Prolactin signaling through the short isoform of the mouse prolactin receptor regulates DNA binding of specific transcription factors, often with opposite effects in different reproductive issues

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been well established that prolactin (PRL) signals through the long form of its receptor (PRL-RL) and activates the Jak/Stat pathway for transcription of PRL target genes. However, signaling pathways mediated through the short PRL-R isoform (PRL-RS) remains controversial. Our recent finding that PRL signaling through PRL-RS represses two transcription factors critical for follicular development lead us to examine other putative PRL/PRL-RS target transcription factors in the decidua and ovary, two well-known target tissues of PRL action in reproduction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this investigation we used mice expressing PRL-RS on a PRL-R knockout background and a combo protein/DNA array to study the transcription factors regulated by PRL through PRL-RS only.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that PRL activation of the PRL-RS receptor either stimulates or inhibits the DNA binding activity of a substantial number of transcription factors in the decidua as well as ovary. We found few transcription factors to be similarly regulated in both tissues, while most transcription factors are oppositely regulated by PRL in the decidua and ovary. In addition, some transcription factors are regulated by PRL only in the ovary or only in the decidua. Several of these transcription factors are involved in physiological pathways known to be regulated by PRL while others are novel.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results clearly indicate that PRL does signal through PRL-RS in the decidua as well as the ovary, independently of PRL-RL, and activates/represses transcription factors in a tissue specific manner. This is the first report showing PRL/PRL-RS regulation of specific transcription factors. Many of these transcription factors were not previously known to be PRL targets, suggesting novel physiological roles for this hormone.</p

Morphometry, Topography and Arterial Supply of the Thyroid Gland in Brazilian Shorthair Cats

 Background: Thyroid gland diseases are the most common endocrinopathies in feline practice. Diagnosis and surgical treatment must base on solid anatomical knowledge about the gland size, localization, and blood supply. However, some textbooks provide a general anatomical description of the thyroid gland of domestic carnivores. Thus, specific details of the feline gland are missing. The present study aimed to investigate the dimensions, topography, and arterial supply of the thyroid gland in Brazilian shorthair cats and, therefore, provide additional data to diagnose and treat feline thyroid diseases.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Thirty Brazilian shorthair cats formalin-fixed cadavers (15 male and 15 female) were injected with red-stained latex solution by a canula in the thoracic aorta. The necropsy unit of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro donated the specimens. The study included only adult animals with no history of thyroid disease. After the fixation period, the cadavers were dissected to investigate the measurements (length, width at cranial and caudal poles, and thickness), topography, and in situ arterial supply of the thyroid lobes. The mean measurements of the length, cranial pole width, caudal pole width, and thickness in the right lobe were 19.39 ± 3.10 mm, 5.36 ± 1.40 mm, 3.67 ± 0.93 mm, and 1.30 ± 0.29 mm, respectively; and 20.29 ± 3.35 mm, 4.85 ± 1.58 mm, 3.88 ± 0.91 mm, 1.64 ± 0.65 mm in the left lobe, respectively. There were no statistical differences (P &gt; 0.05) in the comparison of the measures between sexes or antimers (sides). Pearson's linear correlation detected a positive, moderate (r = 0.55), and significant (P &lt; 0.05) correlation between the right and left lobe lengths. In 70% of the cats, both left and right lobes had the cranial poles located at the same level. Typically, the lobes extended between the first to the eighth tracheal ring. However, the cranial pole of some lobes located as cranially as the cricoid cartilage level, and the caudal pole as caudally as the 12th tracheal ring. Fifty-six percent of the cats had a ventrally located isthmus. In all the sampling, one single thyroid artery emerged as a branch of the common carotid artery and provided branches directly to the thyroid lobe, isthmus and the adjacent muscles and esophagus.Discussion: Besides establishing average dimensions of normal thyroid lobes in Brazilian shorthair cats, this study detected no significant difference between the average measurements of right and left lobes. Also, a positive linear correlation between the length and width of the right and left lobes became evident. Therefore, the practitioner must consider suspicious any length asymmetry between right and left thyroid lobes until further endocrine test proves otherwise. Most of the cats had the right and left thyroid lobe positioned at the same transversal level; however, positional asymmetries are not uncommon. Unlike dogs, Brazilian shorthair cats have only a single artery to supply each lobe: the thyroid artery. In a feline thyroidectomy, the surgeon must avoid blindly ligating the thyroid artery since this vessel also provided numerous branches to adjacent muscles and esophagus. In a bilateral thyroidectomy, the ventral region between lobes should be thoroughly inspected for the common presence of an isthmus. Sometimes, the surgeon may need to extend the incision caudally beyond the 12th tracheal ring level to visualize the gland tissue entirely.Keywords: endocrinology, feline anatomy, morphometrics, thyroidectomy

JOGOS DE EMPRESAS E A GAMIFICAÇÃO DO ENSINO: POTENCIALIDADES E LIMITAÇÕES.

