Efectos de la actividad locomotriz voluntaria gestacional sobre la morfología cardiaca en crías murinas / Effects of gestational voluntary locomotor activity on cardiac morphology in murine offspring

RESUMEN: El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar los efectos de la actividad locomotriz voluntaria gestacional, como un tipo de entrenamiento físico, sobre la morfología de la bomba cardíaca de la cría, en modelo murino de la cepa CF-1. 12 hembras gestantes fueron divididas aleatoriamente en un grupo control y un grupo que realizó actividad locomotriz voluntaria, accediendo a una rueda de actividad durante los primero 12 días de gestación. Se evaluó la morfología cardiaca mediante cortes transversales, midiendo espesor y área de las paredes del ventrículo derecho, ventrículo izquierdo y septum, tanto en valores absolutos como en valores relativos a la masa corporal del individuo. Se observó que la masa corporal de las crías control (GC) fue significativamente mayor que las del grupo cuyas hembras accedieron a la rueda de actividad (GE) (p<0.01). Solo hubo diferencias en los valores absolutos de espesores y áreas miocárdicas de ventrículo derecho, entre el grupo GE y GC (p<0.05), pero al evaluar los espesores y áreas relativos a la masa corporal se observó que las crías del grupo GE presentaron espesores y áreas significativamente mayores que las que grupo GC (p<0.01). En conclusión, la actividad física gestacional altera el desarrollo morfológico de la bomba cardíaca en ratones CF-1, aumentando significativamente el espesor y área de las paredes miocárdicas en relación a la masa corporal total de la cría.

SUMMARY: The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of gestational voluntary locomotor activity, as a type of physical training, on the morphology of the offspring´s heart pump, in a murine model of the CF-1 strain. Twelve (12) pregnant females were randomly divided in a control group and a group performing voluntary locomotor activity, by accessing an activity wheel during the first 12 days of gestation. Cardiac morphology was evaluated using cross sections, measuring thickness and area of the walls of the right ventricle, left ventricle, and septum, both in absolute values and values relative to the individual's body mass. It was observed that the body mass of the control pups (CG) was significantly higher than those of the group whose females accessed the activity wheel (GE) (p <0.01). Differences were observed only in absolute values of thickness and myocardial areas of the right ventricle, between the GE and GC group (p <0.05). However, when evaluating the thickness and areas relative to body mass, it was observed that the offspring of the GE group presented thicknesses and areas significantly larger than those in the GC group (p <0.01). In conclusion, gestational physical activity alters the morphological development of the heart pump in CF-1 mice, significantly increasing the thickness and area of the myocardial walls in relation to offspring total body mass.

Four Weeks of Neuromuscular Training Improve Static and Dynamic Postural Control in Overweight and Obese Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Thirty-two children with overweight or obesity were randomly divided into a neuromuscular training group (NTG) (n = 16) and a control group (CG) (n = 16). All individuals participated in the measurement of static postural control under two conditions: the double-leg stance with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The center of pressure variables was obtained. mSEBT was used for dynamic postural control. Neuromuscular training was performed twice per week and lasted 4 weeks. The results of this study indicate that 4 weeks of neuromuscular training improve static and dynamic postural control in children with excess body weight.

Inhibition of Wild Enterobacter cloacae Biofilm Formation by Nanostructured Graphene- and Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Coated Surfaces.

Although biofilm formation is a very effective mechanism to sustain bacterial life, it is detrimental in medical and industrial sectors. Current strategies to control biofilm proliferation are typically based on biocides, which exhibit a negative environmental impact. In the search for environmentally friendly solutions, nanotechnology opens the possibility to control the interaction between biological systems and colonized surfaces by introducing nanostructured coatings that have the potential to affect bacterial adhesion by modifying surface properties at the same scale. In this work, we present a study on the performance of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride coatings (h-BN) to reduce biofilm formation. In contraposition to planktonic state, we focused on evaluating the efficiency of graphene and h-BN at the irreversible stage of biofilm formation, where most of the biocide solutions have a poor performance. A wild Enterobacter cloacae strain was isolated, from fouling found in a natural environment, and used in these experiments. According to our results, graphene and h-BN coatings modify surface energy and electrostatic interactions with biological systems. This nanoscale modification determines a significant reduction in biofilm formation at its irreversible stage. No bactericidal effects were found, suggesting both coatings offer a biocompatible solution for biofilm and fouling control in a wide range of applications.

Effects of prenatal stress on conduction airway morphology / Efectos del estrés prenatal sobre la morfología de la vía aérea de conducción

SUMMARY: It is known that chronic gestational stress alters the pulmonary immune response predisposing to chronic pulmonary pathologies such as asthma, which occur with morphological alterations in both conduction and exchange airways. However, it is still unknown whether chronic gestational stress generates alterations in pulmonary morphology, specifically in the airway conduction, which predisposes to hyperreactivity or other alterations of the airway, in early postnatal stages. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of prenatal stress on the development of pulmonary conduction airway. Eight pregnant females were randomly assigned to one control group and one group submitted to restriction of movement during the last gestational week. The offspring were sacrificed on postnatal days 0 (P0) and 14 (P14), extracting the lung to conduct a histomorphological analysis of the conduction airway. In P0 an increase in the peribronchiolar smooth muscle in stressed males was observed in the conduction airway in comparison to the control (p = 0.0002); no significant differences were observed in the female or in the P14 stage. Prenatal stress produces histomorphologic changes in the conduction airway in the offspring at early postnatal stages.

RESUMEN: Se sabe que el estrés crónico gestacional altera la respuesta inmune pulmonar, predisponiendo a patologías crónicas pulmonares como el asma, que cursan con alteraciones morfológicas tanto en la vía aérea de conducción como de intercambio. Sin embargo, se desconoce aún si el estrés crónico gestacional genera alteraciones en la morfología pulmonar, específicamente en la vía aérea de conducción, que predisponga a hiperreactividad u otras alteraciones de la vía aérea, en etapas postnatales tempranas. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en analizar los efectos del estrés prenatal sobre el desarrollo de la vía aérea de conducción pulmonar. Ocho hembras preñadas fueron divididas aleatoriamente en un grupo control y otro grupo sometido a estrés por restricción de movimiento durante la última semana gestacional. Las crías fueron sacrificadas en los días postnatal 0 (P0) y 14 (P14), extrayendoles el pulmón para realizar un análisis histomorfológico de la vía aérea de conducción. En P0 se observó en la vía aérea de conducción un aumento en la musculatura lisa peribronquiolar en machos estresados en comparación al control (p=0,0002). No se observaron diferencias significativas en la crías hembra, ni en la etapa de P14. El estrés prenatal produce cambios histomorfológicos en la vía aérea de conducción en las crías de hembras estresadas, en etapas postnatales tempranas.

Effects of underwater lipus on the morphohistology of the CF-1 mice growth plate in late lactation stage / Efectos del ultrasonido subacuático sobre la morfohistología de la placa de crecimiento de ratones CF-1 en etapa de lactancia tardía

SUMMARY: Ultrasound is one of the most used tools in physiotherapy, its LIPUS modality allows to treat musculoskeletal injuries, but like the conventional ultrasound it is contraindicated its application in areas close to growth cartilage by a possible closure of this one. In the literature there is no conclusive evidence of this contraindication, so the objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of doses equivalent to underwater LIPUS on the histomorphometry of the proximal tibial epiphysis growth plate in an animal model. LIPUS was applied in underwater mode in the right pelvic limb to 8 mice in p 15 for 4 days, 2 times a day. On completion of 8 sessions the histology of the stimulated limb growth plate was sacrificed and the histology. When evaluating the histomorphometry of the plaque, a significant increase in the thickness and area of the proliferative zone stimulated with LIPUS (p = 0.048) was observed. In the hypertrophic area were observed no significant differences in thickness or areas, but in the hypertrophic area there were significant changes in the histological organization, observing a significant increase of the entire columns in the stimulated plaque (p = 0.04). LIPUS in underwater modality modifies the histomorphometry of the proximal epiphyseal PC of the tibia of rodents in the late postnatal stage, promoting proliferation and columnar organization in the proliferative and hypertrophic zone, respectively.

