Exploring Reversible Redox Behavior in the 6H-BaFeO3-δ (0 < δ < 0.4) System: Impact of Fe3+/Fe4+ Ratio on CO Oxidation.

This work is devoted to evaluating the relationship between the oxygen content and catalytic activity in the CO oxidation process of the 6H-type BaFeO3-δ system. Strong evidence is provided about the improvement of catalytic performance with increasing Fe average oxidation state, thus suggesting the involvement of lattice oxygen in the catalytic process. The compositional and structural changes taking place in both the anionic and cationic sublattices of the catalysts during redox cycles have been determined by temperature-resolved neutron diffraction. The obtained results evidence a structural transition from hexagonal (P63/mmc) to orthorhombic (Cmcm) symmetry. This transition is linked to octahedra distortion when the Fe3+ concentration exceeds 40% (δ values higher than 0.2). The topotactical character of the redox process is maintained in the δ range 0 < δ < 0.4. This suggests that the cationic framework is only subjected to slight structural modifications during the oxygen exchange process occurring during the catalytic cycle.

Doppler changes in umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, cerebroplacental ratio and ductus venosus during open fetal microneurosurgery for intrauterine open spina bifida repair.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in fetal Doppler parameters during a novel technique for open fetal microneurosurgery for open spina bifida (OSB) repair. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 44 fetuses undergoing open fetal surgery for OSB repair using a novel microneurosurgery approach that is characterized by a mini-hysterotomy (diameter of 15 mm), minimal fetal manipulation and maintenance of a constant normal amniotic fluid volume throughout the procedure. Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery (UA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) was performed before the start of surgery and at prespecified timepoints during fetal surgery. UA pulsatility index (PI) > 95th percentile, DV-PI > 95th percentile, MCA-PI < 5th percentile and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) < 5th percentile were considered abnormal. RESULTS: Median gestational age at fetal surgery was 25.2 weeks (range, 22.9-27.9 weeks). Doppler recordings were successfully obtained in all cases during all timepoints throughout the surgery. As compared with Doppler values before surgery, there was a significant increase in the proportion of fetuses with MCA-PI < 5th percentile (63.6% vs 13.6%; P < 0.001), CPR < 5th percentile (65.9% vs 15.9%; P < 0.001) and DV-PI > 95th percentile (22.7% vs 0%; P = 0.01) and a non-significant increase in the proportion of fetuses with UA-PI > 95th percentile (11.4% vs 0%; P = 0.12) during fetal surgery. None of the fetuses showed absent or reversed end-diastolic velocity in the UA or absent or reversed DV a-wave at any stage during OSB repair. All abnormal Doppler parameters returned to normal after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: During open fetal surgery for OSB repair, a small hysterotomy, reduced fetal manipulation and maintenance of a normal amniotic fluid volume seem to prevent severe fetal Doppler abnormalities. The mild Doppler changes observed during fetal surgery could be a manifestation of fetal adaptation to the stress of fetal surgery. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Functional inhibitory control dynamics in impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Impulse control disorders related to alterations in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine network occur in Parkinson's disease (PD). Our objective was to investigate the functional neural substrates of reward processing and inhibitory control in these patients. METHODS: Eighteen PD patients with impulse control disorders, 17 without this complication, and 18 healthy controls performed a version of the Iowa Gambling Task during functional magnetic resonance scanning under 3 conditions: positive, negative, and mixed feedback. Whole-brain contrasts, regions of interest, time courses, functional connectivity analyses, and brain-behavior associations were examined. RESULTS: PD patients with impulse control disorders exhibited hyperactivation in subcortical and cortical regions typically associated with reward processing and inhibitory control compared with their PD and healthy control counterparts. Time-course analyses revealed that only PD patients with impulse control disorders exhibited stronger signal intensity during the initial versus final periods of the negative-feedback condition in bilateral insula, and right ventral striatum. Interestingly, hyperactivation of all the examined right-lateralized frontostriatal areas during negative feedback was positively associated with impulse control disorder severity. Importantly, positive associations between impulse control disorder severity and regional activations in the right insula and right inferior frontal gyrus, but not the right subthalamic nucleus, were mediated by functional connectivity with the right ventral striatum. CONCLUSIONS: During a reward-based task, PD patients with impulse control disorders showed hyperactivation in a right-lateralized network of regions including the subthalamic nucleus that was strongly associated with impulse control disorder severity. In these patients, the right ventral striatum in particular played a critical role in modulating the functional dynamics of right-lateralized inhibitory-control frontal regions when facing penalties. