Hepatic acute phase response protects the brain from focal inflammation during postnatal window of susceptibility

Perinatal inflammation is known to contribute to neurodevelopmental diseases. Animal models of perinatal inflammation have revealed that the inflammatory response within the brain is age dependent, but the regulators of this variation remain unclear. In the adult, the peripheral acute phase response (APR) is known to be pivotal in the downstream recruitment of leukocytes to the injured brain. The relationship between perinatal brain injury and the APR has not been established. Here, we generated focal inflammation in the brain using interleukin (IL)-1β at postnatal day (P)7, P14, P21 and P56 and studied both the central nervous system (CNS) and hepatic inflammatory responses at 4 h. We found that there is a significant window of susceptibility in mice at P14, when compared to mice at P7, P21 and P56. This was reflected in increased neutrophil recruitment to the CNS, as well as an increase in blood–brain barrier permeability. To investigate phenomena underlying this window of susceptibility, we performed a dose response of IL-1β. Whilst induction of endogenous IL-1β or intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in the brain and induction of a hepatic APR were dose dependent, the recruitment of neutrophils and associated blood–brain barrier breakdown was inversely proportional. Furthermore, in contrast to adult animals, an additional peripheral challenge (intravenous IL-1β) reduced the degree of CNS inflammation, rather than exacerbating it. Together these results suggest a unique window of susceptibility to CNS injury, meaning that suppressing systemic inflammation after brain injury may exacerbate the damage caused, in an age-dependent manner

Semi-inclusive two-nucleon emission in (anti) neutrino CC scattering within the relativistic mean field framework

This paper delves into the distribution of semi-inclusive events involving the emission of two nucleons in (anti) neutrino charged-current scattering. The analysis is conducted within the framework of relativistic mean field theory applied to nuclear matter. To quantify the likelihood of such semi-inclusive events occurring, we employ a relativistic model of meson-exchange currents that aligns with the 2p2h inclusive cross-section. The outcomes are presented in terms of one-fold and two-fold integrated semi-inclusive cross sections. To highlight disparities among the various emission channels, including proton-proton, neutron-proton, and neutron-neutron, we compare them against a purely phase-space isotropic distribution within the center of mass of the two nucleons. These comparisons reveal significant differences in the event distributions, shedding light on the distinctive characteristics of each channel.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figure

Efecto de las prácticas de repoblación forestal sobre el carbono orgánico del suelo y la estabilidad de los agregados en el noreste de Argentina

This study evaluated the behaviour of organic carbon, labile carbon and aggregate stability under different residue management systems after harvesting of Pinus elliottii E. at the beginning of the second rotation. After 3 years and 5 month of applied the treatment was compared the following systems of site preparation: 1) extraction of forest residues, 2) burning and tillage, and 3) conservation of residues on the soil. The extraction of residues, and burns with disk caused a fall in the organic carbon soil OC of the 20% and 37% in the 0-5 cm and 5-15 cm layer. The loss of light carbon was of the 35% in surface and of the 50% in subsurface. The aggregate mean weight diameter wet sieving was affected by residue extraction. The smaller aggregates were found following the application of burning and tillage practices. The change in aggregate diameter indicated a marked process of loss of the structure associated with the decrease of the organic carbon and with the light carbon to apply intensive practices of site.Se evaluó el comportamiento del carbono orgánico, del carbono liviano y la estabilidad de los agregados ante la aplicación de diferentes alternativas de manejo de los restos de la corta final, de una plantación de Pinus elliottii E. Luego de 3 años y 5 meses de aplicados los tratamientos se comparó la extracción de los restos de la corta forestal, la quema y el laboreo, y la conservación de los mismos sobre el suelo. La extracción total, y la quema con laboreo provocaron una caída en el carbono orgánico del 20% y 37% en el espesor 0-5 cm y 5-15 cm respectivamente. La pérdida de carbono liviano fue del 35% en superficie y del 50% en subsuperficie. El diámetro medio ponderado de los agregados tamizado en húmedo fue afectado por la eliminación de la biomasa vegetal. Los agregados más pequeños se presentaron donde se aplicó la quema y el laboreo. El cambio en el diámetro de los agregados muestra un proceso pérdida de la estructura que se asoció con la disminución del carbono orgánico y con el carbono liviano del suelo al aplicar prácticas intensivas de preparación del suelo

Current Acquaintance on Agronomic Biofortification to Modulate the Yield and Functional Value of Vegetable Crops: A Review

Fresh vegetables and fruits have always been the mainstays of good nutrition as providers of fiber, beneficial phytochemicals (such as vitamins and phenolic compounds), and minerals. Today and in the future, biofortification is a promising strategy to increase the concentration of these compounds. Considering the importance of minerals in human health, the enrichment of fresh produce for consumption has been considered through specific agronomic approaches. This review discusses, in detail, the latest findings on vegetable agronomic biofortification, aimed at increasing the concentration of crucial minerals, such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), iodine (I), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and silicon (Si), in edible portions, focusing on the direct and indirect effects of this strategy. Although agronomic biofortification is considered a feasible technique, the approach is complex due to the many interactions between the microelement bioavailability for both plants and consumers. Therefore, the effects of biofortification on human health and the influence of beneficial and antinutritional compounds were discussed in detail to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this practice

