Social stress increases expression of hemoglobin genes in mouse prefrontal cortex

Background: In order to better understand the effects of social stress on the prefrontal cortex, we investigated gene expression in mice subjected to acute and repeated social encounters of different duration using microarrays. Results: The most important finding was identification of hemoglobin genes (Hbb-b1, Hbb-b2, Hba-a1, Hba-a2, Beta-S) as potential markers of chronic social stress in mice. Expression of these genes was progressively increased in animals subjected to 8 and 13 days of repeated stress and was correlated with altered expression of Mgp (Mglap), Fbln1, 1500015O10Rik (Ecrg4), SLC16A10, and Mndal. Chronic stress increased also expression of Timp1 and Ppbp that are involved in reaction to vascular injury. Acute stress did not affect expression of hemoglobin genes but it altered expression of Fam107a (Drr1) and Agxt2l1 (Etnppl) that have been implicated in psychiatric diseases. Conclusions: The observed up-regulation of genes associated with vascular system and brain injury suggests that stressful social encounters may affect brain function through the stress-induced dysfunction of the vascular system

Deficiências minerais em plantas de bertalha ( Basella alba, L.)

Basella alba is used as a major food on the Amazon region, north Brazil for its high mineral and vitamins content. The purpose of the present work was: a) obtain a clear picture of the macronutrient deficiency; b) growth of the plants in function of (1); c) analyptical levels found in the leaves. Young Basella alba plants (bertalha in Portuguese) were cultivated in pots containing fine pure quartz and irrigated by percolation with different nutrient solutions lacking one of the element at the time. Clear cut symptoms were obtained for all macronutrients. Only the omission of nitrogen and potassium affect the dry matter production of plants. The range in dry matter for unhealthy and healthy leaves were: N% = 1.25--3-55; P% = 0.17-0.36; K% = 0.46-3.55; Ca% = 0,62-1.78; Mg% = 0.37-0.80; S% = 0.19-0.13.Plantas de bertalha (Basella alba, L.) INPA-1 foram cultivadas em casa de vegetação em quartzo moído, irrigadas com soluções nutritivas conforme SARRUGE (1975) e submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: completo, omissão de N, omissão de P, omissão de K, omissão de Ca, omissão de Mg e omissão de S, com o objetivo de: (a) obter sintomas de deficiência dos ma cronutrientes; (b) analisar o crescimento das plantas através da produção de matéria seca; (c) determinar a concentração dos macronutrientes nas folhas e caules das plantas cultivadas nos diversos tratamentos. Os sintomas visuais de deficiência foram identificados e descritos. As plantas foram coletadas e separadas em raiz, caule, folhas e determinaram-se os teores dos macronutrientes minerais neste material. Os resultados obtidos mostram: - os sintomas visuais de deficiência são bem definidos e de fácil caracterização para todos os nutrientes; - só foi possível detectar efeito na produção de matéria seca das folhas e caules para omissão de nitrogênio e para omissão de potássio nos caules; - os níveis de deficiência e adequação obtidos nas folhas foram respectivamente: N% = 1,25 e 2,63; P% = 0,17 e 0,36; K% = 0,46 e 3,55; Ca% = 0,62e 1,78; Mg% = 0,37 e 0,80; s%= 0,19 e 0,23. - os níveis de deficiência e adequação obtidos nos caules foram respectivamente: N% = 0,67 e 0,98; P% = 0,13 e 0,31; K% = 0,73 e 2,67; Ca% = 0,11 e 0,64; Mg% = 0,08 e 0,20; S% = 0,15 e 0,20

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Effects of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) supplementation on ATP content of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa (AI)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PAF supplementation in semen extender on ATP content in cryopreserved bull spermatozoa used for artificial insemination at different time intervals. Cryopreserved semen was treated with different concentrations of PAF: 1x10⁻⁵M, 1x10⁻⁶M, 1x10⁻⁷M, 1x10⁻⁸M and 1x10⁻⁹M at 37°C. In the present work we showed that content of ATP in cryopreserved semen supplemented with 1x10⁻⁹M PAF was statistically significantly higher at 90 and 120 minutes of incubation in comparison to the control group (p≤0.05). Present study indicates the potential influence of PAF on ATP content in male spermatozoa via it’s protective role towards mitochondria metabolic activity

European birth cohorts for environmental health research

BACKGROUND Many pregnancy and birth cohort studies investigate the health effects of early-life environmental contaminant exposure. An overview of existing studies and their data is needed to improve collaboration, harmonization, and future project planning. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to create a comprehensive overview of European birth cohorts with environmental exposure data. METHODS Birth cohort studies were included if they a) collected data on at least one environmental exposure, b) started enrollment during pregnancy or at birth, c) included at least one follow-up point after birth, d) included at least 200 mother-child pairs, and e) were based in a European country. A questionnaire collected information on basic protocol details and exposure and health outcome assessments, including specific contaminants, methods and samples, timing, and number of subjects. A full inventory can be searched on www.birthcohortsenrieco.net. RESULTS Questionnaires were completed by 37 cohort studies of > 350,000 mother-child pairs in 19 European countries. Only three cohorts did not participate. All cohorts collected biological specimens of children or parents. Many cohorts collected information on passive smoking (n = 36), maternal occupation (n = 33), outdoor air pollution (n = 27), and allergens/biological organisms (n = 27). Fewer cohorts (n = 12-19) collected information on water contamination, ionizing or nonionizing radiation exposures, noise, metals, persistent organic pollutants, or other pollutants. All cohorts have information on birth outcomes; nearly all on asthma, allergies, childhood growth and obesity; and 26 collected information on child neurodevelopment. CONCLUSION Combining forces in this field will yield more efficient and conclusive studies and ultimately improve causal inference. This impressive resource of existing birth cohort data could form the basis for longer-term and worldwide coordination of research on environment and child health