Developing a murine model for Q fever

2011 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Coxiella burnetii is a gram-negative, intracellular bacterium that causes disease in humans and animals. The bacterium is commonly found in nature and humans and animals develop infections by inhaling infectious aerosols. Animal infections are generally asymptomatic, but the organism can induce abortion in pregnant sheep, goats, and cattle. Human infections, called Q fever, can induce mild to moderate disease, and lifelong infections may develop. Research to characterize this bacterium has been difficult due to its intracellular nature, and studying experimental infections in animal models has provided important information about the bacterial lifecycle and pathogenesis of the disease. The studies described here focused on evaluating a number of facets of C. burnetii infection in C57BL/6 inbred mice. Infections were determined through immunofluorescence detection, quantitative PCR assays, and histopathologic analysis. Mice developed similar histopathologic lesions as humans, specifically hepatitis, interstitial pneumonia, and myocarditis when infected by intranasal inoculation with the Nine Mile phase I strain of the bacterium. Detection of bacterial DNA in tissues and frequency of histopathologic lesions were highest two weeks after infection, with a significant decrease observed 42 and 59 days after infection. Mouse age and chemically induced immunosuppression with dexamethasone or cyclophosphamide were evaluated in C. burnetii infected mice to determine if these factors exacerbated disease. These studies revealed that neither age, (nine-weeks versus nine-months), or chemically induced immunosuppression (dexamethasone versus cyclophosphamide) significantly enhanced disease manifestations in infected mice. Additionally, antimicrobial treatment with doxycycline was evaluated in treating C. burnetii infections in mice. Such treatment reduced splenic pathology but did not significantly reduce the frequency of other histopathologic lesions or the amount of bacterial DNA detected in tissues. Overall, C57BL/6 mice infected by intranasal inoculation develop histopathologic lesions similar in many respects to what is observed in infected humans. However, disease manifestations were not exacerbated by host age or the immunosuppressive treatments investigated. Additionally, the dose of doxycycline received by mice was only marginally effective in treating bacterial infection in mice

Procunier Remodel Project

The Procunier Remodel Project report summarizes the preconstruction process for a single-family home remodel in the city of Walnut Creek. Key aspects of the report involve architectural design, structural design, interaction with the city, and interaction with the client

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http://www.ester.ee/record=b5150601*es

Análisis para la implementación de sistema urbano de drenaje sostenible para mitigación de riesgo por rebosamiento del alcantarillado en el barrio Santa Cecilia de la localidad de Suba

Esta investigación tiene como finalidad identificar y analizar la implementación de un sistema de drenaje sostenible (SUD) que funcione adecuadamente para las condiciones de inundabilidad que presenta el barrio Santa Cecilia en la Localidad de Suba en la Ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia. De acuerdo con lo anterior, esta zona presenta problemas con los sistemas de drenaje de aguas lluvia (sistema de alcantarillado), niveles de pendiente muy bajos en la zona que dificultan la correcta evacuación de los caudales y el aumento acelerado y no planificado en la urbanización del suelo provocando la reducción de la capacidad de absorción del terreno. Para abordar la problemática existente en el sector, el sistema contemplado corresponde a los pozos de infiltración que permiten el ingreso del agua proveniente de las precipitaciones a través de la capa superior o de una red de conductos al pozo, posteriormente se realiza el proceso de filtración para reducir contaminantes de la misma y finalmente pasa a infiltrase a través de las paredes del pozo hacia el terreno, posibilitando la recarga de acuíferos. De este modo, las características estructurales y de funcionabilidad hacen que este sistema sea el más adecuado para las condiciones y limitantes de la zona de investigación, orientado en mejorar las dinámicas, bienestar y condiciones de calidad de vida de los habitantes del sector. Así mismo, esta investigación se enfoca en el Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) número 11, el cual se denomina “Ciudades y comunidades sostenibles”.This investigation has purpose to identify and analyze the implementation of a sustainable drainage system (SUD) that works adequately for the flood conditions that the Santa Cecilia neighborhood presents in the town of Suba in the City of Bogotá, Colombia. In accordance with the above, this area has problems with the rainwater drainage systems (sewerage system), very low slope levels in the area that make it difficult to properly evacuate the flows and the accelerated and unplanned increase in the urbanization from the soil causing the reduction of the soil's absorption capacity. To address the existing problems in the sector, the system contemplated corresponds to infiltration wells that allow the entry of water from rainfall through the upper layer or a network of conduits to the well, then the filtration process is carried out to reduce pollutants from it and finally it infiltrates through the walls of the well into the ground, making it possible to recharge aquifers. In this way, the structural and functional characteristics make this system the most suitable for the conditions and limitations of the research area, aimed at improving the dynamics, well-being and quality of life conditions of the inhabitants of the sector. Likewise, this research focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 11, which is called “Sustainable cities and communities”

