Original Article Vascular hypercontractility and endothelial dysfunction before development of atherosclerosis in moderate dyslipidemia: role for nitric oxide and interleukin-6

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that affects peripheral arteries and the aorta. Several inflammatory processes are required until the production of an atheroma. Before the atheroma appears, endothelial dysfunction is a key event. We hypothesized that endothelial dysfunction occurs in a mouse model of mild dyslipidemia, the mouse deficient in apolipoprotein E (apoE +/-). Using aortic rings preparation, we found that apoE +/-mice showed increased developed tension in response to KCl 60 mM when using a range a pre-loads from 0.5 to 2.0 grams (p = 0.038). Next, we tested the vasorelaxant capacity of apoE +/-aortas (pre-contracted with phenylephrine) in response to acetylcholine, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator. ApoE +/-aortas showed diminished vasorelaxation in a range of Ach concentrations (p = 0.0032). Next we assessed the levels of plasma NO metabolites, nitrite plus nitrate. These were significantly reduced, along with a significant decrease of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase in ApoE +/-mice. When we analyzed the morphology of the aortas in apoE +/-mice, these showed no signs of atheroma. In addition, we analyzed the levels of inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha, MCP-1 and interleukin 6 (Il-6). While TNFalpha was similar in both groups, (18.3 ± 2 pg/mL in wild type vs. 17.5 ± 2 pg/mL in apoE +/-), MCP-1 was increased in ApoE deficient mice (71.5 ± 0.8 pg/mL in wild type vs. 85.1 ± 7.4 pg/mL in ApoE +/-mice, p = 0.006), along with IL-6 (24.7 ± 1.7 pg/ml in wild type vs. 47.1 ± 12.5 in ApoE mice, p = 0.0055). These results suggest that mild dyslipidemia produces a pro-inflammatory state, associated with diminished NOS and NO production, which produces endothelial dysfunction

Ensiling on chemical composition and in vitro fermentation in rabbits of different forages

The effect of chemical composition of silages on in vitro gas fermentation profiles in rabbits was examined. The study was performed using 7 silages: beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), faba bean (FB, Vicia faba), common vetch (CV, Vicia sativa), ryegrass (Lolium perenne), barley (B, Hordeum vulgare), barley with common vetch (BCV) and barley with faba bean (BFB). We used 3 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits as donors of caecal content in each incubation run (n=3). Data were analyzed in a completely randomized experimental design. The CV silage showed higher values of crude protein (CP), followed by FB and bean silages (P<0.001). Barley silage had the lowest CP content (96g kg -1 DM) (P=0.001). The NDF and ADF content were lower (P<0.001) for beans and CV compared with the rest of the forage silages. Ryegrass silage had higher values of dry matter degradation, organic matter degradation, relative GP and SCFA (P<0.001). The highest values of digestible energy were for CV and bean silages (P<0.001). Ryegrass and CV silages showed higher levels in GP parameters, which could be associated with their better chemical composition characteristics, mainly pr otein and fiber content

Search for gravitational-lensing signatures in the full third observing run of the LIGO-Virgo network

Gravitational lensing by massive objects along the line of sight to the source causes distortions of gravitational wave-signals; such distortions may reveal information about fundamental physics, cosmology and astrophysics. In this work, we have extended the search for lensing signatures to all binary black hole events from the third observing run of the LIGO--Virgo network. We search for repeated signals from strong lensing by 1) performing targeted searches for subthreshold signals, 2) calculating the degree of overlap amongst the intrinsic parameters and sky location of pairs of signals, 3) comparing the similarities of the spectrograms amongst pairs of signals, and 4) performing dual-signal Bayesian analysis that takes into account selection effects and astrophysical knowledge. We also search for distortions to the gravitational waveform caused by 1) frequency-independent phase shifts in strongly lensed images, and 2) frequency-dependent modulation of the amplitude and phase due to point masses. None of these searches yields significant evidence for lensing. Finally, we use the non-detection of gravitational-wave lensing to constrain the lensing rate based on the latest merger-rate estimates and the fraction of dark matter composed of compact objects

Search for eccentric black hole coalescences during the third observing run of LIGO and Virgo

