. In this study, we investigated the craniofacial abnormalities in a mouse model for Keutel syndrome, a rare genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene. Keutel syndrome patients show diffuse ectopic calcification of cartilaginous tissues and impaired midface development. Our comparative cephalometric analyses of micro-computed tomography images revealed a severe midface hypoplasia in Mgp-/- mice. In vivo reporter studies demonstrated that the Mgp promoter is highly active at the cranial sutures, cranial base synchondroses, and nasal septum. Interestingly, the cranial sutures of the mutant mice showed normal anatomical features. Although we observed a mild increase in mineralization of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis, it did not reduce the relative length of the cranial base in comparison with total skull length. Contrary to this, we found the nasal septum to be abnormally mineralized and shortened in Mgp-/- mice. Transgenic restoration of Mgp expression in chondrocytes fully corrected the craniofacial anomalies caused by MGP deficiency, suggesting a local role for MGP in the developing nasal septum. Although there was no up-regulation of markers for hypertrophic chondrocytes, a TUNEL assay showed a marked increase in apoptotic chondrocytes in the calcified nasal septum. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed unusual mineral deposits in the septal extracellular matrix of the mutant mice. Of note, the systemic reduction of the inorganic phosphate level was sufficient to prevent abnormal mineralization of the nasal septum in Mgp-/-;Hyp compound mutants. Our work provides evidence that modulation of local and systemic factors regulating extracellular matrix mineralization can be possible therapeutic strategies to prevent ectopic cartilage calcification and some forms of congenital craniofacial anomalies in humans

The SI! Program for Cardiovascular Health Promotion in Early Childhood A Cluster-Randomized Trial

AbstractBackgroundThe preschool years offer a unique window of opportunity to instill healthy life-style behaviors and promote cardiovascular health.ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the effect of a 3-year multidimensional school-based intervention to improve life-style–related behaviors.MethodsWe performed a cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial involving 24 public schools in Madrid, Spain, that were assigned to either the SI! Program intervention or the usual curriculum and followed for 3 years. The SI! Program aimed to instill and develop healthy behaviors in relation to diet, physical activity, and understanding how the human body and heart work. The primary outcome was change in the overall knowledge, attitudes, and habits (KAH) score (range 0 to 80). The intervention’s effect on adiposity markers was also evaluated.ResultsA total of 2,062 children from 3 to 5 years of age were randomized. After 3 years of follow-up, the overall KAH score was 4.9% higher in children in the intervention group compared with the control group (21.7 vs. 16.4; p < 0.001). A peak effect was observed at the second year (improvement 7.1% higher than in the control group; p < 0.001). Physical activity was the main driver of the change in KAH at all evaluation times. Children in the intervention group for 2 years and 1 year showed greater improvement than control subjects (5.9%; p < 0.001 and 2.9%; p = 0.002, respectively). After 3 years, the intervention group showed a higher probability than the control group of reducing the triceps skinfold z-score by at least 0.1 (hazard ratio: 1.40, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.89; p = 0.027).ConclusionsThe SI! Program is an effective strategy for instilling healthy habits among preschoolers, translating into a beneficial effect on adiposity, with maximal effect when started at the earliest age and maintained over 3 years. Wider adoption may have a meaningful effect on cardiovascular health promotion. (Evaluation of the Program SI! for Preschool Education: A School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial [Preschool_PSI!]; NCT01579708

Ação do PIBID Biologia na Educação Básica através da abordagem temática Feireana: ações formativas na educação ambiental

