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2.
J Chem Phys ; 150(19): 194307, 2019 May 21.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31117791

RESUMEN

We report experimental measurements of the absolute total cross sections (TCSs) for electron scattering from 1-butanol at impact energies in the range 80-400 eV. Those measurements were conducted by considering the attenuation of a collimated electron beam, at a given energy, through a gas cell containing 1-butanol, at a given pressure, and through application of the Beer-Lambert law to derive the required TCS. We also report theoretical results using the Independent-Atom Model with Screening Corrected Additivity Rule and Interference approach. Those results include the TCS, the elastic integral cross section (ICS), the ionization total ICS, and the sum over all excitation process ICSs with agreement at the TCS level between our measured and calculated results being encouraging.

3.
J Dairy Sci ; 102(4): 3531-3543, 2019 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30738677

RESUMEN

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusions in nonlactating heifers on (1) the systemic proinflammatory state as measured by biomarkers in blood and plasma, and (2) endometrial gene expression of candidate transcripts on d 15 of gestation. Our hypothesis was that target transcripts related to a major functional group would be negatively modified in the preimplantation endometrium by the LPS treatments. In the first experiment (n = 13), a systemic proinflammatory state [defined as increased plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and haptoglobin for 2 wk] was established using 2 different sequential LPS infusion protocols. In the second experiment, heifers (n = 22; 11 mo of age) had their time of ovulation synchronized by a modified Ovsynch protocol and were enrolled in 1 of 2 treatments: control (CON; n = 11), which received sterile saline solution i.v., and LPS treatment (LPS; n = 11), submitted to repeated i.v. LPS injections (0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 µg/kg) starting 2 d after artificial insemination (AI; d 0) and then every other day until d 15 after AI. At each LPS injection, rectal temperatures were measured hourly for 6 h. Blood samples were collected from d -1 to d 13 for analyses of progesterone, TNF-α, and haptoglobin in plasma, along with white blood cell (WBC) count and differential analysis. On d 15, endometrium tissue biopsies were taken and kept at -80°C until quantitative real-time PCR analysis of 30 target transcripts related to the immune system, adhesion molecules, and endometrium receptivity. Data were checked for normality and analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA using PROC UNIVARIATE and PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). After each LPS injection, temperature was greater in the first 4 h in the LPS group compared with CON. Both TNF-α and haptoglobin increased in the LPS treatment with a significant treatment by day interaction. Total leukocyte count did not differ between treatments, but the differential count increased for neutrophils, band cells, and monocytes, and decreased for lymphocytes and eosinophils in LPS compared with CON. Progesterone concentrations in plasma did not differ between treatments during the experimental period. Out of 30 target genes analyzed, 3 transcripts were differentially expressed: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO; fold-change = 0.48) and pentraxin-3 (PTX3; fold-change = 0.38) were downregulated, whereas myxovirus-resistance protein (MX1; fold-change = 2.85) was upregulated in the LPS group. Sequential LPS injections were able to induce a prolonged systemic proinflammatory state, but effects on gene expression were limited to transcripts associated with the immune system. These results suggest that a mechanism for subfertility is linked to a proinflammatory state in dairy heifers.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Bovinos/inmunología , Endometrio/metabolismo , Lipopolisacáridos/inmunología , Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica/veterinaria , Animales , Bovinos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Inseminación Artificial , Ovulación , Progesterona/sangre , Síndrome de Respuesta Inflamatoria Sistémica/inmunología
4.
J Dairy Sci ; 101(11): 10440-10455, 2018 Nov.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30172395

RESUMEN

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of 2 intramammary infusions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory and reproductive parameters and endometrial gene expression of lactating Holstein cows. At 35 ± 7 d in milk, 20 cows were submitted to a Double Ovsynch program and randomly assigned to control (n = 11) and LPS (n = 9) treatments. Cows from the LPS treatment received 2 intramammary infusions of 25 µg of LPS after morning milking on d 5 and 10 post-AI, whereas control cows were infused with only saline. Blood samples were taken and ultrasound scanning of the ovaries was performed during the entire study before and after AI to determine haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and progesterone concentrations as well as response to the hormonal protocol and corpus luteum diameter. Milk yield was evaluated and samples were taken for somatic cell count at 0, 10, 24, 34, and 96 h relative to each infusion. Rumen-reticular temperature was recorded using a rumen-reticular bolus logger and summarized hourly. On d 15 post-AI, uterine flushing for conceptus recovery and endometrial biopsies were performed. Samples of endometrium from cows with positive embryo recovery (control = 5; LPS = 6) were submitted to mRNA extraction and quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis of 96 target genes. Haptoglobin concentrations in plasma were greater for LPS treatment (control = 0.24 ± 0.07, LPS = 0.89 ± 0.06 optical density), but tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were similar (control = 0.67 ± 0.11, LPS = 0.46 ± 0.11 ng/mL) between treatments. Lipopolysaccharide reduced milk yield after treatment (control = 34.3 ± 1.5, LPS = 29.4 ± 1.6 kg/d), whereas somatic cell count (log) was greater in LPS-treated cows until 34 h after infusions (control = 2.3 ± 0.1, LPS = 3.3 ± 0.1 cells/mL of milk). Rumen-reticular temperature of LPS cows was elevated between 5 and 10 h after each infusion compared with control cows (control = 39.5 ± 0.1, LPS = 40.1 ± 0.1°C). Progesterone concentration after AI was unaffected by treatment or pregnancy status as well as corpus luteum diameter and conceptus length on d 15. Lipopolysaccharide treatment altered the expression of 13 key genes in the endometrium (mostly upregulated), whereas another 17 tended to be modulated. Modified gene expression included genes related to immune response (PTX3 = 2.34-fold increase; IL6 = 3.42-fold increase; and TCN1 = 2.52-fold increase), adhesion molecules (CADM3 = 1.93-fold increase; MMP19 = 1.49-fold increase; EMMPRIN = 1.20-fold increase; SELL = 1.91-fold increase), Wnt signaling pathway (WNT2, FZD4, and FZD7, all <1.5-fold increase), and interferon-stimulated genes (BMP15 = 0.27-fold decrease; ISG15 = 2.17-fold increase, and MX2 = 2.23-fold increase). In summary, intramammary infusions of LPS were able to trigger an inflammatory response with no effect on corpus luteum diameter and concentration of progesterone in plasma. However, a limited but important set of modulations in the endometrium gene expression at d 15 of gestation was found.


Asunto(s)
Regulación de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Lipopolisacáridos/administración & dosificación , Mastitis Bovina/inducido químicamente , Leche/metabolismo , Reproducción , Animales , Bovinos , Cuerpo Lúteo/fisiología , Endometrio/fisiología , Femenino , Inflamación/inducido químicamente , Lactancia , Embarazo , Progesterona/sangre , Distribución Aleatoria , Rumen/fisiología , Útero/fisiología
5.
Int J Obes (Lond) ; 41(1): 71-75, 2017 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27677617

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the nutritional quality of food products marketed at children, with and without nutrient claims, using two different approaches. METHODS: Analyses were performed based on a data set with food composition and labelling data from every packaged food marketed at children sold in a major Brazilian supermarket (n=535). Foods were classified as 'healthier' and 'less healthy' according to the UK/Ofcom nutrient profile model and to the NOVA classification based on the level of food processing. Pearson's χ2 test was used to compare proportions between models. Agreement was assessed using Cohen's κ-statistic (P<0.05). RESULTS: The NOVA model was stricter than the UK/Ofcom model, classifying more products as 'less healthy' (91.4%) compared with the nutrient profile-based model (75.0%; P<0.001). Agreement between models was 79.4% (k=0.30), because 72.9% (n=390) of products were categorised as 'less healthy' by both models, and 6.5% (n=35) as 'healthier'. Half of the food products marketed at children from the database (270; 50.5%) bore nutrient claims. From these products with nutrient claims, 95.9% (92.8-98.0) were classified as 'less healthy' by the NOVA model, whereas this percentage was 74.1% (68.4-79.2) according to the UK/Ofcom model (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The high number of foods with low nutritional quality being marketed at children via product packaging and nutrient claims should be of concern to policy makers wanting to improve children's diets and to tackle childhood obesity. The implementation of nutritional quality criteria to ensure that foods targeted at children should be eligible to bear nutrient claims on their labels could avoid a situation where claims mask the overall nutritional status of a food.


Asunto(s)
Etiquetado de Alimentos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Embalaje de Alimentos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Mercadotecnía/legislación & jurisprudencia , Política Nutricional , Valor Nutritivo , Brasil , Niño , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales Infantiles , Conducta de Elección , Estudios Transversales , Análisis de los Alimentos , Etiquetado de Alimentos/ética , Etiquetado de Alimentos/normas , Adhesión a Directriz , Promoción de la Salud , Humanos , Mercadotecnía/ética , Mercadotecnía/normas
6.
J Dairy Sci ; 100(6): 5005-5018, 2017 Jun.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28434750

RESUMEN

The aim of this study was to compare 2 reproductive programs for the management of first postpartum artificial insemination (AI) based on activity monitors and timed AI, as well as to determine the effect of health-related factors on detection and expression of estrus. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 918) from 2 commercial farms were enrolled. Estrous cycles of all cows were presynchronized with 2 injections of PGF2α administered 2 wk apart. Treatments were (1) first insemination performed by timed AI (TAI) and (2) first insemination based upon the detection of estrus by activity monitors (ACT; Heatime, SCR Engineering, Netanya, Israel) after the presynchronization, whereas cows not inseminated by the detection of estrus were enrolled in the Ovsynch protocol. Body condition score (BCS; scale 1 to 5), hock score (scale: 1 to 4), gait score (scale: 1 to 4), and corpus luteum presence detected by ovarian ultrasonography were recorded twice during the presynchronization. On the ACT treatment, 50.5% of cows were inseminated based on detected estrus, whereas 83.2% of the cows on the TAI treatment were inseminated appropriately after the timed AI protocol. Pregnancy per AI did not differ by treatment (30.8 vs. 33.5% for ACT and TAI, respectively). Success of pregnancy was affected by parity, cyclicity, BCS, milk production, and a tendency for leg health. In addition, treatment × cyclicity and treatment × parity interactions were found to affect pregnancy success, where anovulatory cows and older cows had compromised pregnancy outcomes on the ACT treatment but not on the TAI treatment. Factors affecting pregnancy outcomes varied among farms. Hazard of pregnancy by 300 DIM was affected by farm, parity, BCS, a treatment × cyclicity interaction, and a tendency for an interaction between leg health and farm. Detection of estrus was affected by farm, parity, cyclicity, and leg health, but not BCS or milk production. Expression of estrus was compromised in anovular and older cows, and by the timing of the estrus event, but not by gait score, BCS, or milk production. Increased duration of estrus, but not intensity of estrus, improved pregnancy per AI. In conclusion, using an automated activity monitor for the detection of estrus within a Presynch-Ovsynch program resulted in similar pregnancy per AI and days open compared with a reproduction program that was strictly based on timed AI for first postpartum AI. In contrast, notable variations in reproductive outcomes were detected between farms, suggesting that the use of automated activity monitors is prone to individual farm management.


Asunto(s)
Detección del Estro/métodos , Sincronización del Estro/métodos , Inseminación Artificial/veterinaria , Reproducción/fisiología , Animales , Bovinos , Cuerpo Lúteo/fisiología , Dinoprost/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Lactancia , Paridad , Embarazo , Progesterona , Factores de Riesgo
7.
J Dairy Sci ; 99(6): 4795-4807, 2016 Jun.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27060820

RESUMEN

The relationship between plasma estradiol concentration at time of examination and prevalence of uterine disorders, agreement among methods, and associations of diagnosis with pregnancy hazard and milk yield was studied in 268 Holstein cows examined at 30±3 (exam 1) and 44±3 d in milk (DIM; exam 2). Purulent vaginal discharge was sampled using 2 methods: gloved hand and Metricheck (Simcro, Hamilton, New Zealand; PVD; score ≥3). Percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was determined by endometrial cytology (CYTO; exam 1: ≥18%, exam 2: ≥10%); diameter of uterine horns (UTH; >20 mm), diameter of the inner layer of the cervix (CVX; >20.5 mm), presence of fluid in the uterine lumen (FL), and ovarian structures were evaluated by ultrasonography. A blood sample was collected at each exam for estradiol analysis. Prevalence at exams 1 and 2 was, respectively, 14.2 and 18.5% (PVD), 21.4 and 10.1% (FL), and 40.6 and 50.2% (CYTO). Prevalence of PVD at exam 1 was greater among cows with estradiol ≥2 pg/mL (19.4 vs. 8.2%). Agreement of all methods with CYTO was poor, the greatest being between CYTO and FL (exam 1; kappa=0.19). Agreement between CYTO and PVD, and between CYTO and FL (exam 1; kappa=0.15 and 0.35, respectively) was higher among cows with estradiol ≥2 pg/mL. Likelihood of PVD at exam 1 was greater if cows were positive for CVX [odds ratio (OR)=3.0], FL (OR=2.6) or had estradiol ≥2 pg/mL (OR=2.7). Likelihood of CYTO increased with dystocia (OR=2.3) and FL (OR=2.5). Estradiol did not influence diagnosis at exam 2. Positive FL or CYTO at exam 1 was associated with reductions in milk yield of 59 to 180 kg by 45 DIM. Pregnancy hazard until 250 DIM was reduced by CYTO at exam 1 (hazard ratio=0.74) and by PVD (hazard ratio=0.68) at exam 2. However, FL and CYTO reduced pregnancy hazard only when estradiol was ≥2 pg/mL (exam 1), whereas PVD reduced pregnancy hazard when diagnosed at exam 2 with estradiol <2 pg/mL. Overall, agreement was poor and effects of positive diagnosis differed according to method and DIM at exam. Estradiol concentration influenced prevalence, agreement, likelihood of positive diagnosis, and its effects on days to pregnancy.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Bovinos/diagnóstico , Endometritis/veterinaria , Estradiol/sangre , Excreción Vaginal/veterinaria , Animales , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/sangre , Endometritis/sangre , Endometritis/diagnóstico , Femenino , Lactancia , Modelos Logísticos , Leche/metabolismo , Nueva Zelanda , Reproducción , Tamaño de la Muestra , Excreción Vaginal/sangre , Excreción Vaginal/diagnóstico
8.
Langmuir ; 31(32): 8901-10, 2015 Aug 18.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26218497