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Survival outcome in severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia with and without fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion in a country with suboptimal neonatal management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) on improving survival of fetuses with severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), as compared with contemporaneous cases managed expectantly during pregnancy, in a country with suboptimal neonatal management. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive fetuses with isolated left-sided CDH, normal karyotype and severe pulmonary hypoplasia (defined as liver herniation and observed/expected lung-to-head circumference ratio below 26%) were selected for FETO at less than 32 weeks of gestation in a single tertiary referral center in Queretaro, Mexico. Postnatal outcome (survival up to 28 days after birth) was compared between fetuses treated with FETO and contemporaneous cases with similar lung size managed expectantly during pregnancy. RESULTS: Twenty-five fetuses with isolated severe left-sided CDH treated with FETO were matched individually with 25 cases managed expectantly during pregnancy. Endotracheal placement of the balloon was performed successfully on the first attempt in all cases. The median gestational age (GA) at balloon placement was 29.1 (range, 25.6-31.8) weeks and 34.1 (range, 30.0-36.1) weeks at balloon removal. There were no technical problems with the introduction or removal of the balloon in any cases. The median GA at delivery was significantly lower in the group treated with FETO than in those managed expectantly (35.3 vs 37.7 weeks; P = 0.04). The survival rate was significantly higher in the group treated with FETO than in those without fetal intervention (32% vs 0%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In settings with suboptimal neonatal management, FETO was associated with improved neonatal survival in fetuses with isolated left-sided CDH and severe pulmonary hypoplasia. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Resultado de supervivencia en una hernia diafragmática congénita grave del lado izquierdo, con y sin oclusión traqueal endoscópica fetal en un país con un tratamiento neonatal subóptimo OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto de la oclusión traqueal endoscópica fetal (OTEF) en la mejora de la supervivencia de los fetos con hernia diafragmática congénita (HDC) grave del lado izquierdo, en comparación con los casos actuales tratados como embarazo gestante, en un país con un tratamiento neonatal subóptimo. MÉTODOS: En este estudio prospectivo de cohortes, se seleccionaron fetos consecutivos con HDC aislada del lado izquierdo, cariotipo normal e hipoplasia pulmonar grave (definida como hernia hepática y una proporción observada/esperada de la circunferencia pulmonar-cabeza inferior al 26%) para una OTEF antes de las 32 semanas de gestación, en un único centro de medicina especializada terciaria en Querétaro (México). El resultado postnatal (supervivencia hasta los 28 días después del nacimiento) se comparó entre fetos tratados con OTEF y los casos contemporáneos con tamaño pulmonar similar, tratados como embarazo gestante. RESULTADOS: Veinticinco fetos con HDC grave aislada del lado izquierdo que habían sido tratados con OTEF fueron emparejados individualmente con 25 casos tratados como embarazo gestante. La colocación endotraqueal del globo se realizó con éxito en el primer intento en todos los casos. La mediana de la edad gestacional (EG) en el momento de la colocación del globo fue de 29,1 (rango, 25,6-31,8) semanas y 34,1 (rango, 30,0-36,1) semanas cuando se retiró el globo. En ningún caso hubo problemas técnicos con la introducción o la retirada del globo. La mediana de la EG en el momento del parto fue significativamente menor en el grupo tratado con OTEF que en el grupo tratado como gestante (35,3 vs 37,7 semanas; P=0,04). La tasa de supervivencia fue significativamente más alta en el grupo tratado con OTEF que en los casos sin intervención fetal (32% vs 0%; P<0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: En los entornos con un tratamiento neonatal subóptimo, la OTEF se asoció con una mejora de la supervivencia neonatal en los fetos con HDC aislada del lado izquierdo y con hipoplasia pulmonar grave. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

High-dose neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus chemotherapy alone followed by surgery in potentially-resectable stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC. A multi-institutional retrospective study by the Oncologic Group for the Study of Lung Cancer (Spanish Radiation Oncology Society).

