Renal expression and urinary excretion of aquaporin-2 in postobstructive uropathy in rats.

This work assessed the time course of water renal management together with aquaporin-2 (AQP2) kidney expression and urinary AQP2 levels (AQP2u) in obstructive nephropathy. Adult male Wistar rats were monitored after 1, 2, and 7 days of bilateral ureteral release (bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO); BUO-1, BUO-2 and BUO-7). Renal water handling was evaluated using conventional clearance techniques. AQP2 levels were assessed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical techniques. AQP2 expression in apical membranes was downregulated in BUO-1 rats and upregulated both in BUO-2 and BUO-7 animals. AQP2 protein expression in whole cell lysate fraction from kidney cortex and medulla were significantly decreased in all the experimental groups. Concomitantly, mRNA levels of AQP2 decreased in renal medulla of all groups and in renal cortex from BUO-1; however, in renal cortex from BUO-2 and BUO-7 a recovery and an increase in the level of AQP2 mRNA were, respectively, observed. BUO-7 group showed a significant increase in AQP2u. The alterations observed in apical membranes AQP2 expression could explain, at least in part, the evolution time of water kidney management in the postobstructive phase of BUO. Additionally, the AQP2u increase after 7 days of ureteral release may be postulated as a biomarker of improvement in the kidney function.

High-intensity interval training followed by postexercise cold-water immersion does not alter angiogenic circulating cells, but increases circulating endothelial cells.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) induces vascular adaptations that might be attenuated by postexercise cold-water immersion (CWI). Circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) participate in the vascular adaptations and circulating endothelial cells (CEC) indicate endothelial damage. CAC and CEC are involved in vascular adaptation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate postexercise CWI during HIIT on CAC and CEC and on muscle angiogenesis-related molecules. Seventeen male subjects performed 13 HIIT sessions followed by 15 min of passive recovery (n = 9) or CWI at 10 °C (n = 8). HIIT comprised cycling (8-12 bouts, 90%-110% peak power). The first and the thirteenth sessions were similar (8 bouts at 90% of peak power). Venous blood was drawn before exercise (baseline) and after the recovery strategy (postrecovery) in the first (pretraining) and in the thirteenth (post-training) sessions. For CAC and CEC identification lymphocyte surface markers (CD133, CD34, and VEGFR2) were used. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were performed pre- and post-training for protein (p-eNOSser1177) and gene (VEGF and HIF-1) expression analysis related to angiogenesis. CAC was not affected by HIIT or postexercise CWI. Postexercise CWI increased acute and baseline CEC number. Angiogenic protein and genes were not differently modulated by post-CWI. HIIT followed by either recovery strategy did not alter CAC number. Postexercise CWI increased a marker of endothelial damage both acutely and chronically, suggesting that this postexercise recovery strategy might cause endothelial damage. Novelty HIIT followed by CWI did not alter CAC. HIIT followed by CWI increased CEC. Postexercise CWI might cause endothelial damage.

Estrategias para disminuir diarreas parasitosis y anemia en menores de cinco años zona altoandina Perú / Strategies to reduce diarrhea parasitosis and anemia in children under five years high Andean area Peru / Estratégias para reduzir diarréia, parasitoses e anemia em menores de cinco anos na região altoandina Peru / Stratégies pour réduire la diarrhée parasitose et l'anémie chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans dans la région andine du Pérou

Resumen Objetivo: Proponer un modelo de intervención para disminuir casos de diarrea, parasitosis y anemia en menores de 5 años. Materiales y Métodos: El trabajo tiene dos partes, una diagnóstica y la otra es propositiva. La primera se refiere a un programa de intervención, de diseño pre experimental con pre y pos prueba. Participaron 40 niños. Para el grupo experimental se realizó un programa de intervención. La efectividad del programa se identificó con la prueba estadística de T-Student y Mc Nemar, según prueba de normalidad. La parte propositiva corresponde al Modelo de intervención con estrategias, basado en el enfoque filosófico de la Concepción Metodológica Dialéctica y el pensamiento de Enrique Pichón Riviére. Resultados: En la fase diagnóstica, para el caso de anemia el grupo experimental demostró disminución con diferencia bilateral de 0,00 con p<0,05. Para el caso de parasitosis intestinal y diarreas el grupo experimental presentó disminución con diferencia bilateral de 0,001 con p<0,05. La fase propositiva corresponde al Modelo de intervención cuyos pilares son: Educación y diálogo, cambio conductual, empoderamiento y gestión intersectorial. Conclusiones: El modelo de intervención con estrategias preventivas, basado en la experiencia del programa desarrollado, permitirá disminuir casos de diarreas, parasitosis y anemia en menores de cinco años.