RESUMEN

To understand the role of bile acids (BAs) in cell function, many authors have investigated their effect on biomembrane models which are less complex systems, but there are still many open questions. The present study aims to contribute for the deepening of the knowledge of the interaction between BAs and model membranes, in particular, focusing on the effect of BA mixtures. The cytotoxic deoxycholic acid (DCA), the cytoprotective ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), and the equimolar mixture (DCA + UDCA) were investigated. Monolayers and liposomes were taken as model membranes with two lipid compositions: an equimolar mixture of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), sphingomyelin (SM), and cholesterol (Chol)) traditionally associated with the formation of lipid rafts and an equimolar POPC/SM binary mixture. The obtained results showed that DCA causes the fluidization of monolayers and bilayers, leading to the eventual rupture of POPC/SM liposomes at high concentration. UDCA may provide a stabilization of POPC/SM membranes but has a negligible effect on the Chol-containing liposomes. In the case of equimolar mixture DCA/UDCA, the interactions depend not only on the lipid composition but also on the design of the experiment. The BA mixture has a greater impact on the monolayers than do pure BAs, suggesting a cooperative DCA-UDCA interaction that enhances the penetration of UDCA in both POPC/SM and POPC/SM/Chol monolayers. For the bilayers, the presence of UDCA in the mixture decreases the disturbing effect of DCA.


Asunto(s)
Colesterol/química , Ácido Desoxicólico/química , Fosfatidilcolinas/química , Esfingomielinas/química , Ácido Ursodesoxicólico/química , Liposomas/química , Modelos Moleculares
9.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 15289, 2024 07 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38961137

RESUMEN

The limited availability of antivirals for new highly pathogenic strains of virus has become a serious public health. Therefore, news products against these pathogens has become an urgent necessity. Among the multiple sources for news antibiotics and antivirals, insect exudates or their products has become an increasingly frequent option. Insects emerged 350 million years ago and have showed a high adaptability and resistance to the most varied biomes. Their survival for so long, in such different environments, is an indication that they have a very efficient protection against environmental infections, despite not having a developed immune system like mammals. Since the ancient civilizations, the products obtained from the bee have been of great pharmacological importance, being used as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and several other functions. Investigations of biological activity of propolis have been carried out, mainly in the species Apis mellifera, and its product have showed activity against some important viruses. However, for the Meliponini species, known as stingless bees, there are few studies, either on their chemical composition or on their biological activities. The importance of studying these bees is because they come from regions with native forests, and therefore with many species of plants not yet studied, in addition to which they are regions still free of pesticides, which guarantees a greater fidelity of the obtained data. Previous studies by our group with crude hydroalcoholic extract of propolis demonstrated an intense antiviral activity against Herpes, influenza, and rubella viruses. In this work, we chose to use aqueous extracts, which eliminates the presence of other compounds besides those originally present in propolis, in addition to extracting substances different from those obtained in alcoholic extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to identify, isolate and characterize compounds with antiviral effects from aqueous propolis extracts from Scaptotrigona aff postica, in emerging viruses such as zicavirus, chikungunya, and mayaro virus. The evaluation of the antiviral activity of the crude and purified material was performed by reducing infectious foci in VERO cell cultures. The results obtained with crude propolis, indicate a high reduction of zica virus (64×) and mayaro (128×) when was used 10% v/v of propolis. The reduction of chikungunya virus was of 256 fold, even when was used 5% v/v of propolis. The chemical characterization of the compounds present in the extracts was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Through the purification of propolis by HPLC and mass spectrometry, it was possible to identify and isolate a peak with antiviral activity. This substance showed activity against all viruses tested. When purified fraction was used, the reduction observed was of 16 fold for zicavirus, 32 fold for mayaro virus and 512 fold for chikungunya virus. Likewise, it was observed that the antiviral response was concentration dependent, being more intense when propolis was added 2 h after the viral infection. Now we are carrying out the chemical characterization of the purified compounds that showed antiviral action.