Corpus Callosal Abnormalities in Dogs

Background Corpus callosal abnormalities (CCA) in dogs have been only sporadically reported and are poorly characterized. Hypothesis/Objectives To describe the clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of dogs with CCA. Animals Fifteen client-owned dogs. Methods Retrospective study. Records of the contributing institutions were reviewed to identify dogs diagnosed with malformations affecting the corpus callosum (CC); cases in which the CCA was thought to be secondary were excluded. Results The most represented breeds were Staffordshire Bull Terriers (5/15) and Miniature Schnauzers (3/15; n = 3, 20%) and the mean age at time of presentation of 19 months (range 3–81 months). The clinical signs most commonly reported were adipsia/hypodipsia with associated hypernatremia (12/15), tremors (6/15), and seizures (6/15). Review of the MR images revealed that 10 dogs had absence of the rostral CC and hypoplasia of the caudal portion, 4 dogs had a diffusely hypoplastic and dysplastic CC, and 1 dog had a diffusely hypoplastic CC. In 14 cases, there was abnormal cortical development with fusion of the ventral frontal lobes and part of the diencephalon, indicating lobar holoprosencephaly. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Previous literature has mainly associated CCA with adipsia and only 12 of 15 dogs in the current series demonstrated this abnormality. There are different degrees of the malformation but in 10 dogs the rostral portion of the CC is most severely affected. Fourteen dogs have simultaneous fusion of the midline structures rostral to the CC; this region has several structures involved in thirst regulation and might explain this derangement.</p

Impact of in utero exposure to EtOH on corpus callosum development and paw preference in rats: protective effects of silymarin

BACKGROUND: Using a rat model we have found that the bioflavonoid silymarin (SY) ameliorates some of the negative consequences of in utero exposure to ethanol (EtOH). In the current study our aim was to determine if laterality preference and corpus callosum development were altered in rat offspring whose mothers were provided with a concomitant administration of SY with EtOH throughout gestation. METHODS: We provided pregnant Fisher/344 rats with liquid diets containing 35% ethanol derived calories (EDC) throughout the gestational period. A silymarin/phospholipid compound containing 29.8% silybin was co administered with EtOH to a separate experimental group. We tested the offspring for laterality preference at age 12 weeks. After testing the rats were sacrificed and their brains perfused for later corpus callosum extraction. RESULTS: We observed incomplete development of the splenium in the EtOH-only offspring. Callosal development was complete in all other treatment groups. Rats from the EtOH-only group displayed a left paw preference; whereas control rats were evenly divided between right and left paw preference. Inexplicably both SY groups were largely right paw preferring. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of SY to the EtOH liquid diet did confer some ameliorative effects upon the developing fetal rat brain

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Case Report of Neuropsychological, MRI, and EEG Assessment of Two Children

Neuropsychological, neuroanatomical, and electrophysiological data are presented on two subjects with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Both boys had intelligence quotients in the mentally deficient range and were found to have several other severe, specific deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormalities of the corpus callosum, and reductions in the size of the basal ganglia and thalamic structures. No focal abnormalities were noted in the electroencephalogram records, although the electroencephalograms of both boys were moderately abnormal for their age group. A multidisciplinary approach to the study of FAS, hopefully will lead to a more unified concept of the disorder and perhaps indicate specific areas of vulnerability

Developmental malformation of the corpus callosum: a review of typical callosal development and examples of developmental disorders with callosal involvement

This review provides an overview of the involvement of the corpus callosum (CC) in a variety of developmental disorders that are currently defined exclusively by genetics, developmental insult, and/or behavior. I begin with a general review of CC development, connectivity, and function, followed by discussion of the research methods typically utilized to study the callosum. The bulk of the review concentrates on specific developmental disorders, beginning with agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC)—the only condition diagnosed exclusively by callosal anatomy. This is followed by a review of several genetic disorders that commonly result in social impairments and/or psychopathology similar to AgCC (neurofibromatosis-1, Turner syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Williams yndrome, and fragile X) and two forms of prenatal injury (premature birth, fetal alcohol syndrome) known to impact callosal development. Finally, I examine callosal involvement in several common developmental disorders defined exclusively by behavioral patterns (developmental language delay, dyslexia, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and Tourette syndrome)