Abstract Objective: To propose an intervention model to reduce cases of diarrhea, parasites and anemia in children under 5 years of age. Method: This work has two parts, one diagnostic and the other is proactive. The first refers to an intervention program, pre-experimental design with pre and post test. 40 children participated. For the experimental group an intervention program was carried out. The effectiveness of the program was identified with the statistical test of T-Student and Mc Nemar, according to the normality test. The purposive part corresponds to the Intervention Model with strategies, based on the philosophical approach of the Dialectical Methodological Conception and the thinking of Enrique Pichón Riviére. Results: In the diagnostic phase, in the case of anemia, the experimental group showed a decrease with a bilateral difference of 0.00 with p <0.05. In the case of intestinal parasitosis and diarrhea, the experimental group showed a decrease with a bilateral difference of 0.001 with p <0.05. The purposed phase corresponds to the intervention model whose pillars are: education and dialogue, behavioral change, empowerment and intersectoral management. Conclusions: The intervention model with preventive strategies, based on the experience of the developed program, will allow to reduce cases of diarrhea, parasitosis and anemia in children under five years.

Resumo Objetivo: Propor um modelo de intervenção para reduzir os casos de diarreia, parasitoses e anemia em crianças menores de 5 anos de idade. Método: O trabalho tem duas partes, uma diagnóstica e outra de intervenção. O primeiro refere-se a um programa de intervenção, com desenho pré-experimental com pré e pós teste. Participaram 40 crianças. Para o grupo experimental foi realizado um programa de intervenção. A eficácia do programa verificou-se através do teste estatístico de T-Student e Mc Nemar, de acordo com o teste de normalidade. A parte propositiva corresponde ao Modelo de Intervenção com estratégias, baseado na abordagem filosófica da Conceção Metodológica Dialética e no pensamento de Enrique Pichón Riviére. Resultados: Na fase diagnóstica, no caso de anemia, o grupo experimental apresentou uma diminuição com uma diferença bilateral de 0,00 com p <0,05. No caso de parasitose intestinal e da diarreia, o grupo experimental apresentou uma diminuição com diferença bilateral de 0,001 com p <0,05. A fase propositiva corresponde ao modelo de intervenção cujos pilares são: educação e diálogo, mudança de comportamento, empoderamento e gestão intersetorial. Conclusões: O modelo de intervenção com estratégias preventivas, baseado na experiência do programa desenvolvido, permitirá reducir os casos de diarreia, parasitose e anemia em crianças menores de cinco anos de idade.

Résumé Objectif: Proposer un modèle d'intervention pour réduire les cas de diarrhée, parasitose et anémie chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans. Méthode: ce travail comporte deux parties, l'une diagnostique et l'autre proactive La première partie fait référence à un programme d'intervention, à une conception pré-expérimentale avec pré-test et post-test. 40 enfants ont participé. Pour le groupe expérimental, un programme d'intervention a été réalisé. L'efficacité du programme a été identifiée avec le test statistique de T-Student et Mc Nemar, selon le test de normalité. La partie proposition correspond au modèle d'intervention avec des stratégies, basé sur l'approche philosophique de la conception méthodologique dialectique et de la pensée d'Enrique Pichón Riviére. Résultats: Dans la phase de diagnostic, dans le cas d'anémie, le groupe expérimental a montré une diminution avec une différence bilatérale de 0,00 avec p <0,05. Dans le cas de parasitose intestinale et de diarrhée, le groupe expérimental a montré une diminution avec une différence bilatérale de 0,001 avec p <0,05. La phase proposée correspond au modèle d'intervention dont les piliers sont: l'éducation et le dialogue, le changement de comportement, l'autonomisation et la gestion intersectorielle. Conclusions: Le modèle d'intervention avec stratégies préventives, basé sur l'expérience du programme développé, permettra de réduire les cas de diarrhée, parasitose et anémie chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans.