RESUMEN: El ultrasonido es una de las herramientas más utilizadas en fisioterapia, su modalidad LIPUS permite tratar lesiones músculo-esqueléticas, pero al igual que el ultrasonido convencional está contraindicada su aplicación en zonas próximas a cartílago de crecimiento por un posible cierre de éste. En la literatura no existe evidencia contundente de esta contraindicación, por lo cual el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos de dosis equivalentes a LIPUS subacuático sobre la histomorfometría de la placa de crecimiento de la epífisis proximal de tibia en un modelo animal. Metodología. Se aplicó LIPUS en modalidad subacuática en el miembro pélvico derecho a 8 ratones en p 15 por 4 días, 2 veces al día. Al cumplir 8 sesiones se sacrificaron y se evaluó la histología de la placa de crecimiento del miembro estimulado. Al evaluar la histomorfometría de la placa se observó un aumento significativo en el espesor y el área de la zona proliferiva estimulada con LIPUS (p=0.048). En la zona hipertrófica no se observaron diferencias significativas en el espesor ni en las áreas, pero si existieron cambios significativos en la organización histológica de la zona, observando un aumento significativo de las columnas completas en la placa estimulada (p=0,04). El LIPUS en modalidad subacuática modifica la histomorfometría de la PC epifisiaria proximal de la tibia de roedores en el etapa postnatal tardía, promoviendo la proliferación y la organización columnar en la zona proliferativa e hipertrófica, respectivamente.

Unoccupied Interface and Molecular States in Thiol and Dithiol Monolayers.

The electronic structure of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed by thiols of different lengths and dithiol molecules bound to Au(111) has been characterized. Inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES) and density functional theory have been used to describe the molecule/Au substrate system. All molecular layers display a clear signal in the IPES data at the edge of the lowest unoccupied system orbital (LUSO), roughly 3 eV above the Fermi level. There is also evidence, in both the experimental data and the calculation, of a finite density of states just below the LUSO edge, which has been recognized as localized at the Au-substrate interface. Regardless of the molecular lengths and in addition to this induced density of interface states, an apparent antibonding Au-S state has been identified in the IPES data for both molecular systems. The main difference between the electronic structures of thiol and dithiol SAMs is a shift in the energy of the antibonding state.

The Many Faces of Graphene as Protection Barrier. Performance under Microbial Corrosion and Ni Allergy Conditions.

In this work we present a study on the performance of CVD (chemical vapor deposition) graphene coatings grown and transferred on Ni as protection barriers under two scenarios that lead to unwanted metal ion release, microbial corrosion and allergy test conditions. These phenomena have a strong impact in different fields considering nickel (or its alloys) is one of the most widely used metals in industrial and consumer products. Microbial corrosion costs represent fractions of national gross product in different developed countries, whereas Ni allergy is one of the most prevalent allergic conditions in the western world, affecting around 10% of the population. We found that grown graphene coatings act as a protective membrane in biological environments that decreases microbial corrosion of Ni and reduces release of Ni2+ ions (source of Ni allergic contact hypersensitivity) when in contact with sweat. This performance seems not to be connected to the strong orbital hybridization that Ni and graphene interface present, indicating electron transfer might not be playing a main role in the robust response of this nanostructured system. The observed protection from biological environment can be understood in terms of graphene impermeability to transfer Ni2+ ions, which is enhanced for few layers of graphene grown on Ni. We expect our work will provide a new route for application of graphene as a protection coating for metals in biological environments, where current strategies have shown short-term efficiency and have raised health concerns.

Vasopressin/V2 receptor stimulates renin synthesis in the collecting duct.