BACKGROUND: The optimal induction treatment in potentially-resectable stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC remains undefined. AIM: To compare neoadjuvant high-dose chemoradiotherapy (CRT) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CHT) in patients with resectable, stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Retrospective, multicentre study of 99 patients diagnosed with stage cT1-T3N2M0 NSCLC who underwent neoadjuvant treatment (high-dose CRT or CHT) followed by surgery between January 2005 and December 2014. RESULTS: 47 patients (47.5%) underwent CRT and 52 (52.5%) CHT, with a median follow-up of 41 months. Surgery consisted of lobectomy (87.2% and 82.7%, in the CRT and CHT groups, respectively) or pneumonectomy (12.8% vs. 17.3%). Nodal downstaging (to N1/N0) and Pathologic complete response (pCR; pT0pN0) rates were significantly higher in the CRT group (89.4% vs. 57.7% and 46.8% vs. 7.7%, respectively; p < 0.001)). Locoregional recurrence was significantly lower in the CRT group (8.5% vs. 13.5%; p = 0.047) but distant recurrence rates were similar in the two groups. Median PFS was 45 months (CHT) vs. "not reached" (CRT). Median OS was similar: 61 vs. 56 months (p = 0.803). No differences in grade ≥3 toxicity were observed. On the Cox regression analysis, advanced pT stage was associated with worse OS and PFS (p < 0.001) and persistent N2 disease (p = 0.002) was associated with worse PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, a higher proportion of patients treated with preoperative CRT achieved nodal downstaging and pCR with better locoregional control. However, there were no differences in survival. More studies are needed to know the optimal treatment of these patients.

Multiple Shape Coexistence in

From detailed spectroscopy of ^{110}Cd and ^{112}Cd following the ß^{+}/electron-capture decay of ^{110,112}In and the ß^{-} decay of ^{112}Ag, very weak decay branches from nonyrast states are observed. The transition rates determined from the measured branching ratios and level lifetimes obtained with the Doppler-shift attenuation method following inelastic neutron scattering reveal collective enhancements that are suggestive of a series of rotational bands. In ^{110}Cd, a γ band built on the shape-coexisting intruder configuration is suggested. For ^{112}Cd, the 2^{+} and 3^{+} intruder γ-band members are suggested, the 0_{3}^{+} band is extended to spin 4^{+}, and the 0_{4}^{+} band is identified. The results are interpreted using beyond-mean-field calculations employing the symmetry conserving configuration mixing method with the Gogny D1S energy density functional and with the suggestion that the Cd isotopes exhibit multiple shape coexistence.

Nigrostriatal dopamine transporter availability, and its metabolic and clinical correlates in Parkinson's disease patients with impulse control disorders.

PURPOSE: Previous studies in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and impulse control disorders (ICDs) have produced heterogeneous results regarding striatal dopamine transporter (DaT) binding and activity in the mesocorticolimbic network. Our aim here was to study the relationship between striatal DaT availability and cortical metabolism, as well as motor, behavioural and cognitive features of PD patients with ICD. METHODS: In a group of PD patients with ICD (PD-ICD, n = 16) and 16 matched PD patients without ICD (PD-noICD, n = 16), DaT single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging (DaTSCAN) was used to study DaT availability in predefined striatal volumes of interest (VOIs): putamen, caudate nucleus and ventral striatum (VS). In addition, the specific association of striatal DaT binding with cortical limbic and associative metabolic activity was evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in PD-ICD patients and investigated using statistical parametric mapping (SPM8). Finally, associations between DaT availability and motor, behavioural and cognitive features were assessed. RESULTS: PD-ICD patients had a significantly lower DaT density in the VS than PD-noICD patients, which was inversely associated with ICD severity. Lower DaT availability in the VS was associated with lower FDG uptake in several cortical areas belonging to the limbic and associative circuits, and in other regions involved in reward and inhibition processes (p < 0.0001 uncorrected; k > 50 voxels). No significant results were observed using a higher conservative threshold (p < 0.05; FDR corrected). PD-ICD patients also displayed impairment in interference and attentional Stroop Task execution, and more anxiety, all associated with reduced DaT availability in the VS and caudate nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: ICDs in PD patients are related to reduced DaT binding in the VS, which accounts for dysfunction in a complex cortico-subcortical network that involves areas of the mesolimbic and mesocortical systems, being associated with reward evaluation, salience attribution and inhibitory control processes.