Arsenic-hypertolerant and arsenic-reducing bacteria isolated from wells in Tucumán, Argentina.

Arsenic-hypertolerant bacteria were isolated from arsenic-contaminated well water from the village of Los Pereyra in Tucumán province, Argentina. Microorganisms that biotransform arsenic are a major factor in arsenic mobilization in contaminated aquifers. Groundwater analyses showed a level of arsenic contamination (mean concentration of 978 µg·L-1) that exceeds the safe drinking water limit of 10 µg·L-1 recommended by the World Health Organization and the Argentine Food Code. There was considerable spatial variability in the concentration of arsenic in each of the wells analyzed and in the distribution of the major anions HCO3-, SO42-, and Cl-. Eighteen bacterial strains were characterized. Six strains belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum were able to grow in media with 20 mmol·L-1 As(III) or 200 mmol·L-1 As(V) and were also highly resistant to Cr, Cd, and Cu. Their ability to biotransform arsenic was examined by speciation of the products by high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, two strains, Brevibacterium sp. strain AE038-4 and Microbacterium sp. strain AE038-20, were capable of aerobic arsenate reduction, which suggests that these strains could increase the mobility of arsenic by formation of more mobile As(III).

An arboreal spider protects its offspring by diving into the water of tank bromeliads.

Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae) individuals frequently live in association with tank bromeliads, including Aechmea bracteata, in Quintana Roo (Mexico). Whereas C. salei females without egg sacs hunt over their entire host plant, females carrying egg sacs settle above the A. bracteata reservoirs they have partially sealed with silk. There they avoid predators that use sight to detect their prey, as is known for many bird species. Furthermore, if a danger is more acute, these females dive with their egg sacs into the bromeliad reservoir. An experiment showed that this is not the case for males or females without egg sacs. In addition to the likely abundance of prey found therein, the potential of diving into the tank to protect offspring may explain the close association of this spider with bromeliads. These results show that, although arboreal, C. salei evolved a protective behavior using the water of tank bromeliads to protect offspring.

Need for certification of household water treatment products: examples from Haiti.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate four household water treatment (HWT) products currently seeking approval for distribution in Haiti, through the application of a recently-developed national HWT product certification process. METHODS: Four chemical treatment products were evaluated against the certification process validation stage by verifying international product certifications confirming treatment efficacy and reviewing laboratory efficacy data against WHO HWT microbiological performance targets; and against the approval stage by confirming product composition, evaluating treated water chemical content against national and international drinking water quality guidelines and reviewing packaging for dosing ability and usage directions in Creole. RESULTS: None of the four evaluated products fulfilled validation or approval stage requirements. None was certified by an international agency as efficacious for drinking water treatment, and none had data demonstrating its ability to meet WHO HWT performance targets. All product sample compositions differed from labelled composition by >20%, and no packaging included complete usage directions in Creole. CONCLUSIONS: Product manufacturers provided information that was inapplicable, did not demonstrate product efficacy, and was insufficient to ensure safe product use. Capacity building is needed with country regulatory agencies to objectively evaluate HWT products. Products should be internationally assessed against WHO performance targets and also locally approved, considering language, culture and usability, to ensure effective HWT.