Renin is synthesized in the principal cells of the collecting duct (CD), and its production is increased via cAMP in angiotensin (ANG) II-dependent hypertension, despite suppression of juxtaglomerular (JG) renin. Vasopressin, one of the effector hormones of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) via the type 2-receptor (V2R), activates the cAMP/PKA/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway and aquaporin-2 expression in principal cells of the CD. Accordingly, we hypothesized that activation of V2R increases renin synthesis via PKA/CREB, independently of ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor activation in CD cells. Desmopressin (DDAVP; 10(-6) M), a selective V2R agonist, increased renin mRNA (∼3-fold), prorenin (∼1.5-fold), and renin (∼2-fold) in cell lysates and cell culture media in the M-1 CD cell line. Cotreatment with DDAVP+H89 (PKA inhibitor) or CREB short hairpin (sh) RNA prevented this response. H89 also blunted DDAVP-induced CREB phosphorylation and nuclear localization. In 48-h water-deprived (WD) mice, prorenin-renin protein levels were increased in the renal inner medulla (∼1.4- and 1.8-fold). In WD mice treated with an ACE inhibitor plus AT1 receptor blockade, renin mRNA and prorenin protein levels were still higher than controls, while renin protein content was not changed. In M-1 cells, ANG II or DDAVP increased prorenin-renin protein levels; however, there were no further increases by combined treatment. These results indicate that in the CD the activation of the V2R stimulates renin synthesis via the PKA/CREB pathway independently of RAS, suggesting a critical role for vasopressin in the regulation of renin in the CD.

Learning Human Anatomy Using Three-Dimensional Models Made from Real-Scale Bone Pieces: Experience with the Knee Joint among Pre-Service Biology Teachers / Aprendizaje de la Anatomía Humana Utilizando Modelos Tridimensionales a Escala: Experiencia con la Articulación de Rodilla en Profesores de Biología en Formación

This study aims to assess the efficiency of using real-scale knee models to learn about the locomotor system. Participants included a total of thirty-nine second year students in a Human Anatomy class of a Biology Teaching course. One week before the intervention, a pre-test was administered to assess the students' prior knowledge. The pre-service biology teachers were provided with a real-scale plaster model of a knee bone and were subsequently required to identify and create their own model of bone, joint and muscle elements. At the end of the intervention, a post-test was performed and opinion survey, in addition to a comparison with other locomotor system structures (four images: knee joint, muscular component of lower limb, shoulder joint and pelvic bone). Students' scores increased significantly in relation to the pre-test, both among the total sample (P=0.000) and between sub-groups divided according to participant gender (male P=0.0021; female P=0.0005) as well as compared to other structures (P<0.05). Furthermore, the pre-service biology teachers showed significant increases in their scores on a Likert-type opinion survey, indicating that these types of interventions promote their motivation for the course (89.2%) as well as their learning (97.8%) and would be advisable for future students (95.5%). The results show that the use of real-scale models and associated work fosters student motivation and enhances the learning of human anatomy.

El objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia de utilizar modelos de rodilla a escala real para el aprendizaje del sistema locomotor. Los participantes incluyen un total de treinta y nueve estudiantes de segundo año de un curso de anatomía humana para estudiantes de Pedagogía en Biología y Ciencias Naturales. Una semana antes de la intervención, se administró un pre-test para evaluar los conocimientos previos de los alumnos. Luego a los profesores de biología en formación se les proporcionó un modelo de yeso a escala real de los huesos de la rodilla donde se les solicitó identificar y crear su propio modelo de elementos de huesos, articulaciones y músculos. Al final de la intervención, se realizó un post-test y una encuesta de opinión, además de una comparación con otras estructuras del aparato locomotor (cuatro imágenes: articulación de la rodilla, componente muscular del miembro inferior, articulación del hombro y el hueso de la pelvis). Los puntajes de los estudiantes aumentaron significativamente en relación con el pre-test, tanto en la muestra total (P= 0,000) y entre subgrupos divididos de acuerdo al sexo (P= 0,0021 masculino; p= 0,0005 femenino), así como también en comparación con otras estructuras del aparato locomotor (P<0,05). Por otra parte, los profesores de biología en formación mostraron altas puntuaciones en una encuesta de opinión tipo Likert, indicando que este tipo de intervenciones promueven su motivación para el curso (89,2%), así como su aprendizaje (97,8%) y que serían recomendable para los futuros estudiantes (95,5%). Los resultados muestran que el uso de modelos a escala real fomenta la motivación del estudiante y mejora el aprendizaje de la anatomía humana.

A nanomolecular approach to decrease adhesion of biofouling-producing bacteria to graphene-coated material.

