Resistance Exercise Improves Metabolic Parameters And Changes Adipocyte-derived Leptin: A Comparison Between Genders In Untrained Adults

This study examined gender differences after resistance exercise (RE) by measuring fasting plasma levels of creatine kinase, lipid profile, blood glucose, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and leptin. Thirteen women (23.6 ± 7.3 years) and 11 men (29.5 ± 9 years) were enrolled in the study. Two bouts of RE were performed on two different occasions separated by 48 h each. Blood samples were collected and analyzed at baseline and 15 h after the last RE session. Increased creatine kinase levels and improvements in lipid profile and blood glucose were found for both genders. No changes in adiponectin and TNF-α levels were observed for both genders, but leptin levels were reduced (p < 0.05) only for women after RE. Collectively, our findings clearly show that RE was effective in lowering blood glucose and that this effect was not accompanied by changes in adiponectin levels in healthy subjects, indicating that RE is still an important tool for the prevention of metabolic diseases. Furthermore, two sessions of RE promoted a reduction in leptin levels in women, even though no changes in body weight were found, showing that RE is an interesting approach to study obese patients and metabolic regulation.22321722

In situ observation of growth dynamics in DECLIC Directional Solidification Insert onboard ISS: DSI-R flight campaign

International audienceThe study of solidification microstructure formation is of utmost importance for materials design and processing, as solid-liquid interface patterns largely govern mechanical and physical properties. Pattern selection occurs under dynamic conditions of growth in which the initial morphological instability evolves nonlinearly and undergoes a reorganization process. The dynamic and nonlinear nature of this instability renders in situ observation of the interface an invaluable tool to gain knowledge on the time-evolution of the interface pattern. Transparent organic analogs, which solidify like metallic alloys, allow direct visualization of interface dynamics. Extensive ground-based studies of both metallic and organic bulk samples have established the presence of significant convection during solidification processes that alters the formation of interfacial microstructures. A reduced-gravity environment is therefore mandatory for fluid flow elimination in bulk samples. In the framework of the CNES project MISOL3D (MIcrostrutures de SOLidification 3D) and the NASA projects DSIP (Dynamical Selection of 3D Interface Patterns), SPADES (SPAtiotemporal Evolution of three-dimensional DEndritic array Structures) and CAMUS (ComputAtional Studies of MicrostrUcture Formation During Alloy Solidification in Microgravity), we participated in the development of the Directional Solidification Insert (DSI) of the DEvice for the study of Critical Liquids and Crystallization (DECLIC). The DECLIC-DSI is dedicated to in situ and real-time characterization of solid-liquid interface patterns during directional solidification of transparent alloys in diffusive transport regime. Between April 2010 and March 2011, the first ISS campaign (DSI) explored the entire range of microstructures resulting in unprecedented observations. A second campaign (DSI-R), performed between October 2017 and December 2018, in which the insert contained an alloy of higher solute concentration, allowed to complete the benchmark database. The increase of solute concentration resulted in well-developed dendritic patterns at lower velocities (lower interface curvature and larger tip radius). The microstructure resulting from dendritic growth is dominant in metallurgy so that it is fundamental to understand the mechanisms of its formation. The main aims of this experimental campaign are to understand: the mechanisms of the cell to dendrite transition, the fundamental mechanisms of sidebranching formation, the dependence of dendrite tip shapes on growth conditions, the interaction of primary array and secondary sidebranches, and the influence of subgrain boundaries on the spatiotemporal organization of the array structure. Preparation, analysis and interpretation of the experiments performed onboard ISS are considerably enhanced by experiments performed on ground using thin-samples (Pr. Trivedi's group) and phase-field simulations of microstructure formation in a diffuse growth regime (Pr. Karma's group). In this summary, we will present an initial assessment of the results obtained during the DSI-R campaign

In vitro antimicrobial sensitivity to Staphylococcus spp. isolates from dairy cows with subclinical mastitis