The single water-surface sweep estimation method accurately estimates very low (n = 4) to low-moderate (n = 25-100) and high (n > 100) Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) pupae numbers in large water containers up to 13 times faster than the exhaustive sweep and total count method and without any sediment contamination.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm that a single water-surface sweep-net collection coupled with three calibration factors (2.6, 3.0 and 3.5 for 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 water levels, respectively) (WSCF) could accurately estimate very low to high Aedes aegypti pupae numbers in water containers more rapidly than the exhaustive 5-sweep and total count (ESTC) method recommended by WHO. METHODS: Both methods were compared in semi-field trials using low (n = 25) to moderate (n = 50-100) pupae numbers in a 250-l drum at 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 water levels, and by their mean-time determinations using 200 pupae in three 220- to 1024-l water containers at these water levels. Accuracy was further assessed using 69.1% (393/569) of the field-based drums and tanks which contained <100 pupae. RESULTS: The WSCF method accurately estimated total populations in the semi-field trials up to 13.0 times faster than the ESTC method (all P < 0.001); no significant differences (all P-values ≥ 0.05) were obtained between the methods for very low (n = 4) to low-moderate (n = 25-100) and high (n > 100) pupae numbers/container and without sediment disturbance. CONCLUSION: The simple WSCF method sensitively, accurately and robustly estimated total pupae numbers in their principal breeding sites worldwide, containers with >20 l water volumes, significantly (2.7- to 13.0-fold: all P-values <0.001) faster than the ESTC method for very low to high pupae numbers/container without contaminating the clean water by sediment disturbance which is generated using the WHO-recommended ESTC method. The WSCF method seems ideal for global community-based surveillance and control programmes.

Postexercise rehydration: potassium-rich drinks versus water and a sports drink.

Fluid retention, thirst quenching, tolerance, and palatability of different drinks were assessed. On 4 different days, 12 healthy, physically active volunteers (24.4 ± 3.2 years old, 74.75 ± 11.36 kg body mass (mean ± S.D)), were dehydrated to 2.10% ± 0.24% body mass by exercising in an environmental chamber (32.0 ± 0.4 °C dry bulb, 53.8 ± 5.2% relative humidity). Each day they drank 1 of 4 beverages in random order: fresh coconut water (FCW), bottled water (W), sports drink (SD), or potassium-rich drink (NEW); volume was 120% of weight loss. Urine was collected and perceptions self-reported for 3 h. Urine output was higher (p < 0.05) for W (894 ± 178 mL) than SD (605 ± 297 mL) and NEW (599 ± 254 mL). FCW (686 ± 250 mL) was not different from any other drink (p > 0.05). Fluid retention was higher for SD than W (68.2% ± 13.0% vs. 51.3% ± 12.6%, p = 0.013), but not for FCW and NEW (62.5% ± 15.4% and 65.9% ± 15.4%, p > 0.05). All beverages were palatable and well tolerated; none maintained a positive net fluid balance after 3 h, but deficit was greater in W versus SD (p = 0.001). FCW scored higher for sweetness (p = 0.03). Thirst increased immediately after exercise but returned to baseline after drinking a small volume (p < 0.0005). In conclusion, additional potassium in FCW and NEW did not result in additional rehydration benefits over those already found in a conventional sports drink with sodium.

Biochemical and physiological responses of oil palm to bud rot caused by Phytophthora palmivora.

In recent years, global consumption of palm oil has increased significantly, reaching almost 43 million tons in 2010. The sustainability of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cultivation has been compromised because of the bud rot disease whose initial symptoms are caused by Phytophthora palmivora. There was a significant incidence of the disease, from an initial stage 1 of the disease to the highest stage 5, that affected photosynthetic parameters, content of pigments, sugars, polyamines, enzymatic antioxidant activities, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) and ß-(1,3) glucanase (ß-Gluc, EC 3.2.1.39). In healthy palms photosynthesis was 13.29 µmol CO2 m(-2) s(-1) in average, while in stage 5 the average photosynthesis was around 3.66 µmol CO2 m(-2) s(-1). Additionally, total chlorophyll was reduced by half at the last stage of the disease. On the contrary, the contents of putrescine, spermine and spermidine increased three, nine and twelve times with respect to stage 5, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and ß-(1,3) glucanase showed an increase as the severity of the disease increased, with the latter increasing from 0.71 EAU in healthy palms to 2.60 EAU in plants at stage 5 of the disease. The peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) enzymatic activity and the content of spermidine were the most sensitive indicators of disease.