Asunto(s)
Antivirales , Própolis , Própolis/farmacología , Própolis/química , Animales , Antivirales/farmacología , Antivirales/química , Abejas , Virus Chikungunya/efectos de los fármacos , Chlorocebus aethiops , Células Vero
10.
MethodsX ; 10: 102153, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37077896

RESUMEN

Linear regression is one of the oldest statistical modeling approaches. Still, it is a valuable tool, particularly when it is necessary to create forecast models with low sample sizes. When researchers use this method and have numerous potential regressors, choosing the group of regressors for a model that fulfills all the required assumptions can be challenging. In this sense, the authors developed an open-source Python script that automatically tests all the combinations of regressors under a brute-force approach. The output displays the best linear regression models, regarding the thresholds set by users for the required assumptions: statistical significance of the estimations, multicollinearity, error normality, and homoscedasticity. Further, the script allows the selection of linear regressions with regression coefficients according to the user's expectations. This script was tested with an environmental dataset to predict surface water quality parameters based on landscape metrics and contaminant loads. Among millions of possible combinations, less than 0.1 % of the regressor combinations fulfilled the requirements. The resulting combinations were also tested in geographically weighted regression, with similar results to linear regression. The model's performance was higher for pH and total nitrate and lower for total alkalinity and electrical conductivity.•A Python script was developed to find the best linear regressions within a dataset.•Output regressions are automatically selected based on regression coefficient expectations set by the user and the linear regression assumptions.•The algorithm was successfully validated through an environmental dataset.

11.
Phys Rev Lett ; 108(20): 201302, 2012 May 18.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23003137

RESUMEN

We report the final results of the Phase II SIMPLE measurements, comprising two run stages of 15 superheated droplet detectors each, with the second stage including an improved neutron shielding. The analyses include a refined signal analysis, and revised nucleation efficiency based on a reanalysis of previously reported monochromatic neutron irradiations. The combined results yield a contour minimum of σp=5.7×10(-3) pb at 35 GeV/c2 in the spin-dependent sector of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) proton interactions, the most restrictive to date for MW}≤60 GeV/c2 from a direct search experiment and overlapping, for the first time, with results previously obtained only indirectly. In the spin-independent sector, a minimum of 4.7×10(-6) pb at 35 GeV/c2 is achieved, with the exclusion contour challenging a significant part of the light mass WIMP region of current interest.

12.
Sci Total Environ ; 798: 149322, 2021 Dec 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34340076

RESUMEN

Water management decisions are complex ever since they are dependent on adopted politics, social objectives, environmental impacts, and economic determinants. To adequately address hydric resources issues, it is crucial to rely on scientific data and models guiding decision-makers. The present study brings a new methodology, consisting of a combined GIS-MCDA, to prioritize catchments that require environmental interventions to improve surface water quality. A Portuguese catchment, Ave River Basin, was selected to test this methodology due to the low water quality. First, it was calculated the contamination risk of each catchment, based on a GIS-MCDA using point source pressures, landscape metrics, and diffuse emissions as criteria. This analysis was compared to local data of ecological and chemical status through ANOVA and the Tukey test. The results showed the efficiency of the method since the contamination risk was lower for catchments under a good status and higher in catchments with a lower classification. In a second task, it was calculated the intervention complexity using a different GIS-MCDA. For this approach, it was chosen five criteria that condition environmental interventions, population density, slope, percentage of burned areas, Strahler order, and the number of effluent discharge sites. Both multicriteria methods were combined in a graphical analysis to rank the catchments intervention priority, subdividing the prioritization into four categories from 1st to 4th, giving a higher preference for catchments with high contamination risk and low intervention complexity. As a result, catchments with a good status were dominantly placed under low intervention priority, and catchments with a lower ecological status were classified as a high priority, 1st and 2nd. In total, 248 catchments were spatially ranked, which is an essential finding for decision-makers, that are willing to safeguard the catchment water quality.