Objetiva-se, neste trabalho, encontrar as potencialidades e limitações relacionadas a aplicação do método jogos de empresa. Para tanto, foram feitas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 11 docentes de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior Pública, do curso de Gestão Comercial situada no Triângulo Mineiro. Alguns resultados como simulação da realidade, melhor absorção do conteúdo e ligação entre teoria e prática puderam ser observados. As limitações estão vinculadas, principalmente, a falta de tempo e recursos para sua utilização

Duplikacija stražnje šuplje vene i bubrežnih vena u brazilske kratkodlake mačke - prikaz slučaja

The caudal vena cava in carnivores is the blood drainage pathway, originating from the pelvis and pelvic limbs, and entering the right atrium. Caudal vena cava duplication has rarely been reported in small animals. This report aims to describe a case of duplicity of the caudal vena cava and renal vein variation in a female feline corpse of a Brazilian shorthaired cat approximately 3 years of age, with the focus on the possible clinical and surgical implications of this anatomical variation. It was subsequently preserved in 10% formalin, and its vascular system was injected with colored S-65 Petrolatex. During the dissection of the abdominal region, the presence of a double caudal vena cava and two renal veins in both kidneys was observed. While uncommon in cats, caudal vena cava duplication should be differentiated from other vascular anomalies when planning surgeries and to avoid misdiagnoses.U mesojeda stražnja šuplja vena odvodi krv iz zdjelice i stražnjih udova u lijevu pretklijetku. Duplikacija stražnje šuplje vene u malih je životinja rijetko opisivana. Cilj ovoga rada jest prikazati duplikaciju stražnje šuplje vene i varijacije bubrežne vene u brazilske kratkodlake mačke, ženke dobi oko tri godine, s naglaskom na njihove moguće kliničke i kirurške značajke. Lešina je pohranjena u 10 %-postotnom formalinu, a u krvožilni je sustav injektiran obojeni S-65 Petrolatex. Tijekom otvaranja trbušne šupljine uočene su dvostruke stražnje šuplje vene i dvije bubrežne vene u oba bubrega. Budući da se dvostruka stražnja šuplja vena rijetko nalazi u mačaka, u planiranju kirurških zahvata treba je razlikovati od drugih krvožilnih anomalija kako bi se izbjegla pogrešna dijagnoza

Can luteal regression be reversed?

The corpus luteum is an endocrine gland whose limited lifespan is hormonally programmed. This debate article summarizes findings of our research group that challenge the principle that the end of function of the corpus luteum or luteal regression, once triggered, cannot be reversed. Overturning luteal regression by pharmacological manipulations may be of critical significance in designing strategies to improve fertility efficacy

The celiac ganglion modulates LH-induced inhibition of androstenedione release in late pregnant rat ovaries

BACKGROUND: Although the control of ovarian production of steroid hormones is mainly of endocrine nature, there is increasing evidence that the nervous system also influences ovarian steroidogenic output. The purpose of this work was to study whether the celiac ganglion modulates, via the superior ovarian nerve, the anti-steroidogenic effect of LH in the rat ovary. Using mid- and late-pregnant rats, we set up to study: 1) the influence of the noradrenergic stimulation of the celiac ganglion on the ovarian production of the luteotropic hormone androstenedione; 2) the modulatory effect of noradrenaline at the celiac ganglion on the anti-steroidogenic effect of LH in the ovary; and 3) the involvement of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters released in the ovary upon the combination of noradrenergic stimulation of the celiac ganglion and LH treatment of the ovary. METHODS: The ex vivo celiac ganglion-superior ovarian nerve-ovary integrated system was used. This model allows studying in vitro how direct neural connections from the celiac ganglion regulate ovarian steroidogenic output. The system was incubated in buffer solution with the ganglion and the ovary located in different compartments and linked by the superior ovarian nerve. Three experiments were designed with the addition of: 1) noradrenaline in the ganglion compartment; 2) LH in the ovarian compartment; and 3) noradrenaline and LH in the ganglion and ovarian compartments, respectively. Rats of 15, 19, 20 and 21 days of pregnancy were used, and, as an end point, the concentration of the luteotropic hormone androstenedione was measured in the ovarian compartment by RIA at various times of incubation. For some of the experimental paradigms the concentration of various catecholamines (dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) was also measured in the ovarian compartment by HPLC. RESULTS: The most relevant result concerning the action of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion was found on day 21 of pregnancy resulting in the inhibition of androstenedione release from the ovarian compartment. In addition on day 15 of pregnancy, LH placed in the ovarian compartment led to an inhibition of the release of androstenedione, and this inhibitory effect was further reinforced by the joint action of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion and LH in the ovary. The levels of catecholamines in the ovarian compartment showed differences among the experiments; of significance, the joint treatment of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion and LH in the ovary resulted in a remarkable increase in the ovarian levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline when compared to the effect achieved by either one of the compounds added alone. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the noradrenergic stimulation of the celiac ganglion reinforces the LH-induced inhibition of androstenedione production by the ovary of late pregnant rats, and that this effect is associated with marked changes in the release of catecholamines in the ovary

O TURISMO E A FALTA D’ÁGUA EM SÃO FRANCISCO DO SUL, SC

O problema no saneamento básico da cidade de São Francisco do Sul é algo recorrente, ocorrendo todos os anos, tornando se mais presente na praia da Enseada. O objetivo da pesquisa é saber como os moradores da praia da Enseada, sentem se diante a falta d’água na alta temporada. A pesquisa utilizou se do Modelo de Doxey para identificar a satisfação dos moradores em relação ao turismo. Conclui se que ap esar dos moradores apontarem o turismo como um dos motivos da falta d’água. A pesquisa aponta que a insatisfação dos entrevistados se deve à falta de infraestrutura da cidade e não ao fluxo turístico. &nbsp; &nbsp

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe

Event-shape engineering for inclusive spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV

Peer reviewe