Resolvin rvd2 reduces hypothalamic inflammation and rescues mice from diet-induced obesity

Diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation is an important mechanism leading to dysfunction of neurons involved in controlling body mass. Studies have shown that polyunsaturated fats can reduce hypothalamic inflammation. Here, we evaluated the presence and function of RvD2, a resolvin produced from docosahexaenoic acid, in the hypothalamus of mice. Methods: Male Swiss mice were fed either chow or a high-fat diet. RvD2 receptor and synthetic enzymes were evaluated by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. RvD2 was determined by mass spectrometry. Dietary and pharmacological approaches were used to modulate the RvD2 system in the hypothalamus, and metabolic phenotype consequences were determined. Results: All enzymes involved in the synthesis of RvD2 were detected in the hypothalamus and were modulated in response to the consumption of dietary saturated fats, leading to a reduction of hypothalamic RvD2. GPR18, the receptor for RvD2, which was detected in POMC and NPY neurons, was also modulated by dietary fats. The substitution of saturated by polyunsaturated fats in the diet resulted in increased hypothalamic RvD2, which was accompanied by reduced body mass and improved glucose tolerance. The intracerebroventricular treatment with docosahexaenoic acid resulted in increased expression of the RvD2 synthetic enzymes, increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and improved metabolic phenotype. Finally, intracerebroventricular treatment with RvD2 resulted in reduced adiposity, improved glucose tolerance and increased hypothalamic expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: Thus, RvD2 is produced in the hypothalamus, and its receptor and synthetic enzymes are modulated by dietary fats. The improved metabolic outcomes of RvD2 make this substance an attractive approach to treat obesity14511

Adaptabilidade, estabilidade e resistência a patógenos em genótipos de feijoeiro

Resumo:O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resistência de genótipos de feijoeiro aos principais patógenos da cultura, bem como a adaptabilidade e a estabilidade de produção de grãos desses genótipos. Avaliaram-se 26 genótipos de feijoeiro quanto à resistência a Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseolie Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli, por meio de inoculação, em laboratório, e em 19 ensaios de valor de cultivo e uso (VCU), em diferentes locais do Estado de São Paulo, nas safras das "águas", "seca" e "inverno", durante os anos agrícolas 2011, 2012 e 2013. Dezoito genótipos foram considerados resistentes: sete deles a C. lindemuthianum, sete a F. oxysporumf. sp. phaseolie quatro a X. axonopodispv. phaseoli. A reação de resistência aos patógenos está associada à estabilidade dos genótipos. Por meio das análises GGE biplot, foi possível identificar genótipos com adaptabilidade e estabilidade superiores às das testemunhas, nos dois grupos de tegumento avaliados, em todas as épocas de semeadura

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

Study of doubly strange systems using stored antiprotons

Bound nuclear systems with two units of strangeness are still poorly known despite their importance for many strong interaction phenomena. Stored antiprotons beams in the GeV range represent an unparalleled factory for various hyperon-antihyperon pairs. Their outstanding large production probability in antiproton collisions will open the floodgates for a series of new studies of systems which contain two or even more units of strangeness at the P‾ANDA experiment at FAIR. For the first time, high resolution γ-spectroscopy of doubly strange ΛΛ-hypernuclei will be performed, thus complementing measurements of ground state decays of ΛΛ-hypernuclei at J-PARC or possible decays of particle unstable hypernuclei in heavy ion reactions. High resolution spectroscopy of multistrange Ξ−-atoms will be feasible and even the production of Ω−-atoms will be within reach. The latter might open the door to the |S|=3 world in strangeness nuclear physics, by the study of the hadronic Ω−-nucleus interaction. For the first time it will be possible to study the behavior of Ξ‾+ in nuclear systems under well controlled conditions

Using human induced pluripotent stem cells to treat retinal disease

AbstractThe eye is an ideal target for exploiting the potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology in order to understand disease pathways and explore novel therapeutic strategies for inherited retinal disease. The aim of this article is to map the pathway from state-of-the art laboratory-based discoveries to realising the translational potential of this emerging technique. We describe the relevance and routes to establishing hiPSCs in selected models of human retinal disease. Additionally, we define pathways for applying hiPSC technology in treating currently incurable, progressive and blinding retinal disease

Fat extraction from fleshings - optimization of operating conditions

Fat from fleshings is an excellent source of energy since it is composed of glycerides, fatty acids and glycerol. The present work aims to optimize the operating conditions of fat extraction from fleshings. Animal fat was obtained after thermal treatment of fleshings in a stainless steel batch reactor using different operating conditions (100T155 ºC; 1P5.5 bar, t= 2 h, r= 1000 rpm). The fat containing phases were extracted in a heated Soxhlet using n-hexane and ethanol to recover the fat from the solid residue. In addition, 6 M HCl acid was added to the remaining solid and heated to boiling conditions for 2 h to further extract fat that is encapsulated in the tissues of the fleshing. The best conditions of fat extraction were obtained at 155 ºC during 2 h and 1000 rpm that generated a pressure of 5.5 bar inside the batch reactor. It was also found that significantly higher amount of fat could be obtained at the operating conditions mentioned (50 wt. % on dry basis), sparring chemical treatments by using a 6 M HCl acid for additional fat extraction. Finally, this approach allowed to significantly reduce the environmental impact of solid waste, decreasing also the costs associated with disposal, while contributing to the circular economy of the tanning sector.The authors would like to acknowledge ANI (Innovation Agency) for the support of Biofat project (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-038457) by Portugal 2020 Programme. Fleshings were supplied by the Centre for the Portuguese Leather Industry (CTIC — Centro Tecnológico das Indústrias do Couro) collected at Demoscore, a Portuguese tannery. This work was financially supported by: Base Funding – UIDB/04730/2020 of Centre for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology, CIETI – funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio