Behavioural syndrome in a solitary predator is independent of body size and growth rate.

Models explaining behavioural syndromes often focus on state-dependency, linking behavioural variation to individual differences in other phenotypic features. Empirical studies are, however, rare. Here, we tested for a size and growth-dependent stable behavioural syndrome in the juvenile-stages of a solitary apex predator (pike, Esox lucius), shown as repeatable foraging behaviour across risk. Pike swimming activity, latency to prey attack, number of successful and unsuccessful prey attacks was measured during the presence/absence of visual contact with a competitor or predator. Foraging behaviour across risks was considered an appropriate indicator of boldness in this solitary predator where a trade-off between foraging behaviour and threat avoidance has been reported. Support was found for a behavioural syndrome, where the rank order differences in the foraging behaviour between individuals were maintained across time and risk situation. However, individual behaviour was independent of body size and growth in conditions of high food availability, showing no evidence to support the state-dependent personality hypothesis. The importance of a combination of spatial and temporal environmental variation for generating growth differences is highlighted

Immunophenotypic features of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes from mammary carcinomas in female dogs associated with prognostic factors and survival rates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The immune system plays an important role in the multifactorial biologic system during the development of neoplasias. However, the involvement of the inflammatory response in the promotion/control of malignant cells is still controversial, and the cell subsets and the mechanisms involved are poorly investigated. The goal of this study was to characterize the clinical-pathological status and the immunophenotyping profile of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and their association with the animal survival rates in canine mammary carcinomas.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-one animals with mammary carcinomas, classified as carcinomas in mixed tumors-MC-BMT = 31 and carcinomas-MC = 20 were submitted to systematic clinical-pathological analysis (tumor size; presence of lymph node and pulmonary metastasis; clinical stage; histological grade; inflammatory distribution and intensity as well as the lymphocytic infiltrate intensity) and survival rates. Twenty-four animals (MC-BMT = 16 and MC = 8) were elected to the immunophenotypic study performed by flow cytometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data analysis demonstrated that clinical stage II-IV and histological grade was I more frequent in MC-BMT as compared to MC. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the intensity of inflammation (moderate/intense) and the proportion of CD4⁺(≥ 66.7%) or CD8⁺T-cells (<33.3%) were not associated with worse survival rate. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only lymphocytic infiltrate intensity ≥ 600 (<it>P </it>= 0.02) remained as independent prognostic factor. Despite the clinical manifestation, the lymphocytes represented the predominant cell type in the tumor infiltrate. The percentage of T-cells was higher in animals with MC-BMT without metastasis, while the percentage of B-lymphocytes was greater in animals with metastasized MC-BMT (<it>P </it>< 0.05). The relative percentage of CD4⁺T-cells was significantly greater in metastasized tumors (both MC-BMT and MC), (<it>P </it>< 0.05) while the proportion of CD8⁺T-cells was higher in MC-BMT without metastasis. Consequently, the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ratio was significantly increased in both groups with metastasis. Regardless of the tumor type, the animals with high proportions of CD4⁺and low CD8⁺T-cells had decreased survival rates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The intensity of lymphocytic infiltrate and probably the relative abundance of the CD4⁺and CD8⁺T-lymphocytes may represent important survival prognostic biomarkers for canine mammary carcinomas.</p