Despite the growing number of confident binary black hole coalescences observed through gravitational waves so far, the astrophysical origin of these binaries remains uncertain. Orbital eccentricity is one of the clearest tracers of binary formation channels. Identifying binary eccentricity, however, remains challenging due to the limited availability of gravitational waveforms that include effects of eccentricity. Here, we present observational results for a waveform-independent search sensitive to eccentric black hole coalescences, covering the third observing run (O3) of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. We identified no new high-significance candidates beyond those that were already identified with searches focusing on quasi-circular binaries. We determine the sensitivity of our search to high-mass (total mass M&gt;70 M⊙) binaries covering eccentricities up to 0.3 at 15 Hz orbital frequency, and use this to compare model predictions to search results. Assuming all detections are indeed quasi-circular, for our fiducial population model, we place an upper limit for the merger rate density of high-mass binaries with eccentricities 0&lt;e≤0.3 at 0.33 Gpc−3 yr−1 at 90\% confidence level

Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

Impacto de extracto de sauce llorón (Salix babylonica) y enzimas exógenas en dietas para corderos

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el impacto que tiene sobre la respuesta productiva la adición de extracto de Salix babylonica, enzimas exógenas ZADO ® en dietas para corderos y estimar la síntesis de proteína microbiana mediante la excreción urinaria de derivados puricos (DP). Se utilizaron 16 corderos de raza Suffolk (28.5 ± 2 kg PV) alojados en jaulas individuales donde recibieron su comida y agua de forma individual durante 60 días, con 10 días de adaptación a la dieta, posteriormente se colocaron en jaulas metabólicas individuales durante 7 días, los corderos fueron asignados a cuatro tratamientos, se alimentaron dos veces al día (0800-1600 h) con 30% de concentrado (16% de PC, 3,2 Mcal EM / kg MS) y 70% de ensilaje de maíz (8% de PC, 2,8 Mcal EM / kg MS) como dieta basal (CONTROL), y se les adiciono extracto de Salix babylonica (30 ml / d) (SB), enzimas exógenas ZADO ® (10 g / d) (EZ) y Salix babylonica extracto (30 ml / d) + enzimas exógenas ZADO ® (10 g / d) (EZSB). Los tratamientos se analizaron en un diseño completamente al azar. LA GDP y CA fueron mejores (P 0.05) entre tratamientos. Como conclusión la adición de 10 g de enzimas fibrolíticas exógenas o en combinación con extracto de Salix babylonica en la dieta de las ovejas, aumenta los parámetros productivos y la síntesis de proteína microbiana

Extending the Base-of-the-Pyramid Concept

The base-of-the-pyramid (BoP) concept plays a prominent role among the market-based perspectives for poverty alleviation. Previous literature reviews discuss the evolution of the BoP concept as a research domain, but several major research streams that approach the phenomenon from distinct angles have been overlooked. To address these shortcomings, the authors expand these reviews and formulate recommendations for theoretical and empirical advances by considering emerging research domains, including corporate social responsibility, inclusive business, microfinance, nonprofit expansion, social entrepreneurship, and subsistence marketplaces. In revising the BoP business model idea, the authors develop a framework that highlights key dimensions for management research in BoP markets, including business ecosystems, financial viability, innovativeness, resource scarcity, role of the poor and scalability. </jats:p

Procesos Y Comportamientos En La Configuración De México

Este libro es el resultado de un análisis compartido desde diferentes perspectivas académicas, analíticas e ideológicas sobre un tema específico, el devenir de México de cara al siglo XXI. El punto de partida son temáticas aparentemente diversas

Segmentation of Consumer Preferences for Vegetables Produced in Areas Depressed by Drought

The megadrought in Chile’s north and central zones has impacted the horticultural production of family farming. One way to mitigate these effects is by adding value to vegetables. However, no studies show the main attributes consumers value of vegetables produced in the megadrought zone. The study’s objective was to evaluate consumer preferences and identify segments based on the extrinsic attributes of vegetables grown in areas depressed by drought. We surveyed 946 vegetable buyers from the Antofagasta, Valparaiso, and Maule regions. Through the conjoint analysis technique, we identified that the main attributes preferred by consumers were presentation (45.3%) and type of vegetables (21.8%), followed by labeling (15.9%), producers (10.3%), and origin (6.7%). The cluster analysis revealed the existence of three segments. The largest segment is motivated by the way vegetables are presented (49.7%), followed by a second segment that values multi-attributes (31.9%) and a smaller segment that is interested in labeling (18.4%). These findings can help position these products in the market and raise awareness of family farming and the economic and production problems that they currently face