Asunto(s)
Ríos , Calidad del Agua , Técnicas de Apoyo para la Decisión , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Sistemas de Información Geográfica
13.
Vet Res Commun ; 45(4): 251-260, 2021 Dec.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34138400

RESUMEN

This study aimed to investigate the influence of gestational stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, Escherichia coli) on the physiological changes of ewes, as well as on the subsequent behavioral interaction between ewes and lambs and on the memory and learning of 30-day-old offspring in a T-maze. Thirty-six nulliparous pregnant crossbred Santa Ines ewes with an initial live weight of 45 ± 6 kg, age of 12 ± 2 months, and body condition score between 3 and 3.5 (on a scale of 1 to 5) were divided into two treatments: LPS treatment (E. coli; 0.8 µg.kg-1) and Control (placebo/saline) administered in late pregnancy (day 120). Blood samples were collected before (0 h at 5:00 h) and 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h after the administration of LPS or placebo to determine the cortisol release curve. Rectal temperature was measured at the same time points. After birth, male lambs (N = 19) were used to evaluate the maternal-offspring behavioral interaction, weight, and cognitive ability in a T-maze. Blood cortisol and rectal temperature of ewes increased after LPS administration and returned to baseline levels after 24 h. The activities facilitating and stimulating suckling were higher on LPS group (P < 0.05). Lambs whose mothers were challenged with LPS during late pregnancy showed greater learning and memory disabilities including fear behavior and the inability to make decisions at 30 days of age in the T-maze. In sheep, the immunological stress induced by LPS in late pregnancy promotes an inflammatory response characterized by specific rectal temperature and cortisol release profiles, improving maternal care that can increase offspring survival; however, the exposure of sheep fetuses to maternal inflammation causes cognitive impairment in lambs at 30 days of age, which could not be reduced by the behavioral interaction between the mother and offspring.


Asunto(s)
Aprendizaje por Laberinto , Memoria , Paridad , Preñez/fisiología , Oveja Doméstica/fisiología , Estrés Fisiológico , Animales , Escherichia coli/fisiología , Femenino , Lipopolisacáridos/efectos adversos , Masculino , Embarazo
14.
Phys Rev Lett ; 105(21): 211301, 2010 Nov 19.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21231283

RESUMEN

We report results of a 14.1 kg d measurement with 15 superheated droplet detectors of total active mass 0.208 kg, comprising the first stage of a 30 kg d Phase II experiment. In combination with the results of the neutron-spin sensitive XENON10 experiment, these results yield a limit of |a(p)|<0.32 for M(W)=50 GeV/c² on the spin-dependent sector of weakly interacting massive particle-nucleus interactions with a 50% reduction in the previously allowed region of the phase space, formerly defined by XENON, KIMS, and PICASSO. In the spin-independent sector, a limit of 2.3×10⁻5 pb at M(W)=45 GeV/c² is obtained.

15.
Physiotherapy ; 106: 65-76, 2020 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32026847

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome can be very bothersome and is associated with impaired quality of life and work productivity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on OAB symptoms in women. Furthermore, to assess the influence of PFMT on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, satisfaction with treatment, side effects, adherence and the quality of exercise reporting. DATA SOURCES: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Electronic search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SciELO, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale. The Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) was used to assess the quality of exercise reporting. STUDY SELECTION: Full text RCTs including non-pregnant female participants, investigating PFMT vs inactive control or usual care, other life style modifications or other interventions. SYNTHESIS METHODS: Descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs were included. There was considerable heterogeneity of PFMT protocols, outcome measures and follow-up periods. Hence, a qualitative analysis was undertaken. PFMT provided a significant reduction of OAB symptoms in five studies with a reduction in urinary frequency (n=1), and urgency urinary incontinence (n=4). PFM function was assessed in three studies, and two studies found improvement in favor of PFMT. LIMITATIONS: A meta-analysis was not possible due to huge heterogeneity of included studies. CONCLUSION: PFMT might reduce OAB symptoms, however, due to many limitations of the published studies it is not possible to clearly determine the effect of PFMT on OAB symptoms and PFM function. Systematic Review Registration Number PROSPERO CRD42018085640.