An analysis of risk factors for arterial hypertension in adolescent students

The objective of the study was to evaluate some risk factors for increases in systemic arterial blood pressure. This transversal study was carried out with 145 individuals from 12 to18 years of age at two state schools in the city of Pico in the state of Piauí in Brazil. The majority were female (62.8%). The median age was 14.8 years (±3.19). It was ascertained that 13 of the subjects (9.0%) were overweight [CI% 73.0-86.0]. Elevations in waist circumference were found in 31 (21.4%) and 76 (52.4%) had elevated arterial blood levels. There was no statistically-significant association between the above-cited risk factors and gender (p=0.088; 0.999; 0.204, respectively). However, 44.8% of the adolescents had at least one risk factor associated with arterial hypertension; 15.9% had two, and 2.1% had three. The study confirms the influence of the risk factors on arterial pressure values among adolescents. Being aware of these factors means that nurses can intervene with health education measures.El objetivo fue evaluar de los algunos factores de riesgo para aumento de los niveles de presión arterial sistémica. Estudio transversal con 145 personas de 12 a 18 años de dos escuelas públicas de la ciudad de Picos-PI. La mayoría eran mujeres (62,8%). La edad media fue de 14,8 años (±3.19). Se encontró 13 (9,0%) tenían exceso de peso [IC% 73,0 a 86,0]. Elevaciones de la circunferencia de cintura se encontraron en 31 (21,4%) y 76 (52,4%) con niveles elevados de presión arterial. No hubo asociación estadísticamente significativa de los factores de riesgo mencionados anteriormente investigado con el sexo (p=0,088, 0,999, 0,204, respectivamente). Sin embargo, 44,8% de los jóvenes tenían al menos un factor; 15,9% dos y 2,1% tres factores relacionados con la hipertensión. Confirma la influencia de factores de riesgo en los valores de presión arterial en la juventud. Delante del conocimiento de estos factores, la enfermería podrá intervenir con medidas de educación en salud.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar alguns fatores de risco para aumento dos níveis de pressão arterial sistêmica. Trata-se de estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 145 indivíduos de 12 a 18 anos, de duas escolas públicas da cidade de Picos, PI. A maioria era composta por mulheres (62,8%). A média de idade foi de 14,8 anos (±3,19). Verificou-se que 13 (9,0%) apresentavam excesso de peso [IC% 73,0-86,0]. Elevações da circunferência abdominal foram encontradas em 31 (21,4%), e 76 (52,4%) tinham elevação nos níveis de pressão arterial. Não houve associação estatisticamente significante dos fatores de risco investigados citados anteriormente com o sexo (p=0,088; 0,999; 0,204, respectivamente). No entanto, 44,8% dos adolescentes tinham pelo menos um fator, 15,9% dois e 2,1%, três fatores associados indicativos de hipertensão arterial. Confirma-se a influência de fatores de risco sobre os valores da pressão arterial em adolescentes. Diante do conhecimento desses fatores, a enfermagem poderá intervir com medidas de educação em saúde

Three-Dimensional In Vivo Imaging of the Murine Liver: A Micro-Computed Tomography-Based Anatomical Study

Various murine models are currently used to study acute and chronic pathological processes of the liver, and the efficacy of novel therapeutic regimens. The increasing availability of high-resolution small animal imaging modalities presents researchers with the opportunity to precisely identify and describe pathological processes of the liver. To meet the demands, the objective of this study was to provide a three-dimensional illustration of the macroscopic anatomical location of the murine liver lobes and hepatic vessels using small animal imaging modalities. We analysed micro-CT images of the murine liver by integrating additional information from the published literature to develop comprehensive illustrations of the macroscopic anatomical features of the murine liver and hepatic vasculature. As a result, we provide updated three-dimensional illustrations of the macroscopic anatomy of the murine liver and hepatic vessels using micro-CT. The information presented here provides researchers working in the field of experimental liver disease with a comprehensive, easily accessable overview of the macroscopic anatomy of the murine liver

Burden and modifications in life from the perspective of caregivers for patients after stroke