Highly divergent cattle hepacivirus N in Southern Brazil.

The genus Hepacivirus includes 14 species (Hepacivirus A-N). In this study, we determined a partial genome sequence of a highly divergent bovine hepacivirus (hepacivirus N, HNV) isolate from cattle in Southern Brazil. Previously described HNV isolates have shared 80-99.7% nucleotide sequence identity in the NS3 coding region. However, the sequence determined in this study had 72.6% to 73.8% nucleotide sequence identity to known HNV NS3 sequences. This high divergence could be seen in a phylogenetic tree, suggesting that it represents a new genotype of HNV. These data expand our knowledge concerning the genetic variability and evolution of hepaciviruses.

Characterization of the viral genomes present in commercial batches of horse serum obtained by high-throughput sequencing.

Horses are often used as blood donors for commercial horse serum (HS) production and to manufacture biologicals. HS is an alternative for fetal bovine serum (FBS) used as a supplement for cell culture and vaccine production. Furthermore, HS is also frequently obtained in order to produce antisera toxins and pathogens. The advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has promoted changes in virus detection, since previous knowledge of targets is not required. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the virome of five different batches of commercial HS from New Zealand (three batches) and Brazil and the United States (one batch each) using HTS. Each HS pool were processed and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences-related to viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae, Herpesviridae, and Parvoviridae families were detected. Particularly, equine hepacivirus (EqHV), equine pegivirus (EPgV), and Theiler's disease-associated virus (TDAV) were more frequent found in the batches analyzed. The presence of viral genomes in cell culture sera illustrates that these commercial sera can contain a mixture of different viruses and, therefore, can be regarded as potentially infectious for susceptible hosts. Moreover, the innocuity of commercial HS is important for the efficiency and security of diagnostics and the production of biological products.

Abaloparatide, a novel PTH receptor agonist, increased bone mass and strength in ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys by increasing bone formation without increasing bone resorption.

Abaloparatide, a novel PTH1 receptor agonist, increased bone formation in osteopenic ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys while increasing cortical and trabecular bone mass. Abaloparatide increased bone strength and maintained or enhanced bone mass-strength relationships, indicating preserved or improved bone quality. INTRODUCTION: Abaloparatide is a selective PTH1R activator that is approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The effects of 16 months of abaloparatide administration on bone formation, resorption, density, and strength were assessed in adult ovariectomized (OVX) cynomolgus monkeys (cynos). METHODS: Sixty-five 9-18-year-old female cynos underwent OVX surgery, and 15 similar cynos underwent sham surgery. After a 9-month period without treatments, OVX cynos were allocated to four groups that received 16 months of daily s.c. injections with either vehicle (n = 17) or abaloparatide (0.2, 1, or 5 µg/kg/day; n = 16/dose level), while Sham controls received s.c. vehicle (n = 15). Bone densitometry (DXA, pQCT, micro-CT), qualitative bone histology, serum calcium, bone turnover markers, bone histomorphometry, and bone strength were among the key measures assessed. RESULTS: At the end of the 9-month post-surgical bone depletion period, just prior to the treatment phase, the OVX groups exhibited increased bone turnover markers and decreased bone mass compared with sham controls. Abaloparatide administration to OVX cynos led to increased bone formation parameters, including serum P1NP and endocortical bone formation rate. Abaloparatide administration did not influence serum calcium levels, bone resorption markers, cortical porosity, or eroded surfaces. Abaloparatide increased bone mass at the whole body, lumbar spine, tibial diaphysis, femoral neck, and femoral trochanter. Abaloparatide administration was associated with greater lumbar vertebral strength, and had no adverse effects on bone mass-strength relationships for the vertebrae, femoral neck, femoral diaphysis, or humeral cortical beams. CONCLUSIONS: Abaloparatide administration was associated with increases in bone formation, bone mass and bone strength, and with maintenance of bone quality in OVX cynos, without increases in serum calcium or bone resorption parameters.

Columbid circoviruses detected in free ranging pigeons from Southern Brazil: insights on PiCV evolution.

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is taxonomically classified as a member of the Circovirus genus, family Circoviridae. The virus contains a single stranded DNA genome of approximately 2 kb, with minor length variations among different isolates. The occurrence of PiCV infections in pigeons (Columba livia) has been documented worldwide over the past 20 years; however, in Brazil there were still no reports on PiCV detection. This study identifies seven PiCV genomes recovered from domestic pigeons of South Brazil through high-throughput sequencing and shows a high frequency of PiCV infection, through quantitative real-time PCR. Phylogenetic classification was performed by maximum likelihood analysis of the full genomes, ORF V1 (Rep) and ORF C1 (Cap). The results show that either full genome or Cap based analysis allowed PiCV classification into five major clades (groups A to E), where Brazilian sequences were classified as A, C or D. Recombination analyses were carried out with Simplot and RDP4 and the results show that both Rep and Cap ORFs contain several recombination hotspots, pointing to an important role for such events in PiCV evolution.

Correction to: Columbid circoviruses detected in free ranging pigeons from Southern Brazil: insights on PiCV evolution.

Unfortunately, the word "evolution" was found missing in title of the original article which is corrected here by this erratum. The original article has been corrected.

Boar sperm quality after supplementation of diets with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids extracted from microalgae.

This study evaluated effects of diet supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from microalgae on boar sperm quality. Two groups of boars (n = 3 each) were fed during 75 days either a commercial diet (control), or the same diet supplemented with omega-3 PUFA from the heterotrophic microalgae Schizochytrium sp. (120 g/kg). Sixteen ejaculates were collected per boar. Some sperm kinetics parameters were inferior for supplemented than for control boars (p < .05): distance average path; distance in both curved and straight line; velocity average path, velocity in both curved and straight line; and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Spermatozoa from supplemented boars presented lower mitochondrial functionality, but greater membrane fluidity compared to the control group (p < .01). Membrane and acrosome integrity, production of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation did not differ (p > .05). Serum cholesterol levels were greater (p < .05) for supplemented than for control boars at the 30th and 60th d of supplementation, but levels of triglycerides and IGF-1 did not differ (p > .05). Compared to the control, spermatozoa of supplemented boars were slower, travelled shorter distances and presented impaired energy metabolism, but their greater membrane fluidity may potentially favour their cryopreservation.

Insulin resistance and sex hormone-binding globulin are independently correlated with low free testosterone levels in obese males.

Male obesity is associated with decreased testosterone levels but the pathophysiological mechanisms behind this association are not completely understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hyperglycaemia/insulin resistance and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels on testosterone levels in a population of obese men. We investigated the impact of several clinical, anthropometric and analytic measures on testosterone levels in 150 obese males. Testosterone deficiency was present in 52.0% of the enrolled patients. This percentage dropped to 17.6% when only calculated free testosterone (FT) was accounted, as SHBG levels were correlated negatively with body mass index (r = -.20; p < .05). Older age (p < .05) and higher homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p < .01) and lower SHBG levels (p < .05) were independently correlated with lower FT. Weight and fasting plasma glucose lost their statistical significance after multivariate adjustment. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes had lower FT than those with normal glucose tolerance (p < .05 and p < .01 respectively). Insulin resistance, and not hyperglycaemia and weight per se, seems to be the main determinant of low testosterone levels in obese males. Low SHBG levels are correlated with low FT even after HOMA-IR adjustment. This suggests that SHBG can be associated with testosterone deficiency beyond the influence of insulin resistance unlike previously reported.

Reduced Glutathione and ATP in the Seminal Cryopreservation of Tambaqui.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of reduced glutathione (GR) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cryopreserved sperm tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum.. OBJECTIVE: Semen samples were frozen at different concentrations of GR (2, 4, and 6 mM) and ATP (7.5, 15, 30 mM) evaluated separately. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different concentrations of GR and ATP were added to the diluent Beltsville Thawing Solution 10 % of DMSO (extender control). The thawed sperm was evaluated as the kinetic parameters for Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) and cell feature parameters by flow cytometry. RESULTS: All concentrations of GR and ATP had gradual reduction in the production of reactive oxygen species, mainly ATP 15; 22.5 mM and 30 mM, which decreased by 50% or more when compared to the control. All concentrations of GR and ATP did not change (P> 0.05) DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation. The membrane fluidity GR in concentrations 4 and 6 mM were better than control; and the concentrations of 2 and 4 mM maintained more efficiently to motility period, total and progressive motility. CONCLUSION: Thus, it is indicated the use of BTS extender with 10% DMSO added 4 mM GR thawed sperm Tambaqui C. macropomum.

