Sarcoptes scabiei: Specific immune response to sarcoptic mange in the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica depends on previous exposure and sex

Host acquired immunity is a critical factor that conditions the survival of parasites. Nevertheless, there is a shortage of data concerning inter-individual immunological inequalities in wild mammals. Sarcoptic mange is a widespread parasitosis that severely affects mammals such as the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Despite some work on the subject, the immune response to sarcoptic mange infestation is still a complex and poorly understood phenomenon. To improve knowledge of the host-. Sarcoptes immunological interaction, 18 Iberian ibexes were experimentally infested. IgG levels were assessed using ELISA to test for potential factors determining the specific immune response to infestation. Previous exposure and sex appeared to affect the IgG response to infestation and our results suggest a sex-biased immunomodulation. We discuss the immunological pattern of host-. Sarcoptes interactions and also suggest further lines of work that may improve the understanding of immunological interactions of host-Sarcoptes systems. © 2009 Elsevier Inc.Peer Reviewe

Crude extract of cyanobacteria (Radiocystis fernandoi, strain R28) induces liver impairments in fish

Radiocystis fernandoi R28 strain is a cyanobacterium which produces mostly the RR and YR microcystin variants (MC-RR and MC-YR, respectively). The effects of crude extract of the R. fernandoi strain R28 were evaluated on the protein phosphatases and on the structure and ultrastructure of the liver of the Neotropical fish, Hoplias malabaricus, after acute and subchronic exposure. Concomitantly, the accumulation of the majority of MCs was determined in the liver and muscle. The fish were exposed to 120.60 MC-RR+MC-LR kg-fish−1 (= 100 μg MC-LReq kg-fish−1) for 12 and 96 h (one single dose, acute exposure) and 30 days (one similar dose every 72 h, subchronic exposure). MCs did not accumulate in the muscle but, in the liver, MC-YR accumulated after acute exposure and MC-RR and MC-YR accumulation occurred after subchronic exposure. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity was inhibited only after subchronic exposure. Acute exposure induced liver hyperemia, hemorrhage, changes in hepatocytes and cord-like disorganization. At the ultrastructural level, the decreasing of glycogen and lipid levels, the swelling of mitochondria and whirling of endoplasmic reticulum suggested hepatocyte necrosis. Subchronic exposure resulted in a complete disarrangement of cord-like hepatocytes, some recovery of mitochondria and whirling endoplasmic reticulum and extensive connective tissues containing fibrous materials in the liver parenchyma. Despite microcystin toxicity and liver alterations, no tumor was induced by MCs. In conclusion, the increased algal mass of R. fernandoi in tropical freshwater, producing mainly MC-RR and MC-YR variants, results in fish liver impairments.Fil: Paulino, M. G.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Tavares, D.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Bieczynski, Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Pedrão, P.G.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Souza, N. E. S.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Sakuragui, M. M.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Luquet, Carlos Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Terezan, A. P.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Fernandes, J. B.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; BrasilFil: Giani, A.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Fernandes, M. N.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasi

Analytical solutions to general anti-plane shear problems in finite elasticity

This paper presents a pure complementary energy variational method for solving a general anti-plane shear problem in finite elasticity. Based on the canonical duality–triality theory developed by the author, the nonlinear/nonconvex partial differential equations for the large deformation problem are converted into an algebraic equation in dual space, which can, in principle, be solved to obtain a complete set of stress solutions. Therefore, a general analytical solution form of the deformation is obtained subjected to a compatibility condition. Applications are illustrated by examples with both convex and nonconvex stored strain energies governed by quadratic-exponential and power-law material models, respectively. Results show that the nonconvex variational problem could have multiple solutions at each material point, the complementary gap function and the triality theory can be used to identify both global and local extremal solutions, while the popular convexity conditions (including rank-one condition) provide mainly local minimal criteria and the Legendre-Hadamard condition (i.e., the so-called strong ellipticity condition) does not guarantee uniqueness of solutions. This paper demonstrates again that the pure complementary energy principle and the triality theory play important roles in finite deformation theory and nonconvex analysis. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg