Approach to the inverse problem of superdiffusion on finite systems based on time-dependent long-range navigation.

This work addresses the superdiffusive motion of a random walker on a discrete finite-size substrate. It is shown that, with the inclusion of suitably tuned time-dependent probability of large distance jumps over the substrate, the mean square displacement (MSD) of the walker has a power-law dependence on time with a previously chosen exponent γ>1. The developed framework provides an exact solution to the inverse problem, i.e., an adequate jump probability function leading to a preestablished solution is evaluated. Using the Markov Chain (MC) formalism, an exact map for the time dependence of the probability function is derived, which depends on the topology of the substrate and on the chosen value of γ. While the formalism imposes no restriction on the substrate, being applicable from ordered Euclidean lattices to complex networks, results for the cycle graph and two-dimensional torus are highlighted. It is also shown that, based on the previously derived probability function, MSD values resulting from direct numerical simulations agree quite well with those solely obtained within the MC framework.

Optimizing diffusion in multiplexes by maximizing layer dissimilarity.

Diffusion in a multiplex depends on the specific link distribution between the nodes in each layer, but also on the set of the intralayer and interlayer diffusion coefficients. In this work we investigate, in a quantitative way, the efficiency of multiplex diffusion as a function of the topological similarity among multiplex layers. This similarity is measured by the distance between layers, taken among the pairs of layers. Results are presented for a simple two-layer multiplex, where one of the layers is held fixed, while the other one can be rewired in a controlled way in order to increase or decrease the interlayer distance. The results indicate that, for fixed values of all intra- and interlayer diffusion coefficients, a large interlayer distance generally enhances the global multiplex diffusion, providing a topological mechanism to control the global diffusive process. For some sets of networks, we develop an algorithm to identify the most sensitive nodes in the rewirable layer, so that changes in a small set of connections produce a drastic enhancement of the global diffusion of the whole multiplex system.

In vitro and in vivo development of mice morulae after storage in non-frozen conditions.

BACKGROUND: Interchange of genetically modified (GM) mice between laboratories using embryos provides several advantages. Not only is transport stress avoided, but also the health status of the recipient colony is not compromised. Embryos do not need to be shipped in frozen stage, which requires expensive packaging in addition to a certain degree of expertise in order to freeze and thaw them correctly. The aim of this study was to examine different storage conditions and their effect on embryo viability in order to establish the feasibility of practical, non-frozen conditions for embryo shipment. METHODS: Mouse morulae developed in vivo (collected from donors 2.5d post coitum) or in vitro (zygotes cultured until morulae stage) were stored, combining two different media (KSOMeq or KSOM-H) and temperatures (4 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C) throughout 24 or 48 hours. After storage in vitro viability was assessed determining percentage of development to blastocyst and total cell number. In vivo viability was determined based on the number of implantations and living fetuses after embryo transfer of stored embryos. The storage effect at the molecular level was assessed by studying a gene pool involved in early development by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: In vivo-produced morulae stored for 24 hours did not show differences in development up to the blastocyst stage, regardless of the storage type. Even though a decrease in the total cell number in vivo was observed, embryo development after embryo transfer was not affected. All 24 hour storage conditions tested provided a similar number of implantations and fetuses at day 14 of pregnancy. Morulae obtained from in vitro embryo culture collected at the 1-cell stage showed a decreased ability to develop to blastocyst after 24 hours of storage at 15degrees C both in KSOMeq and KSOM-H. Concomitantly, a significant decrease of embryo implantation rates after transfer to recipients was also found. In order to further characterize the effect of non-frozen storage combining a molecular approach with the ordinary in vitro culture evaluation, embryos collected at the morula stage were submitted to the same storage conditions described throughout 48 hours. In vitro culture of those embryos showed a significant decrease in their developmental rate to blastocyst in both KSOMeq and KSOM-H at 15degrees C, which also affected the total number of cells. Gene transcription studies confirmed significant alterations in retrotransposons (Erv4 and Iap) after 48 h of storage at 15degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that both KSOMeq and KSOM-H can be equally used, and that several temperature conditions allow good survival rates in vitro and in vivo. Some of these storage conditions can substitute freezing in order to maintain embryo viability for 24-48 hours, providing a reliable and less demanding technical alternative for embryo interchanges.

Los factores básicos condicionantes y las capacidades de auto cuidado de los adultos maduros con hipertensión arterial / The basic conditioning factors and the self-care abilities of mature adults with arterial hypertension / Os fatores condicionantes básicos e as habilidades de autocuidado de adultos maduros com hipertensão arterial

Problema: Hipertensión arteria es una enfermedad cardiovascular que ha aumentado su frecuencia prevalencia, afectando principalmente a los adultos a nivel mundial, lo cual es debido entere otras cosas a la falta de prevención de riesgos y daños. Propósito y objetivo general: Analizar la relación existente entre los factores básicos condicionantes y las capacidades de auto cuidado de los adultos maduros con hipertensión arterial. Material y métodos: diseño: descriptivo, transversal, analítico y correlacional. Muestreo fue no probalístico y la selección por convenencia; la muestra la constituyeron 100 adultos maduros con hipertensión arterial. La recolección de datos se realizó a través de una entrevista estructurada con consentimiento informado, que costó de 64 ítems, alcanzado validez de contenido y una confiabilidad por Alfa de Cronbach de 0,8236 en la escala B. Análisis estadístico, se realizó con el paquete SPSS, versión 11 aplicando el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y Spearman. Resultados y conclusiones: Análisis realizado con el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson, se concluyó que existe una baja correlación lineal entre: enfermedades asociadas a la hipertensión arterial con las capacidades generales para el auto cuidado (rp=,255,p=,010), días a la semana que fuma el adulto maduro con las capacidades físicas para el auto cuidado (rp=.212, p=,034). En el análisis realizado con el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, se concluyó que existe una baja correlación lineal entre: asistencia a citas para el control de la hipertensión arterial con las capacidades generales para el auto cuidado (rs=,302. p=,002) y grado de estrés percibido por la ocupación con las capacidades psicológicas para el auto cuidado (rs=-,213, p=,033).

