Morphometric analysis of the phrenic nerve in male and female Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Ventilatory differences between rat strains and genders have been described but the morphology of the phrenic nerve has not been investigated in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. A descriptive and morphometric study of the phrenic nerves of male (N = 8) and female (N = 9) SHR, and male (N = 5) and female (N = 6) WKY is presented. After arterial pressure and heart rate recordings, the phrenic nerves of 20-week-old animals were prepared for epoxy resin embedding and light microscopy. Morphometric analysis performed with the aid of computer software that took into consideration the fascicle area and diameter, as well as myelinated fiber profile and Schwann cell nucleus number per area. Phrenic nerves were generally larger in males than in females on both strains but larger in WKY compared to SHR for both genders. Myelinated fiber numbers (male SHR = 228 ± 13; female SHR = 258 ± 4; male WKY = 382 ± 23; female WKY = 442 ± 11 for proximal right segments) and density (N/mm²; male SHR = 7048 ± 537; female SHR = 10355 ± 359; male WKY = 9457 ± 1437; female WKY = 14351 ± 1448) for proximal right segments) were significantly larger in females of both groups and remarkably larger in WKY than SHR for both genders. Strain and gender differences in phrenic nerve myelinated fiber number are described for the first time in this experimental model of hypertension, indicating the need for thorough functional studies of this nerve in male and female SHR

Effect of lightweight supports on specific discharge capacity of β-nickel hydroxide

While the performance of βbc (bc: badly crystalline)-nickel hydroxide is relatively unaffected by the use of different lightweight supports, the specific discharge capacity of crystalline β-Ni(OH)2 doubles to approximately 355 mAh g–1 Ni (theoretical, 456 mAh g−1) when pasted to a fibre support compared with 170 mAh g–1 Ni when pasted to a nickel foam. Consequently, the fibre is a superior support as it is unaffected by the quality of the active material and extracts a consistently high performance irrespective of the degree of crystallinity, moisture content, morphology and composition of the active material. Electrochemical impedance measurements indicate that a lower charge-transfer resistance at low states-of-charge is responsible for the superior performance of fibre supported β-Ni(OH)2 electrodes

Sepsis target validation for repurposing and combining complement and immune checkpoint inhibition therapeutics

Introduction: Sepsis is a disease that occurs due to an adverse immune response to infection by bacteria, viruses and fungi and is the leading pathway to death by infection. The hallmarks for maladapted immune reactions in severe sepsis, which contribute to multiple organ failure and death, are bookended by the exacerbated activation of the complement system to protracted T-cell dysfunction states orchestrated by immune checkpoint control. Despite major advances in our understanding of the condition, there remains to be either a definitive test or an effective therapeutic intervention. Areas covered: The authors consider a combinational drug therapy approach using new biologics, and mathematical modeling for predicting patient responses, in targeting innate and adaptive immune mediators underlying sepsis. Special consideration is given for emerging complement and immune checkpoint inhibitors that may be repurposed for sepsis treatment. Expert opinion: In order to overcome the challenges inherent to finding new therapies for the complex dysregulated host response to infection that drives sepsis, it is necessary to move away from monotherapy and promote precision for personalized combinatory therapies. Notably, combinatory therapy should be guided by predictive systems models of the immune-metabolic characteristics of an individual’s disease progression

A Herpetofauna Do Parque Nacional Da Serra Das Confusões, Piauí, Brasil, Com Uma Lista Regional Para Uma área Ecotonal Entre O Cerrado E A Caatinga

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Different physiognomies at Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões (PNSCo) were intensively sampled aiming to access the distribution pattern of its herpetofauna. Sixty six species were found in the park (47 reptiles and 19 amphibians); the rarefaction curve for lizards, although not fully stabilized in an asymptote, indicates that the sampling effort was enough to reveal most lizard species occurring in the area; and richness estimators recovered values close to observed. For amphibians, the curve shows a weak tendency to stabilization with richness estimators indicating that additional records could be done. Field work carried out at PNSCo has highlighted an unique herpetofauna: five new species were described and there are three candidates as new species. The regional list including Cerrados’s units - Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins (EESGT) and Estação Ecológica de Uruçuí-Una (EEUU) with Caatinga’s ones - PNSCo and Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara (PNSCa), shows a high herpetofaunal diversity (191 species) to the region. The cluster analysis recovered the Cerrados’s units and Caatinga’s ones, in separate clusters evidencing a species turnover between domains, despite its geographical proximity. Thus, although there is widespread fauna throughout region shared by the units, each reserve holds its own faunal identity, harboring a singular assemblage of species. © 2016, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. All rights reserved.1632011/50206-9, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo303545/2010-0, CNPq, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico565046/2010-1, CNPq, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Seminal quality, testicle and epididymis morphology of bulls fed a diet containing gossypol