Association Between DMSO and Sugars in the Sperm Cryopreservation of Pacu.

　　BACKGROUND: The cryopreservation protocol that has been developed exclusively for the preservation of the sperm of the species different. OBJECTIVE: this study was to evaluate the effect of the association of 10% DMSO with trehalose, raffinose, sucrose and lactose concentrations on the sperm cells of Piaractus mesopotamicus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sperms were collected from the animals through abdominal massage. The samples were diluted in the Beltsville Thawing Solution without different concentrations of other sugars (test conditions). Sixty days after the cryopreservation, cell movement analysis was performed using CASA. RESULTS: The results revealed that the parameters for total motility and motility period were superior when 100mM raffinose (P <0.05). The lateral displacement of the head was observed to be improved was 100mM lactose, 150mM sucrose and 150mM raffinose (P <0.05) as compared to treatment wherein lactose (0mM) was omitted. CONCLUSION: the results of our study indicated that the ideal parameters for cryopreservation, were obtained when the cryopreservation fluid contained 100mM raffinose in association with DMSO.

Ovarian fragment sizes affect viability and morphology of preantral follicles during storage at 4°C.

The method of transportation and the conditions imposed on the ovarian tissue are pivotal aspects for the success of ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the size of the ovarian tissue (e.g. whole ovary, biopsy size and transplant size) during different times of storage (0, 6, 12 and 24 h) on the structural integrity of equine ovarian tissue transported at 4°C. Eighteen pairs of ovaries from young mares (<10 years old) were harvested in a slaughterhouse and processed to simulate the fragment sizes (biopsy and transplant size groups) or kept intact (whole ovary group) and stored at 4°C for up to 24 h in α-MEM-enriched solution. The effect of the size of the ovarian tissue was observed on the morphology of preantral follicles, stromal cell density, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential. The results showed that (i) biopsy size fragments had more morphologically normal preantral follicles after 24 h of storage at 4°C; (ii) mitochondrial membrane potential was the lowest during each storage time when the whole ovary was used; (iii) DNA fragmentation rate in the ovarian cells of all sizes of fragments increased as storage was prolonged and (iv) transplant size fragments had increased stromal cell density during storage at cool temperature. In conclusion, the biopsy size fragment was the best to preserve follicle morphology for long storage (24 h); however, transportation/storage should be prior determined according to the distance (time of transportation) between patient and reproduction centers/clinics.

Atomically Resolved Short-Range Order at the Nanoscale in the Ca-Mn-O System.

The elucidation of the reaction mechanisms involving redox processes in functional transition-metal oxides, which usually start in areas of very few nanometers in size, is yet a challenge to be satisfactorily achieved. Atomically resolved HAADF and EELS have provided both chemical and structural information at the nanoscale, which reveal the preservation of short-range cationic order in areas of 2-3 nm length as the driving force behind the reversibility of the Ca2Mn3O8-Ca2Mn3O5 redox process. Oxygen evolution is accommodated by cationic diffusion along the Ca and Mn layers of the cation-deficient Ca2Mn3O8 delafossite related structure, whereas Mn remains octahedrally coordinated.

Cooling strategies for brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus embryos.

BACKGROUND: Paralichthys orbignyanus is the species of the greatest potential for marine and estuarine fish farming in southern Brazil. Consequently, embryo cryopreservation becomes an important tool for increasing their production. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of cooling protocols on the viability of embryos of P. orbignyanus at two stages of development (neurula and early differentiation of the tail). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Control embryos were maintained at 23 degree C and treated embryos were cooled to 15 degree C, 10 degree C and 5 degree C at rapid, moderate and slow cooling rates. Then embryos were maintained at these different temperatures for 30, 60 and 90 min and the loss of viability assessed as hatching rates (HR) and morphologically normal larvae (MNL). RESULTS: The average HR for embryos following cooling was higher for those at the tail stage compared to the neurula stage (P<0.05). In both stages there was no statistical difference between the HR of control embryos and those exposed to rapid cooling. Also for tail stage embryos, there was no difference between MNL of control and rapidly cooled embryos. CONCLUSION: As first steps in the development of cryopreservation methods for P. orbignyanus embryos, the use of a rapid cooling and holding at 5 degree C for 30 min are recommended.