This paper shares the experience of reflective thinking about a training process for teachers and students that was made viable by a program of the Brazilian federal government, the Institutional Program for Scholarships for Initiation in Teaching (pibid, for its initials in Portuguese) through a partnership between universities and basic education schools. In this case, the pibid team diagnosed the need to know the reality of students of the Profesor Benedicto Leme Vieira Neto State School (Salto de Pirapora, São Paulo, Brazil) and their views about their surroundings. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze, from a critical standpoint, the education process that took place between 2014 and 2015 through the action-research approach known as Freire’s thematic approach and a qualitative questionnaire answered by two students from each classroom, for a total of 33 answered questionnaires. Each response was evaluated, and the following situations that limit better living conditions were obtained: environmental problems, consequent risks to the health of the community, dissatisfaction with the environments intended for leisure, lack of identification with the school environment and its surroundings. By identifying these situations, we were able to plan and develop training activities at school, with the aim of articulating teachers in higher education, basic education and initial training. We problematized the notion that the problems observed are not individual and that they affect everyone. As a result, we observed the positive impact of the training activities promoted by the pibid team and the school community, and on the development of pedagogical workshops to continue the work.El presente artículo consiste en un relato de experiencia de cuño reflexivo en tornoa un proceso de formación de profesores y alumnos viabilizado por un programa delgobierno federal brasileño - PIBID (Programa Institucional de Beca de Iniciación a laDocencia) - a través del establecimiento de la asociación entre universidades y escuelasde educación básica. En este caso, el equipo del PIBID diagnosticó la necesidad deconocer la realidad vivida por los alumnos de la Escuela Estadual Profesor BenedictoLeme Vieira Neto (Salto de Pirapora – São Paulo – Brasil) y sus concepciones sobre el&nbsp;ambiente que les rodea. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir y analizar críticamente el proceso de formación que se desarrolló entre 2014 y 2015 a través de la metodología de investigación-acción denominada abordaje temático Freireano y de un cuestionario cualitativo aplicado a dos alumnos de cada aula, en un total de 33 cuestionarios respondidos. Se evaluó cada respuesta y se obtuvieram las siguientes situaciones limitantes de mejores condiciones de vida: problemas ambientales, consecuentes riesgos a la salud de la comunidad, descontento con los ambientes destinados al ocio, falta de identificación con el medio ambiente escolar y sus alrededores. La identificación de estas situaciones permitió la planificación y desarrollo de actividades de formación en la escuela, con el fin de articular los profesores en la educación superior, la educación básica y la formación inicial. Se problematizó la noción de que los problemas observados no son individuales, y afecta a todos. Como resultado fue observado el impacto positivo de las actividades formativas propiciadas por el equipo PIBID, junto a comunidad de la escuela, y en el desarrollo de talleres pedagógicos para la continuidad del trabajo.O presente artigo consiste em um relato de experiência de cunho reflexivo sobre o processo de formação de professores e alunos viabilizado por um programa do governo federal brasileiro — pibid (programa institucional de bolsa de iniciação à docência)- Através do estabelecimento da associação entre universidades e escolas de Educação Básica. Neste caso, a equipe do pibid diagnosticou a necessidade de conhecer a realidade vivenciada pelos alunos da Escola Estadual Professor Benedicto Leme Vieira Neto (Salto de Pirapora, São Paulo, Brasil) e suas concepções sobre o ambiente que os rodeia. Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever e analisar criticamente o processo de formação desenvolvido entre 2014 e 2015, através da metodologia de pesquisa-ação denominada abordagem temática Feireana e um questionário qualitativo aplicado a dois alunos de cada sala de aula, em total 33 questionários respondidos. Avaliou-se cada resposta e obtiveram-se as seguintes situações limitantes de melhores condições de vida: problemas ambientais, consequentes riscos à saúde da comunidade, desconformidade com os ambientes destinados ao lazer, falta de identificação como o ambiente escolar e suas proximidades. A identificação dessas situações possibilitou a planificação e o desenvolvimento de atividades de formação na escola, visando articular os professores na educação superior, o ensino básico e a formação inicial. Problematizou-se a noção de que os problemas observados não são individuais e a afetam à comunidade. Como resultado, evidenciou-se o impacto positivo das atividades formativas propiciadas pela equipe pibid, em parceria com a comunidade da escola, no desenvolvimento de oficinas pedagógicas para a continuidade do trabalho

Comment on "How green is blue hydrogen?"

This paper is written in response to the paper “How green is blue hydrogen?” by R. W. Howarth and M. Z. Jacobson. It aims at highlighting and discussing the method and assumptions of that paper, and thereby providing a more balanced perspective on blue hydrogen, which is in line with current best available practices and future plant specifications aiming at low CO2 emissions. More specifically, in this paper, we show that: (i) the simplified method that Howarth and Jacobson used to compute the energy balance of blue hydrogen plants leads to significant overestimation of CO2 emissions and natural gas (NG) consumption and (ii) the assumed methane leakage rate is at the high end of the estimated emissions from current NG production in the United States and cannot be considered representative of all-NG and blue hydrogen value chains globally. By starting from the detailed and rigorously calculated mass and energy balances of two blue hydrogen plants in the literature, we show the impact that methane leakage rate has on the equivalent CO2 emissions of blue hydrogen. On the basis of our analysis, we show that it is possible for blue hydrogen to have significantly lower equivalent CO2 emissions than the direct use of NG, provided that hydrogen production processes and CO2 capture technologies are implemented that ensure a high CO2 capture rate, preferably above 90%, and a low-emission NG supply chain

Monitoring Functional Capability of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputations Using Mobile Phones

To be effective, a prescribed prosthetic device must match the functional requirements and capabilities of each patient. These capabilities are usually assessed by a clinician and reported by the Medicare K-level designation of mobility. However, it is not clear how the K-level designation objectively relates to the use of prostheses outside of a clinical environment. Here, we quantify participant activity using mobile phones and relate activity measured during real world activity to the assigned K-levels. We observe a correlation between K-level and the proportion of moderate to high activity over the course of a week. This relationship suggests that accelerometry-based technologies such as mobile phones can be used to evaluate real world activity for mobility assessment. Quantifying everyday activity promises to improve assessment of real world prosthesis use, leading to a better matching of prostheses to individuals and enabling better evaluations of future prosthetic devices.Max Nader Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcome

Structuring of Bacterioplankton Diversity in a Large Tropical Bay

Structuring of bacterioplanktonic populations and factors that determine the structuring of specific niche partitions have been demonstrated only for a limited number of colder water environments. In order to better understand the physical chemical and biological parameters that may influence bacterioplankton diversity and abundance, we examined their productivity, abundance and diversity in the second largest Brazilian tropical bay (Guanabara Bay, GB), as well as seawater physical chemical and biological parameters of GB. The inner bay location with higher nutrient input favored higher microbial (including vibrio) growth. Metagenomic analysis revealed a predominance of Gammaproteobacteria in this location, while GB locations with lower nutrient concentration favored Alphaproteobacteria and Flavobacteria. According to the subsystems (SEED) functional analysis, GB has a distinctive metabolic signature, comprising a higher number of sequences in the metabolism of phosphorus and aromatic compounds and a lower number of sequences in the photosynthesis subsystem. The apparent phosphorus limitation appears to influence the GB metagenomic signature of the three locations. Phosphorus is also one of the main factors determining changes in the abundance of planktonic vibrios, suggesting that nutrient limitation can be observed at community (metagenomic) and population levels (total prokaryote and vibrio counts)