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the impact that caring has on a member of the family caring for a patient after a cerebrovascular accident, correlating life modifications and mental suffering with the perceived burden. METHOD: a cross-sectional, quantitative study, undertaken in January-April 2010 in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. RESULT: 61 individuals were investigated, monitored by three hospitals' Home Care Program. Data collection was through interviews for identifying life changes, and through the application of three scales for investigating perceived burden, mental state and mental suffering. Respectively these were the Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Self Reported Questionnaire (SRQ). The majority of the carers were female, married, and the children of the stroke patients. The average age was 48.2 years (±12.4). The most-cited life modifications referred to the daily routine, to leisure activities, and to exhaustion or tiredness. Regarding burden, the dimensions of General tension, Isolation and Disappointment stood out. It was ascertained that overload was more severe when the carer presented more symptoms of psychological distress, in the absence of a secondary carer, and when the principal carers reported perceiving changes in their bodies and health. CONCLUSION: an association between burden and the carer's mental state was not observed. Understanding the care, through analysis of the burden and of the knowledge of the biopsychosocial situation will provide support for the nurse's work in reducing the overload for family caregivers.OBJETIVO: analizar el impacto del cuidar para el cuidador familiar de paciente después de accidente vascular cerebral, correlacionando modificaciones de vida y sufrimiento psíquico con la sobrecarga percibida. MÉTODO: estudio transversal, cuantitativo, realizado de enero a abril de 2010, en Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. RESULTADO: se investigaron 61 individuos, acompañados por el Programa de Servicio Domiciliar de tres hospitales. La colecta de los datos ocurrió mediante entrevista para identificar modificaciones de vida, y con la aplicación de tres escalas para investigar la sobrecarga percibida, estado mental y sufrimiento psíquico. Son ellas, respectivamente: Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), Mini Examen del Estado Mental (MEEM) y Self Reported Questionnaire (SRQ). Los cuidadores, en su mayoría, eran del sexo femenino, casados (as) e hijo (as) de los pacientes después del AVC. Edad Media de 48,2 años (±12,4). Las modificaciones de vida más citadas fueron referentes a la rutina diaria, a las actividades de ocio y agotamiento o cansancio. En cuanto a la sobrecarga, se destacaron las dimensiones Tensión general, Aislamiento y Decepción. Se verificó mayor sobrecarga cuanto más síntomas de sufrimiento psíquico el cuidador presentase, en la ausencia de cuidador secundario y cuando los cuidadores principales relataron percibir modificación en el cuerpo y en la salud. CONCLUSIÓN: no fue observada asociación de la sobrecarga con el estado mental del cuidador. Entender la coyuntura del cuidado, mediante análisis del recargo de trabajo, y del conocimiento de la situación biopsicosocial, suministrará subsidios para la actuación del enfermero para reducir la carga generada para los cuidadores familiares.OBJETIVO: analisar o impacto do cuidar para o cuidador familiar de paciente após acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), correlacionando modificações de vida e sofrimento psíquico com a sobrecarga percebida. MÉTODO: estudo transversal, quantitativo, realizado de janeiro a abril de 2010, em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. RESULTADO: investigaram-se 61 indivíduos, acompanhados pelo Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar (PAD), de três hospitais. A coleta dos dados ocorreu mediante entrevista para identificar modificações de vida, e com a aplicação de três escalas para investigar sobrecarga percebida, estado mental e sofrimento psíquico. São elas, respectivamente: Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e Self Reported Questionnaire (SRQ). Os cuidadores, na sua maioria, eram do sexo feminino, casados(as) e filho(as) dos pacientes após AVC. A média de idade era de 48,2 anos (±12,4). As modificações de vida mais citadas foram referentes à rotina diária, às atividades de lazer e esgotamento ou cansaço. Quanto à sobrecarga, destacaram-se as dimensões tensão geral, isolamento e decepção. Verificou-se maior sobrecarga quanto mais sintomas de sofrimento psíquico o cuidador apresentasse, na ausência de cuidador secundário e quando os cuidadores principais relataram perceber modificação no corpo e na saúde. CONCLUSÃO: não foi observada associação da sobrecarga com o estado mental do cuidador. Entender a conjuntura do cuidado, mediante análise da sobrecarga de trabalho, e do conhecimento da situação biopsicossocial fornecerá subsídios para a atuação do enfermeiro para reduzir a carga gerada para os cuidadores familiares