The objective was to evaluate the effect of intake of free gossypol on sperm quality and morphology of the testicles and epididymis of Nelore bulls. Twelve bulls were fed diets containing 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day (cottonseed) (Group 1, n = 6) and a diet free of gossypol (Group 2, n = 6), respectively. Semen samples were collected in the beginning and end of the experiment which lasted 73 days. In the end of the study the testes and epididymis of bulls were removed to study the effect of free gossypol on histological characteristics. The average consumption of 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day (mean 7.1mg of free gossypol/kg/day) reduced motility and sperm concentration and increased the percentage of major and total sperm defects, as well as the animals showing testes with seminiferous tubules of smaller thickness, fewer layers of spermatogenic lineage cells, smaller epididymal epithelium thickness and smaller number of sperm within the epididymal ducts, compared to animals with a diet free of gossypol (Group 2). The consumption of 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day led to changes in morphology and morphometry of the testes and epididymis and reduced sperm quality of bulls.Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da ingestão de gossipol livre sobre a qualidade espermática e a morfologia dos testículos e dos epidídimos de touros da raça Nelore. Doze touros receberam dieta contendo 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia (caroço de algodão) (Grupo 1, n=6) e dieta isenta de gossipol (Grupo 2, n=6), respectivamente. Foram realizadas coletas de sêmen no início e no final do experimento, que teve duração de 73 dias. Ao final do estudo, foram retirados os testículos e os epidídimos dos touros para se estudar o efeito do gossipol livre sobre as características histológicas. O consumo médio de 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia (média 7,1mg de gossipol livre/kg/dia) reduziu a motilidade e a concentração espermática e aumentou a porcentagem de defeitos espermáticos maiores e totais. Além disso, os animais apresentaram testículos com túbulos seminíferos de menor espessura de parede, menor número de camadas de células espermatogênicas, menor espessura do epitélio epididimário e menor número de espermatozoide no interior dos ductos epidídimários, em relação aos animais com dieta isenta de gossipol (Grupo 2). O consumo de 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia acarretou alterações na morfologia e na morfometria dos testículos e dos epidídimos e reduziu a qualidade espermática dos touros.Universidade de Cuiabá Faculdade de Medicina VeterináriaUFMS Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e ZootecniaEpamigUniversidade Federal do Mato GrossoUNIFESP-EPMUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Efeito de níveis de nitrogênio e fósforo no desenvolvimento de mudas de guaranazeiro (Paullinia cupana (Mart.) Ducke), em condições de viveiro

The present work was done with the objective of verifying the effect of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels on the development of five progenies of guaranazeiro (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke) under nursery conditions. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area of EMBRAPA (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária -Porto Velho, RO. Brazil). The experimental design consisted of a completely randomized design with three replications and nine treatments. The results obtained allowed for the following conclusions: a) N1P2 treatment showed better results among those studied; b) Progenies 16 and 13 showed greater potential for development when compared with the others; progeny 29 was second best.Com objetivo de se estudar o efeito de níveis de nitrogênio e fósforo, no desenvolvimento de mudas de cinco progênies de guaranazeiros (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke) em condições de viveiro, foi conduzido um ensaio, na área experimental da EMBRAPA (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) localizada em Porto Velho, Rondônia. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, constituído de 135 plantas úteis, com nove tratamentos e três repetições. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que: a) o tratamento N1P2 correspondente a 2,92 gramas de uréia e 5,20 gramas de superfosfato triplo, aplicados por planta, foi o melhor para todos os parâmetros avaliados; b) as progênies 16 e 13 apresentaram um maior potencial de desenvolvimento, em relação as demais progênies testadas, vindo a seguir a progênie 29

Avaliação do incremento em volume de madeira de Quassia amara L.- Simaroubaceae, em cultivo agroecológico no trópico úmido da Costa Rica.

Quassia amara é arbusto de 3 a 6 metros de altura, tendo sido retirado indiscriminadamente das florestas para extrair do caule as quassinas usadas na indústria farmacêutica e como inseticida em agricultura orgânica. Não se tem muita informação técnica acerca do crescimento desta espécie para subsidiar estratégias de manejo sustentado. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o crescimento de Q. amara L. em cultivo agroecológico na Costa Rica. O trabalho consistiu em realizar avaliações do desenvolvimento de indivíduos de Q. amara em parcelas permanentes de medições, instaladas em meio às plantações desta espécie em consórcio com essências arbóreas. Foram efetuadas medições de diâmetro do caule a 10 cm do solo e altura total. Foi observado que em função das taxas de crescimento vegetal e incrementos médio e corrente anuais (IMA e ICA), mesmo após cinco anos de plantio, a madeira de Quassia amara para extração de quassinas não está pronta para colheita

Challenging molecular dogmas in human sepsis using mathematical reasoning

Sepsis is defined as a dysregulated host-response to infection, across all ages and pathogens. What defines a dysregulated state remains intensively researched but incompletely understood. Here, we dissect the meaning of this definition and its importance for the diagnosis and management of sepsis. We deliberate on pathophysiological features and dogmas that range from cytokine storms and immune paralysis to dormancy and altered homeostasis setpoints. Mathematical reasoning, used to test for plausibility, reveals three interlinked cardinal rules governing host-response trajectories in sepsis. Rule one highlights that the amplitude of the immune response while important is not sufficient and is strictly dependent on rule two, specifying bioenergetic capacity and are together dynamically driven by rule three, delineating stability and alterations in setpoints. We consider these rules and associated pathophysiological parameters for guiding data-science and artificial intelligence mining of multi-omics and big-data for improving the precision of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to sepsis