Asunto(s)
Terapia por Ejercicio/métodos , Diafragma Pélvico/fisiopatología , Vejiga Urinaria Hiperactiva/terapia , Femenino , Humanos , Calidad de Vida , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto
16.
Biochim Biophys Acta ; 1778(2): 491-501, 2008 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18023411

RESUMEN

We present a combined theoretical (molecular dynamics, MD) and experimental (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC) study of the effect of 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) acyl chain-labeled fluorescent phospholipid analogs (C6-NBD-PC and C12-NBD-PC) on 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers. DSC measurements reveal that <1 mol% of NBD-PC causes elimination of the pre-transition and a large loss of cooperativity of the main transition of DPPC. Labeling with C6-NBD-PC or C12-NBD-PC shifts the main transition temperature to lower or higher values, respectively. Following our recent report on the location and dynamics of these probes (BBA 1768 (2007) 467-478) in fluid phase DPPC, we present a detailed analysis of 100-ns MD simulations of systems containing either C6-NBD-PC or C12-NBD-PC, focused on their influence on several properties of the host bilayer. Whereas most monitored parameters are not severely affected for 1.6 mol% of probe, for the higher concentration studied (6.2 mol%) important differences are evident. In agreement with published reports, we observed that the average area per phospholipid molecule increases, whereas DPPC acyl chain order parameters decrease. Moreover, we predict that incorporation of NBD-PC should increase the electrostatic potential across the bilayer and, especially for C12-NBD-PC, slow lateral diffusion of DPPC molecules and rotational mobility of DPPC acyl chains.


Asunto(s)
1,2-Dipalmitoilfosfatidilcolina/química , Azoles/química , Rastreo Diferencial de Calorimetría/métodos , Colorantes Fluorescentes/química , Nitrobencenos/química , Membranas Artificiales , Electricidad Estática
17.
Lett Appl Microbiol ; 49(2): 241-7, 2009 Aug.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19486287

RESUMEN

AIMS: To investigate the effect of the biosurfactants surfactin and rhamnolipids on the adhesion of the food pathogens Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Enteritidis to stainless steel and polypropylene surfaces. METHODS AND RESULTS: Quantification of bacterial adhesion was performed using the crystal violet staining technique. Preconditioning of surfaces with surfactin caused a reduction on the number of adhered cells of Ent. sakazakii and L. monocytogenes on stainless steel. The most significant result was obtained with L. monocytogenes where number of adhered cells was reduced by 10(2) CFU cm(-2). On polypropylene, surfactin showed a significant decrease on the adhesion of all strains. The adsorption of surfactin on polystyrene also reduces the adhesion of L. monocytogenes and Salm. Enteritidis growing cells. For short contact periods using nongrowing cells or longer contact periods with growing cells, surfactin was able to delay bacterial adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: The prior adsorption of surfactin to solid surfaces contributes on reducing colonization of the pathogenic bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first work investigating the effect of surfactin on the adhesion of the food pathogens L. monocytogenes, Ent. sakazakii and Salm. Enteritidis to polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces.


Asunto(s)
Adhesión Bacteriana/efectos de los fármacos , Cronobacter sakazakii/fisiología , Lipopéptidos/farmacología , Listeria monocytogenes/fisiología , Péptidos Cíclicos/farmacología , Salmonella enteritidis/fisiología , Tensoactivos/farmacología , Cronobacter sakazakii/efectos de los fármacos , Violeta de Genciana/metabolismo , Glucolípidos/farmacología , Listeria monocytogenes/efectos de los fármacos , Polipropilenos , Salmonella enteritidis/efectos de los fármacos , Coloración y Etiquetado/métodos , Acero Inoxidable
18.
Sci Total Environ ; 681: 242-257, 2019 Sep 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31103662