BACKGROUND: Biofouling, the colonization of artificial and natural surfaces by unwanted microorganisms, has an important economic impact on a wide range of industries. Low cost antifouling strategies are typically based on biocides which exhibit a negative environmental impact, affecting surrounding organisms related and not related to biofouling. Considering that the critical processes resulting in biofouling occur in the nanoscale/microscale dimensions, in this work we present a bionanotechnological approach to reduce adhesion of biofilm-producing bacteria Halomonas spp. CAM2 by introducing single layer graphene coatings. The use of this nanomaterial has been poorly explored for antifouling application. RESULTS: Our study revealed that graphene coatings modify material surface energy and electrostatic interaction between material and bacteria. Such nanoscale surface modification determine an important reduction over resulting bacterial adhesion and reduces the expression levels of genes related to adhesion when bacteria are in contact with graphene-coated material. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that graphene coatings reduce considerably adhesion and expression levels of adhesion genes of biofilm-producing bacteria Halomonas spp. CAM2. Hydrophobic-hydrophilic interaction and repulsive electrostatic force dominate the interactions between Halomonas spp. CAM2 and material surface in saline media, impacting the final adhesion process. In addition no bactericide effect of graphene coatings was observed. The effect over biofilm formation is localized right at coated surface, in contrast to other antifouling techniques currently used, such as biocides.

Suppressing bacterial interaction with copper surfaces through graphene and hexagonal-boron nitride coatings.

Understanding biological interaction with graphene and hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) membranes has become essential for the incorporation of these unique materials in contact with living organisms. Previous reports show contradictions regarding the bacterial interaction with graphene sheets on metals. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the interaction of bacteria with copper substrates coated with single-layer graphene and h-BN. Our results demonstrate that such graphitic coatings substantially suppress interaction between bacteria and underlying Cu substrates, acting as an effective barrier to prevent physical contact. Bacteria do not "feel" the strong antibacterial effect of Cu, and the substrate does not suffer biocorrosion due to bacteria contact. Effectiveness of these systems as barriers can be understood in terms of graphene and h-BN impermeability to transfer Cu(2+) ions, even when graphene and h-BN domain boundary defects are present. Our results seem to indicate that as-grown graphene and h-BN films could successfully protect metals, preventing their corrosion in biological and medical applications.

Gold nanoparticles grown inside carbon nanotubes: synthesis and electrical transport measurements.

The hybrid structures composed of gold nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes were prepared using porous alumina membranes as templates. Carbon nanotubes were synthesized inside the pores of these templates by the non-catalytic decomposition of acetylene. The inner cavity of the supported tubes was used as nanoreactors to grow gold particles by impregnation with a gold salt, followed by a calcination-reduction process. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy techniques. The resulting hybrid products are mainly encapsulated gold nanoparticles with different shapes and dimensions depending on the concentration of the gold precursor and the impregnation procedure. In order to understand the electronic transport mechanisms in these nanostructures, their conductance was measured as a function of temperature. The samples exhibit a 'non-metallic' temperature dependence where the dominant electron transport mechanism is 1D hopping. Depending on the impregnation procedure, the inclusion of gold nanoparticles inside the CNTs can introduce significant changes in the structure of the tubes and the mechanisms for electronic transport. The electrical resistance of these hybrid structures was monitored under different gas atmospheres at ambient pressure. Using this hybrid nanostructures, small amounts of acetylene and hydrogen were detected with an increased sensibility compared with pristine carbon nanotubes. Although the sensitivity of these hybrid nanostructures is rather low compared to alternative sensing elements, their response is remarkably fast under changing gas atmospheres.

Evaluación de la percepción del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de un curso de morfología humana por parte de estudiantes de un programa para talentos académicos / Evaluation of the teaching and learning process in a human morphology course by students from an academic talents program

La alta capacidad intelectual se considera una manifestación diferencial del desarrollo cognitivo, siendo la estimulación temprana y sistemática favorecedores de su expresión y desarrollo. Es por ello, que otorgar oportunidades educativas enriquecidas es central para los los niños y niñas con talentos académicos. Esta investigación evalúa la percepción de los estudiantes frente a una metodología de enseñanza teórico-práctica en un curso dirigido a talentos académicos de enseñanza media (n=17) en el área de morfología humana. Los estudiantes formaron parte de un programa universitario de enriquecimiento extracurricular. Al final del periodo los estudiantes evaluaron los cursos mediante una encuesta referida a: i) el curso ii) el profesor, y iii) autoevaluación. Los resultados de la comparación de las evaluaciones realizadas por los estudiantes que participaron en dicho curso versus estudiantes de otros cursos (n=128) muestran diferencias significativas (p<0,05). El talento académico que presenta este tipo de estudiantes complementado con la metodología de trabajo aplicada, permite que avancen secuencialmente y acorde a sus capacidades, en un ambiente de trabajo propicio para tal desarrollo. Además, este tipo de intervenciones fomenta el estudio de la morfología humana en estudiantes con talento académico.