Problem: Arterial hypertension is a cardiovascular disease that has increased its prevalence frequency, affecting mainly adults worldwide, which is due to other things due to the lack of prevention of risks and damages. Purpose and general objective: To analyze the existing relationship between the basic conditioning factors and the self-care capacities of mature adults with arterial hypertension. Material and methods: design: descriptive, transversal, analytical and correlational. Sampling was not probalistic and the seleccilón by convention; The sample consisted of 100 mature adults with arterial hypertension. The data collection was carried out through a structured interview with informed consent, which cost 64 items, reached content validity and reliability by Cronbach's alpha of 0.8236 on the B scale. Statistical analysis was performed with the package SPSS, version 11 applying the correlation coefficient of Pearson and Spearman. Results and conclusions: Analysis performed with the Pearson correlation coefficient, it was concluded that there is a low linear correlation between: diseases associated with arterial hypertension and general capacities for self-care (rp =, 255, p =, 010), days a week that the mature adult smokes with the physical capacities for self-care (rp = .212, p =, 034). In the analysis performed with Spearman's coefficient of correlation, it was concluded that there is a low linear correlation between: attendance at appointments for the control of arterial hypertension with the general capacities for self-care (rs =, 302. p =, 002) and degree of stress perceived by the occupation with the psychological capacities for self-care (rs = -, 213, p =, 033).

Problema: A hipertensão arterial é uma doença cardiovascular que tem aumentado sua frequência de prevalência, afetando principalmente adultos em todo o mundo, o que se deve a outras coisas devido à falta de prevenção de riscos e danos. Objetivo e objetivo geral: Analisar a relação existente entre os fatores condicionantes básicos e as capacidades de autocuidado de adultos maduros com hipertensão arterial. Material e métodos: design: descritivo, transversal, analítico e correlacional. A amostragem não foi probalística e o seleccilón por convenção; A amostra consistiu em 100 adultos maduros com hipertensão arterial. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista estruturada, com consentimento informado, que custou 64 itens, alcançou validade de conteúdo e confiabilidade pelo alfa de Cronbach de 0,8236 na escala B. A análise estatística foi realizada com o pacote SPSS, versão 11 aplicando o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e Spearman. Resultados e conclusões: Análise realizada com o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, concluiu-se que existe uma baixa correlação linear entre: doenças associadas à hipertensão arterial e capacidades gerais de autocuidado (rp =, 255, p =, 010), dias uma semana que o adulto maduro fuma com as capacidades físicas para o autocuidado (rp = .212, p =, 034). Na análise com o coeficiente corelación Spearman, concluiu-se que existe uma correlação linear de baixa entre: (. Rs = 302 p = 0,002) mantendo compromissos para controlar a hipertensão com a capacidade geral de auto-assistência e grau de estresse percebido pela ocupação com as capacidades psicológicas para o autocuidado (rs = -, 213, p =, 033).

Highly efficient lentiviral-mediated human cytokine transgenesis on the NOD/scid background.

Human neo-organ formation from stem cells can only be assayed by in vivo xenotransplantation. The human nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (HuNOD/scid) CD34+ cell transplantation is a model that allows examination of hematopoietic tissue formation, although human hematopoietic cell maturation is abortive. Conventional humanization of the cytokine microenvironment has depended on generation of human cytokine-transgenic mice in strains appropriate for conventional plasmid microinjection, followed by backcrossing, a costly and time-consuming approach. Lentiviral vector infection of single-cell embryos was recently reported to produce transgenic animals. Using this approach, we have generated direct human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) transgenic mice from lentivirus-microinjected NOD/scid embryos, with 68% efficiency and 100% penetrance; this allowed us to obtain NOD/scid transgenic mice with considerable savings of resources. This powerful technique should assist in producing novel mouse models for the study of human blood cell lineage development and other human neo-organs from stem cell xenotransplantation for which a similar "humanization" rationale may be required.

Absence of CCR8 does not impair the response to ovalbumin-induced allergic airway disease.

Interaction of chemokines with their specific receptors results in tight control of leukocyte migration and positioning. CCR8 is a chemokine receptor expressed mainly in CD4(+) single-positive thymocytes and Th2 cells. We generated CCR8-deficient mice (CCR8(-/-)) to study the in vivo role of this receptor, and describe in this study the CCR8(-/-) mouse response in OVA-induced allergic airway disease using several models, including an adoptive transfer model and receptor-blocking experiments. All CCR8(-/-) mice developed a pathological response similar to that of wild-type animals with respect to bronchoalveolar lavage cell composition, peripheral blood and bone marrow eosinophilia, lung infiltrates, and Th2 cytokine levels in lung and serum. The results contrast with a recent report using one of the OVA-induced asthma models studied here. Similar immune responses were also observed in CCR8(-/-) and wild-type animals in a different model of ragweed allergen-induced peritoneal eosinophilic inflammation, with an equivalent number of eosinophils and analogous increased levels of Th2 cytokines in peritoneum and peripheral blood. Our results show that allergic diseases course without critical CCR8 participation, and suggest that further work is needed to unravel the in vivo role of CCR8 in Th2-mediated pathologies.