Association between adiposity indicators, metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in a sample of female adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between total and abdominal adiposity with metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers, in female adolescents. The sample consisted of 53 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years from a public school in Curitiba, Brazil. The adiposity indicators studied were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), trunk fat mass (TKFM), total fat mass (TFM) and body fat percentage (BF%) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The metabolic and inflammatory parameters studied were systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), leptin, adiponectin and resistin. Eighty percent of WC variation, 87% of TKFM and TFM, and 73% of BF% were predicted by BMI variation. There was a significant positive correlation between all indicators of adiposity with SBP, DBP, insulin, HOMA-IR, CRP and leptin. Triglycerides were positively correlated with BMI and WC, and adiponectin correlated negatively with BMI. TNF-α, IL-6, glucose, total cholesterol, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not correlate to the studied variables. BMI showed a significant association with most of the parameters studied, and WC was slightly better than BMI to predict insulin resistance in this specific population.59432533

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) secondary to epidermoid cyst in the right cerebellopontine angle successfully treated with surgery

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome is a rare headache syndrome classified among the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. It is usually idiopathic, although infrequent secondary forms have been described. Recently, the term short-lasting unilateral headache with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) has been defined by the International Headache Society (ICHD-2) as similar to SUNCT with less prominent absent conjunctival injection and lacrimation. We report a patient with paroxysmal orbito-temporal pains, phenotypically suggesting SUNA, secondary to epidermoid cyst in the cerebellopontine angle which disappeared after tumor resection. Neuroimaging should be considered in all patients with SUNA, notably in those with atypical presentation as our patient who presented on examination trigeminal hypoesthesia and tinnitus. Realization of a brain MRI would rule out injuries that causes this type of syndrome

Multifocus HDR VIS/NIR hyperspectral imaging and its application to works of art

The authors would like to thank Mr. Francisco Fernández Fábregas, owner of the Transfiguration of Christ for allowing us the privilege of studying this painting. We also acknowledge the collaboration of Angela Tate.This paper presents a complete framework for capturing and processing hyperspectral reflectance images of artworks in situ, using a hyperspectral line scanner. These capturing systems are commonly used in laboratory conditions synchronized with scanning stages specifically designed for planar surfaces. However, when the intended application domain does not allow for image capture in these controlled conditions, achieving useful spectral reflectance image data can be a very challenging task (due to uncontrolled illumination, high-dynamic range (HDR) conditions in the scene, and the influence of chromatic aberration on the image quality, among other factors). We show, for the first time, all the necessary steps in the image capturing and post-processing in order to obtain high-quality HDR-based reflectance in the visible and near infrared, directly from the data captured by using a hyperspectral line scanner coupled to a rotating tripod. Our results show that the proposed method outperforms the normal capturing process in terms of dynamic range, color and spectral accuracy. To demonstrate the potential interest of this processing strategy for on-site analysis of artworks, we applied it to the study of a vintage copy of the famous painting “Transfiguration” by Raphael, as well as a facsimile of “The Golden Haggadah” from the British Library of London. The second piece has been studied for the identification of highly reflective gold-foil covered areas.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, DPI2015-64571-R, ECQM2018-004952-

Repetibilidade de resposta para produção in vivo de embriões em ovelhas Santa Inês.

Resumo: Tem sido observado em caprinos e bovinos que animais com desempenho satisfatório em programas de superovulação tendem a manter esta boa resposta em protocolos consecutivos. Esta característica tem uma grande aplicabilidade, uma vez que um primeiro programa para produção de embriões poderia servir para triar animais com maior potencial de resposta. Assim, apenas as doadoras com histórico de alto potencial de resposta seriam incluídas em futuras superovulações, o que poderia aumentar a eficiência da MOTE. Levando em conta estes conceitos, objetivou-se verificar se borregas da raça Santa Inês mantém um padrão de resposta quando submetidas a três superovulações consecutivas para a produção in vivo de embriões. [Repeatability of response for embryo in vivo production in Santa Inês sheep].Resumo apresentado nos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal, Santos, SP, 2017

Long-term results of radiotherapy for periarthritis of the shoulder: a retrospective evaluation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate retrospectively the results of radiotherapy for periarthritis of the shoulder</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 1983–2004, 141 patients were treated, all had attended at least one follow-up examination. 19% had had pain for several weeks, 66% for months and 14% for years. Shoulder motility was impaired in 137/140 patients. Nearly all patients had taken oral analgesics, 81% had undergone physiotherapy, five patients had been operated on, and six had been irradiated. Radiotherapy was applied using regular anterior-posterior opposing portals and Co-60 gamma rays or 4 MV photons. 89% of the patients received a total dose of 6 Gy (dose/fraction of 1 Gy twice weekly, the others had total doses ranging from 4 to 8 Gy. The patients and the referring doctors were given written questionnaires in order to obtain long-term results. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.9 years [0–20 years].</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the first follow-up examination at the end of radiotherapy 56% of the patients reported pain relief and improvement of motility. After in median 4.5 months the values were 69 and 89%, after 3.9 years 73% and 73%, respectively. There were virtually no side effects. In the questionnaires, 69% of the patients reported pain relief directly after radiotherapy, 31% up to 12 weeks after radiotherapy. 56% of the patients stated that pain relief had lasted for "years", in further 12% at least for "months".</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Low-dose radiotherapy for periarthropathy of the shoulder was highly effective and yielded long-lasting improvement of pain and motility without side effects.</p