High intellectual capacity is considered to be a differential characteristic of cognitive development, noting that early and systematic stimuli encourages its expression and advancement. It is therefore, essential for academically talented children to be given enriched educational opportunities. This research project evaluates the students perceptions in a theoretical-practical teaching methodology in a course directed at high school academic talents in the area of human morphology. The students were part of a university program for extra-curricular enrichment. At the end of the period, the students assessed the courses by means of a survey referred to: i) the course ii) the professor and iii) self-evaluation. The results taken from the comparisons of the evaluations of the students participating in the course versus the students from other courses (n=128) showed significant differences (p<0.05). The academic talent represented by this type of student, complemented with the applied work methodology, allows the students to sequentially progress according to their capacities in an appropriate work environment for their development. Furthermore, it also encourages human morphology study in students who are academically talented.

Prenatal stress caused by movement restriction induces changes in the development of skull bone in CF-1 mice progeny / El estrés prenatal causado por restricción de movimiento induce cambios en la anatomía ósea de cráneo en la progenie de ratones CF-1

Prenatal stress is associated with changes in body weight and size, and with disorders of the skeletal bone development process. However, there is a lack of documentation on the impact of prenatal stress on skull bone anatomy during the gestation period. Therefore, this research focuses on the short-term effects of prenatal stress on the skull bone anatomy of CF-1 mice on the day of birth. Methodology: Gestating females were divided at random into two groups (control and stressed). The experimental group was subjected to the stress of movement restriction during the final week of gestation. Upon birth the body weight of the progeny was evaluated (control group, n=34; stressed group, n=29). They were then cleaned and stained with alizarin red in order to evaluate the length, width and suture spaces of the skull bone anatomy from superior and inferior views. Results: Gestational stress significantly altered the skull bone anatomy (p<0.05) of the offspring at birth in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: Prenatal stress alters the skull bone anatomy of the CF-1 mouse at birth.

El estrés prenatal se ha asociado con alteraciones en el peso y tamaño corporal, además de trastornos en el proceso de osificación del esqueleto en desarrollo. Sin embargo, existen escasos antecedentes acerca del impacto del estrés prenatal sobre la anatomía ósea craneal durante el periodo de gestación. Por lo tanto, la presente investigación estudió los efectos a corto plazo del estrés prenatal sobre la anatomía ósea craneal del ratón CF-1 en el día de nacimiento. Las hembras gestantes fueron divididas aleatoriamente en dos grupos (control y estresado), el grupo experimental fue sometido a estrés por restricción de movimiento durante la última semana de gestación. Al nacimiento se evaluó el peso corporal de la progenie (grupo control n:34; grupo estresado n:29), para posteriormente diafanizar y teñir con alizarina roja, evaluando dimensiones longitudinales, anchos y espacios suturales de la anatomía de los huesos de cráneo por la vista superior e inferior. El estrés gestacional alteró significativamente la anatomía de los huesos de cabeza ósea (p<0,05) de las crías en el momento del nacimiento con respecto a los controles. El estrés prenatal altera la anatomía de los huesos craneales del ratón CF-1 evaluado al nacer.

Maternal exercise during pregnancy ameliorates the postnatal neuronal impairments induced by prenatal restraint stress in mice.

Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that prenatal stress (PS) induces neuronal and behavioral disturbances in the offspring. In the present study, we determined whether maternal voluntary wheel running (VWR) during pregnancy could reverse the putative deleterious effects of PS on the neurodevelopment and behavior of the offspring. Pregnant CF-1 mice were randomly assigned to control, restraint stressed or restraint stressed+VWR groups. Dams of the stressed group were subjected to restraint stress between gestational days 14 and delivery, while control pregnant dams remained undisturbed in their home cages. Dams of the restraint stressed+VWR group were subjected to exercise between gestational days 1 and 17. On postnatal day 23 (P23), male pups were assigned to one of the following experimental groups: mice born from control dams, stressed dams or stressed+VWR dams. Locomotor behavior and pyramidal neuronal morphology were evaluated at P23. Animals were then sacrificed, and Golgi-impregnated pyramidal neurons of the parietal cortex were morphometrically analyzed. Here, we present two major findings: first, PS produced significantly diminished dendritic growth of parietal neurons without altered locomotor behavior of the offspring; and second, maternal VWR significantly offset morphological impairments.

Prenatal stress caused by movement restriction induces changes in the appendicular osseous development of CF-1 mice progeny / El estrés prenatal causado por restricción de movimiento induce cambios en el desarrollo óseo apendicular de la progenie de ratones CF-1

Prenatal stress has been associated with alterations in weight and body size, as well as disturbances in the process of developing skeletal ossification, occurring during childbirth and the early stages of life. However, the effect evidence of prenatal stress on bone grow thand development during the gestation period has been low; therefore, it is unknown whether these alterations are associated with potential for growth disorders Because of this, the study aims to determine the short-term effects of prenatal stress on the CF-1mouse bone structure growth in your date of birth. The female mice were divided randomly in two groups: controlled (n=2) and stressed (n=3). The latter was put under stress by means of movement restriction during the last week of gestation. Second, an evaluation of their gestational development was made, obtaining measurements of their weight. Finally, diaphanization with KOH and staining with Alizarin red was used to measure the length of their appendicular bones and their flat pelvic bones, of 53 P0 mice (25 control; 28 stressed during gestation). The stressed mice's body weight (p=0.02) and the length of their appendicular bones (radii, p=0.0011; ulnae, p= 0.0001; humeri, p=0.0001; femorae, p=0.0006; tibiae, p=0.0015) were affected significantly in contrast with the controlled group. On the other hand,there were nosignificant differences inmaternal bodyweightand length ofthe mice pelvic bones (isquium, ilium; p>0.05). The prenatal stress by means of movement restriction alters the osseous appendicular morphology of the CF-1 mouse evaluated at birth...

El estrés prenatal se ha asociado con alteraciones en el peso y el tamaño corporal, así como trastornos en el proceso osificación en el esqueleto en desarrollo, que se producen durante el parto y las primeras etapas de vida. Sin embargo, la evidencia de los efectos del estrés prenatal sobre el crecimiento de los huesos y el desarrollo durante el período de gestación ha sido baja, desconociéndose si estas alteraciones están relacionadas con trastornos del crecimiento. El objetivo fue determinar los efectos a corto plazo del estrés prenatal en la estructura ósea del ratón CF-1 en el día de nacimiento. Las hembras gestantes fueron divididas aleatoriamente en dos grupos: control (n=2) y estresado (n=3). Este último fue puesto bajo estrés por restricción de movimiento durante la última semana de gestación. Evaluando el peso corporal en la progenie al nacer (grupo control n=25; grupo estresado n=28), para posteriormente diafanizar mediante KOH y teñir con alizarina roja, midiendo la longitud de huesos largos apendiculares y huesos planos de pelvis en el plano coronal. El peso de los ratones estresados (p = 0,02) y la longitud de los huesos apendiculares fueron significativamente menores en comparación con el grupo control (radio, p = 0,0011; ulna, p = 0,0001; húmero, p = 0,0001; fémur, p = 0,0006; tibia, p = 0,0015). Por otro lado, no hubo diferencias significativas en el peso corporal de la madre y la longitud de los huesos pélvicos de las crías (isquion, íleon, p> 0,05). El estrés prenatal por restricción de movimiento altera la morfología ósea apendicular del ratón CF-1, evaluados al nacimiento...

Size effects under a strong magnetic field: Hall effect induced by electron-surface scattering on thin gold films deposited onto mica substrates under high vacuum.

We report measurements of the Hall effect performed on 4 gold films evaporated onto mica substrates where the signal arises primarily from electron-surface scattering. The measurements were performed at low temperatures T (4 K < or = T < or = 50 K) under high magnetic field strengths B (1.5 T < or = B < or = 9 T), with B oriented perpendicular to the films.