RESUMEN

A Partial Least Squares-Path Model (PLS-PM) was developed for the Ave River Basin (North of Portugal), and the results used in a scenario analysis. The data for PLS-PM comprised a set of anthropogenic pressures, water quality parameters, and a macroinvertebrate-based biodiversity index (IPtIN) used to assess the ecological status of streams. These groups of measured parameters (called latent variables) were given the names "Pressures", "Contamination" and "Ecological Integrity". Besides, latent variables were connected through path coefficients representing potential causal effects among them. In a large portion of Ave the ecological status of streams is currently bad or poor. Nitrate and coliforms were the most weighted measured variables of latent variable "Contamination", with w ≈ 0.7 and w ≈ 0.2, respectively. The highest "Pressures" weights were ascribed to livestock farming (0.7) and population density (0.4). The connections "Pressures"-"Contamination" and "Contamination" - "Ecological Integrity" exposed a sequence of direct negative effects between the three variables, expressed in the corresponding path coefficients (pc = 0.87 and pc = -1.11). Paradoxically, a direct negative effect of "Pressures" over "Ecological Integrity" was absent (pc = 0.29). Therefore, the poor ecological status of local stream waters might not be directly related to the presence of potentially threatening contaminant sources (the "Pressures"), but to ineffective monitoring of livestock farming and wastewater treatment activities that potentiate (accidental) releases of contaminants into the streams. The lack of a direct link "Pressures" - "Ecological Integrity" supported the results of pressure change versus IPtIN change scenarios. Regardless of some significant reductions of anthropogenic activity and population density until 2027, announced by the Portuguese Environmental Agency, the scenarios could not predict improvement of ecological status beyond the "moderate" category. The study recommendations were therefore to prevent contamination through proper implementation and monitoring of existing watershed management plans. The adequate treatment of domestic effluents and the control of livestock farming residues are urgent.


Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Invertebrados/fisiología , Modelos Teóricos , Animales , Biodiversidad , Ecología , Análisis de los Mínimos Cuadrados , Nitratos , Portugal , Ríos , Aguas Residuales , Calidad del Agua
19.
Genet Mol Res ; 7(2): 314-25, 2008 Apr 08.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18551397

RESUMEN

We explored the potential of fusion of hepatic locus control region 1 (HCR-1) with HCR-2 to express B-domain-deleted human factor VIII (FVIII) in four cell lines. B-domain-deleted human FVIII expression was controlled by HCR-1/HCR-2, followed by liver specific and ubiquitous promoters. Chimera enhancer HCR-1/HCR-2, followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, gave 2-fold more FVIII expression in all cell lines (105.6 +/- 2.8 for Hek-293, 68.8 +/- 3.8 for HepG2, 34.8 +/- 1.3 for CHO, and 27.2 +/- 1.6 ng x mL(-1) x 10(6) cells(-1) for L.N.) when compared to the vector with CMV alone (54.8 +/- 3.3 for Hek-293, 32.4 +/- 1.2 for HepG2, 18.6 +/- 1.1 for CHO, and 10.1 +/- 1.7 ng x mL(-1) x 10(6) cells(-1) for L.N.). Elongation factor 1-alpha gene and human CMV promoters were more efficient than the promoters from the human alpha-1-antitrypsin gene, and fviii was less efficient in hepatic cell lines. HCR-1/HCR-2, followed by strong promoters, increases FVIII expression in vitro. Our results underscore the importance of cis sequences for enhancing in vitro FVIII expression; this may be helpful for designing new strategies to improve heterologous expression systems.


Asunto(s)
Elementos de Facilitación Genéticos/genética , Factor VIII/genética , Vectores Genéticos/genética , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Animales , Células CHO , Línea Celular , Línea Celular Tumoral , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Citomegalovirus/genética , Factor VIII/metabolismo , Proteínas Fluorescentes Verdes/genética , Proteínas Fluorescentes Verdes/metabolismo , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica , Microscopía Fluorescente , Plásmidos/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusión/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusión/metabolismo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Transfección
20.
Radiat Prot Dosimetry ; 180(1-4): 230-234, 2018 Aug 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29149344

RESUMEN

Superheated droplet detectors (SDDs) are traditionally employed in the detection of neutrons. In this work the focus is on the detection of alpha particles using C2ClF5 as the target liquid. The alpha-droplet interaction is examined via computational studies, and a geometric model developed to describe the expected detector response. Experiments with alpha-emitting uranium- and samarium-doped SDDs at temperatures of 5-12°C confirm that the event rate is related to the size of the droplets, and are in model agreement for temperatures below 8°C; above this temperature, the acoustic sensitivity is reduced by signal attenuation as a result of the increasing bubble population, for which the addition of an attenuation coefficient restores the agreement with experiment. The results suggest the viability of a SDD-based alpha spectrometer using mono-sized droplets.


Asunto(s)
Partículas alfa , Neutrones , Dosis de Radiación , Radiometría/instrumentación , Acústica , Diseño de Equipo , Iones , Tamaño de la Partícula , Presión , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Samario/química , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Espectrofotometría , Temperatura , Uranio/química
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