Uncovering adaptive versus acclimatized alterations in standard metabolic rate in Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus)

Standard metabolic rates (SMR) were measured in Brown Bullheads collected from two locations of the Detroit River, North America, representative of highly contaminated and uncontaminated areas. Measurements of SMR were completed within 10 d of fish collections (acute trials), for fish held in a common pond environment for 1 year (clearance trials) and for F1 generation fish raised in the pond environment (F1 study). SMRs were significantly higher (26%) in fish from the contaminated area during acute trials. Both populations showed large decreases in SMR (49 to 52 %) following clearance, however, differences between populations were still evident. There were no significant differences in SMRs between populations for F1 fish. This study demonstrates that Detroit River Brown Bullheads from contaminated areas have higher metabolic rates than fish from clean locations and this metabolic effect is retained for long durations after fish are placed in a common environment. The loss of metabolic differences in F1 offspring indicates that the observed differences in SMR were acclimation based and not adaptive or related to maternal effects

Immunopathology of human schistosomiasis mansoni: I. Immunomodulatory influences on T cell function

Cell mediated immune response was studied in patients with recent and chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection. Precultured peripheral mononuclear cells showed significantly higher responses to S. mansoni adult worm antigen (SAWA) when compared to fresh cell preparations. The addition of each patient serum to the precultured cells reactions to SAWA or recall antigens demonstrated a strong inhibitory serum action, which was also noted on allogeneic cells derived from healthy subjects. The CD4 subset was the main responding cell to SAWA being this reactivity highly suppressed by the presence of the monocyte macrophage accessory cells. We stressed the simultaneous inhibitory action of humoral and cellular factors on the specific cell response to S. mansoni

Regulation of penicillin-binding protein activity: description of a methicillin-inducible penicillin-binding protein in Staphylococcus aureus

The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of two methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (R2 and R1) were analyzed in cells grown in the absence and in the presence of methicillin. Under the former condition, strain R2 showed the typical PBP pattern of beta-lactam-susceptible strains, while strain R1 showed a markedly increased amount of PBP-3. Under the latter condition, on the other hand, a novel PBP (PBP-2a) located between PBP-2 and -3 was detected in strain R2, while strain R1 appeared to synthesize an even greater amount of PBP-3, in respect to untreated cells. Both R2 PBP-2a and R1 PBP-3 showed a very low affinity for methicillin, which was consistent with the MICs for the respective strains

Status update of the canary on-sky MOAO demonstrator

International audienceThe CANARY on-sky MOAO demonstrator is being integrated in the laboratory and a status update about its various components is presented here. We also discuss the alignment and calibration procedures used to improve system performance and overall stability. CANARY will be commissioned at the William Herschel Telescope at the end of September 2010

"No dejarse caer en cama": las mujeres y los servicios de salud Women and healthcare services in Mexico: the struggle to avoid becoming "bedridden"

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar, describir y analizar el ciclo de percepción-atención de salud de las mujeres de mediana edad de cinco regiones del país. Se realizó un análisis cualitativo de 24 entrevistas a profundidad, aplicadas a mujeres de mediana edad (40 a 60 años), procedentes de cinco regiones de México. Los hallazgos de la investigación muestran que la percepción de salud de las mujeres se caracteriza por "sentirse constantemente mal", sin embargo, no se "dejan caer en cama". La búsqueda de atención a la salud en todos los casos es tardía. Las consideran que su malestar no es suficientemente atendido, ni reciben la información necesaria para su cuidado. Al no encontrar la respuesta que ellas esperan de los servicios de salud, buscan sus propios caminos como la autorregulación de tratamientos y la automedicación. La experiencia de las mujeres, es un punto de referencia para conseguir que se reformulen algunos aspectos del modelo médico existente.<br>The objective of this study was to identify, describe, and analyze the perception of healthcare services by middle-aged women in five different regions of Mexico. The qualitative analysis was based on 24 in-depth interviews with middle-aged women (40-60 years) representing five different regions of the country. The women generally described their health as "constantly poor" but did not allow themselves to become "bedridden". The vast majority of the women postponed going to healthcare services. They considered their health problems insufficiently treated and did not receive enough information for proper self-care. When they did not receive the response they were looking for from healthcare services, women generally sought alternative solutions by regulating their own treatment regimes and self-medication. These experiences provide a strong reference for restructuring key aspects in the current medical model