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a sensibilidade antimicrobiana in vitro de 291 isolados de Staphylococcus spp. recuperados de amostras de leite de vacas com mastite subclínica, em 15 propriedades rurais localizadas na Região Metropolitana do Recife (A), Agreste (B) e Zona da Mata (C) do estado de Pernambuco. Dos 291 isolados, 170(58,4%) foram classificados como Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (SCN), 84(28,9%) como Staphylococcus aureus e 37(12,7%) como Staphylococcus coagulase positiva (SCP). Para o estudo do perfil de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos empregou-se a técnica de difusão em discos, foram avaliadas 16 drogas antimicrobianas utilizadas no tratamento das mastites. O antibiótico que apresentou melhor eficácia in vitro foi a associação entre neomicina + bacitracina + tetraciclina com percentuais de 98,4%, 99,3%, 89,7% para as regiões A, B e C, respectivamente. O antibiótico menos eficaz foi a ampicilina que apresentou 56,5% de resistência para as amostras da região A, 72,8% para a região B e 71,8% na região C. Os resultados obtidos mostram a necessidade da realização periódica de testes de sensibilidade in vitro, pois existem variações no perfil de sensibilidade e resistência que podem comprometer o tratamento do animal bem como os programas de controle da mastite bovina causada pelo Staphylococcus spp.The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial sensibility of 291 isolates of Staphylococcus spp., taken from the mammary glands of dairy cows with subclinical mastitis in the regions of Metropolitan Recife (A), Agreste (B) and Zona da Mata (C) in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. From the 291 isolates, 170 (58.4%) were identified as negative coagulase Staphylococcus (SCN), 84 (28.9%) as Staphylococcus aureus, and 37 (12.7%) as positive coagulase Staphylococcus (SCP). To study sensitivity to antimicrobials, the diffusion in disks method was used with 16 antimicrobial drugs commonly employed in the treatment of mastitis. The most efficient antibiotic in vitro was the combination of neomicine + bacitracine + tetracycline with percentages of 98.4%, 99.3%, and 89.7% for the A, B, and C regions, respectively. The least efficient was ampicillin, which was resistant to 56.5% of the isolates taken from region A, 72.8% from region B, and 71.8% from region C. These results indicate the need for periodic testing of sensitivity in vitro, as these variations can compromise the treatment of animals as well as control programs for bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus spp

BARRANCO DE AZUAJE [Material gráfico]

ADQUIRIDA POR EL COLECCIONISTA EN LAS PALMAS DE G.C.FOTO POSTAL DE "FUENTE DE AZUAJE. MOYA. GRAN CANARIA, LAS PALMAS" (COLOREADA)Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Subdirección General de Coordinación Bibliotecaria, 201

Response of intensive and super-intensive olive grove to two different irrigation regimens: physiological parameters, production and quality

Olive grove irrigation has substantially increased in the past years on the region of Alentejo (southern Portugal). The correct determination of the plant water requirements is one of the key factors on the orchard management. This work evaluates the response of two varieties of Olea europaea, Cobrançosa in an intensive grove (hereafter named FEA) and Arbequina in a hedgerow orchard (hereafter named OSul), subject to two water regimes, the one usually practiced by the farmer (emitters with flow rate 1.6 or 2.3 l h-1 on FEA or OSul, respectively) and an excessive water supply on FEA or a deficit irrigation in OSul. The main water relation parameters, chlorophyll content and spectral emission were determined on adult and young leaves, at solar mid-day, three times over the year, spring, late summer and winter 2011. In October, fruits were harvested and total production, oil content and quality were assessed. The results show that in the intensive grove of Cobrançosa (FEA), water supply above the one practiced by the farmer did not improve fruit production neither oil content or quality. There were also no significant differences between the water relation parameters of plants subject to the two irrigation regimes. As to the hedgerow orchard of Arbequina (OSul), deficit irrigation induced lower production and also lower leaf water content, lower water potential and lower stomatal conductance at the end of summer and winter, although oil content and quality remained similar. Chlorophyll content and vegetation indexes were only occasionally affected by the irrigation regime. In both olive groves and irrigation regimes, oil quality was not affected, always attaining the characteristics of an extra virgin olive oil. This research continues in 2012

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset