Morphological characterization of blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) seasonal testicular variations in captivity.

The reproduction of monogamous wild birds in captivity it`s difficult and the apparent low fertility in males requires more investigations. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that wild bird species in captivity would present low reproductive potential, through the analysis of the morphological characteristics of Ara ararauna testicles, maintained in captivity, correlating them with the climate variations in the Cerrado Biome. For that, testicles were captured in April (dry) and October (rainy). The right and left testicles showed mean weight, gonadosomatic index, longer axis, and volume similar between the dry and rainy season. Only the shorter axis demonstrated higher values during the rainy season. The morphometric variables of the seminiferous tubules have also higher values during the rainy season. By these histological and morphometric characteristics of the seminiferous epithelium we can conclude that, during the rainy season, the testicles were in gonadal recrudescence, which precedes the reproduction phase. During the dry season, the testicles were in the rest phase of the seminiferous epithelium. Therefore, we concluded that the species in captivity, under Cerrado environmental conditions, have kept their reproductive potential, presenting a complete spermatogenic cycle during the rainy season, which can guarantee the species perpetuation.

Music therapy intervention in cardiac autonomic modulation, anxiety, and depression in mothers of preterms: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Mothers of preterm infants often have symptoms of anxiety and depression, recognized as risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and associated with low rates of heart rate variability (HRV). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of music therapy intervention on the autonomic control of heart rate, anxiety, and depression in mothers. METHODS: Prospective randomized clinical trial including 21 mothers of preterms admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital, recruited from August 2015 to September 2017, and divided into control group (CG; n = 11) and music therapy group (MTG; n = 10). Participants underwent anxiety and depression evaluation, as well as measurements of the intervals between consecutive heartbeats or RR intervals for the analysis of HRV at the first and the last weeks of hospitalization of their preterms. Music therapy sessions lasting 30-45 min were individually delivered weekly using receptive techniques. The mean and standard deviation of variables were obtained and the normality of data was analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The paired sample t-test or Wilcoxon test were employed to calculate the differences between variables before and after music therapy intervention. The correlations anxiety versus heart variables and depression versus heart variables were established using Spearman correlation test. Fisher's exact test was used to verify the differences between categorical variables. A significance level of p < 0.05 was established. Statistical analysis were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20. RESULTS: Participants in MTG had an average of seven sessions of music therapy, and showed improvement in anxiety and depression scores and autonomic indexes of the time domain (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between depression and parasympathetic modulation using linear (r = - 0.687; p = 0.028) and nonlinear analyses (r = - 0.689; p = 0.027) in MTG. CONCLUSION: Music therapy had a significant and positive impact on anxiety and depression, acting on prevention of cardiovascular diseases, major threats to modern society. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (no. RBR-3x7gz8 ). Retrospectively registered on November 17, 2017.

The Newly Synthesized Pyrazole Derivative 5-(1-(3 Fluorophenyl)-1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2H-Tetrazole Reduces Blood Pressure of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats via NO/cGMO Pathway.

The search for new antihypertensive drugs has grown in recent years because of high rate of morbidity among hypertensive patients and several side effects that are associated with the first-line medications. The current study sought to investigate the antihypertensive effect of a newly synthesized pyrazole derivative known as 5-(1-(3 fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2H-tetrazole (LQFM-21). Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used to evaluate the effect of LQFM-21 on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), renal vascular conductance (RVC), arterial vascular conductance (AVC), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) index, and vascular reactivity. Acute intravenous (iv) administration of LQFM-21 (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg kg-1) reduced MAP and HR, and increased RVC and AVC. Chronic oral administration of LQFM-21 (15 mg kg-1) for 15 days reduced MAP without altering BRS. The blockade of muscarinic receptors and nitric oxide synthase by intravenous infusion of atropine and L-NAME, respectively, attenuated cardiovascular effects of LQFM-21. In addition, ex vivo experiments showed that LQFM-21 induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated aortic rings from SHR. This effect was blocked by guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (ODQ) and L-NAME. These findings suggest the involvement of muscarinic receptor and NO/cGMP pathway in the antihypertensive and vasodilator effects of LQFM-21.

Associations Between Heart Rate Recovery Dynamics With Estradiol Levels in 20 to 60 Year-Old Sedentary Women.

It is hypothesized that estradiol levels, as well as aging, influence cardiac autonomic function in women. The main aim of this study was to test the correlations between heart rate recovery (HRR) dynamics, as a proxy of cardiac autonomic function, with estradiol levels and age in women. This cross-sectional study involved 44 healthy women. Heart rate (HR) data were obtained beat-by-beat during the entire experiment. Maximal incremental exercise testing (IET) on a cycle ergometer was performed followed by 6 min of recovery. During the IET recovery period, the overall HRR dynamics were evaluated by exponential data modeling (time constant "τ") where shorter τ indicates faster HRR adjustment. Considering the cardiac autonomic complexity, HRR dynamics were also evaluated by delta (Δ) analysis considering different HR data intervals. The relationship between HRR dynamics, estradiol levels and age was tested by Pearson product-moment correlation. The overall HRR dynamics (i.e., τ) were statistically correlated with age (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) and estradiol levels (r = -0.37, p = 0.01). The Δ analysis showed that the slower overall HRR associated with aging was a consequence of slower dynamics occurring within the 45-210 s interval, indicating slower sympathetic withdrawal. In conclusion, aging effects on HRR in women seems to be correlated with a slower sympathetic withdrawal. In addition, the cardioprotective effect previously associated with estradiol seems not to influence the autonomic modulation during exercise recovery periods in women.

Global change impacts on large-scale biogeographic patterns of marine organisms on Atlantic oceanic islands.

Past climate changes provide important clues for advancement of studies on current global change biology. We have tested large-scale biogeographic patterns through four marine groups from twelve Atlantic Ocean archipelagos and searched for patterns between species richness/endemism and littoral area, age, isolation, latitude and mean annual sea-surface temperatures. Species richness is strongly correlated with littoral area. Two reinforcing effects take place during glacial episodes: i) species richness is expected to decrease (in comparison with interglacial periods) due to the local disappearance of sandy/muddy-associated species; ii) because littoral area is minimal during glacial episodes, area per se induces a decrease on species richness (by extirpation/extinction of marine species) as well as affecting speciation rates. Maximum speciation rates are expected to occur during the interglacial periods, whereas immigration rates are expected to be higher at the LGM. Finally, sea-level changes are a paramount factor influencing marine biodiversity of animals and plants living on oceanic islands.

Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and the Kinetics of Heart Rate Responses in the On- and Off-Transient during Exercise in Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Objective: To test whether women with metabolic syndrome (MS) have impairments in the on- and off-transients during an incremental test and to study whether any of the MS components are independently associated with the observed responses. Research Design and Methods: Thirty-six women aged 35-55 years were divided into a group with MS (MSG, n = 19) and a control group (CG, n = 17). R-R intervals (RRi) and heart rate variability (HRV) were calculated on a beat-to-beat basis and the heart rate (HR) at the on- and off-transient were analyzed during an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Results: MSG showed lower aerobic capacity and lower parasympathetic cardiac modulation at rest compared with CG. HR values in on-transient phase were significantly lower in MSG compared with CG. The exponential amplitudes "amp" and the parameters "τ" [speed of heart rate recovery (HRR)] were lower in MSG. MSG exhibited higher HR values in comparison to CG during the off-transient indicating a slower HRR. In MSG, there was an inverse and significant correlation between fasting plasma vs. ΔF and glucose vs. exponential "τ" of HRR dynamics. Conclusion: MS is associated with poor heart rate kinetics. The altered HR kinetics seems to be related to alterations in cardiac parasympathetic modulation, and glucose metabolism seems to be the major determinant.

Blockade of Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (RVLM) Bombesin Receptor Type 1 Decreases Blood Pressure and Sympathetic Activity in Anesthetized Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Intrathecal injection of bombesin (BBS) promoted hypertensive and sympathoexcitatory effects in normotensive (NT) rats. However, the involvement of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in these responses is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated: (1) the effects of BBS injected bilaterally into RVLM on cardiorespiratory and sympathetic activity in NT and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); (2) the contribution of RVLM BBS type 1 receptors (BB1) to the maintenance of hypertension in SHR. Urethane-anesthetized rats (1.2 g · kg(-1), i.v.) were instrumented to record mean arterial pressure (MAP), diaphragm (DIA) motor, and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). In NT rats and SHR, BBS (0.3 mM) nanoinjected into RVLM increased MAP (33.9 ± 6.6 and 37.1 ± 4.5 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05) and RSNA (97.8 ± 12.9 and 84.5 ± 18.1%, respectively; p < 0.05). In SHR, BBS also increased DIA burst amplitude (115.3 ± 22.7%; p < 0.05). BB1 receptors antagonist (BIM-23127; 3 mM) reduced MAP (-19.9 ± 4.4 mmHg; p < 0.05) and RSNA (-17.7 ± 3.8%; p < 0.05) in SHR, but not in NT rats (-2.5 ± 2.8 mmHg; -2.7 ± 5.6%, respectively). These results show that BBS can evoke sympathoexcitatory and pressor responses by activating RVLM BB1 receptors. This pathway might be involved in the maintenance of high levels of arterial blood pressure in SHR.

Do the carotid body chemoreceptors mediate cardiovascular and sympathetic adjustments induced by sodium overload in rats?

Acute plasma hypernatremia induces several cardiovascular and sympathetic responses. It is conceivable that these responses contribute to rapid sodium excretion and restoration of normal conditions. Afferent pathways mediating these responses are not entirely understood. The present study analyses the effects of acute carotid chemoreceptor inactivation on cardiovascular and sympathetic responses induced by infusion of hypertonic saline (HS). All experiments were performed on anesthetized male Wistar rats instrumented for recording of arterial blood pressure (ABP), renal blood flow (RBF) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Animals were subjected to sham surgery or carotid chemoreceptor inactivation by bilateral ligation of the carotid body artery (CBA). In sham rats (n=8), intravenous infusion of HS (3 M NaCl, 1.8 ml/kg b.wt.) elicited a transient increase (9±2mmHg) in ABP, and long lasting (30 min) increases in RBF (138±5%) and renal vascular conductance (RVC) (128±5%) with concurrent decrease in RSNA (-19±4%). In rats submitted to CBA ligation (n=8), the pressor response to HS was higher (24±2mmHg; p<0.05). However, RBF and RVC responses to HS infusion were significantly reduced (113±5% and 93±4%, respectively) while RSNA was increased (13±2%). When HS (3M NaCl, 200µl) was administrated into internal carotid artery (ICA), distinct sympathetic and cardiovascular responses were observed. In sham-group, HS infusion (3M NaCl, 200µl) into ICA promoted an increase in ABP (26±8mmHg) and RSNA (29±13%). In CBA rats, ABP (-3±5.6mmHg) remained unaltered despite sympathoinhibition (-37.6±5.4%). These results demonstrate that carotid body chemoreceptors play a role in the development of hemodynamic and sympathetic responses to acute HS infusion.

Does the median preoptic nucleus contribute to sympathetic hyperactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats?

The present study sought to determine the involvement of median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) in the regulation of the cardiovascular function and renal sympathetic activity in normotensive (NT) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). MnPO inhibition evoked by Muscimol (4mM) nanoinjections, elicited fall in MAP and renal sympathoinhibition in NT-rats. Surprisingly, in SHRs these responses were greater than in NT-rats. These results demonstrated, for the first time that MnPO was involved in the tonic control of sympathetic activity in NT and SHRs. Furthermore, our data suggest the MnPO involvement in the increased sympathetic outflow and consequent arterial hypertension observed in SHRs.

Lack of Association Between ACE Indel Polymorphism and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physically Active and Sedentary Young Women.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE), such as the indel [rs1799752] variant in intron 16, have been shown to be associated with aerobic performance of athletes and non-athletes. However, the relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness has not been always demonstrated. OBJECTIVES: The relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness was investigated in a sample of young Caucasian Brazilian women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study investigated 117 healthy women (aged 18 to 30 years) who were grouped as physically active (n = 59) or sedentary (n = 58). All subjects performed an incremental exercise test (ramp protocol) on a cycle-ergometer with 20-25 W/min increments. Blood samples were obtained for DNA extraction and to analyze metabolic and hormonal profiles. ACE indel polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fragment size analysis. RESULTS: The physically active group had higher values of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), ventilation (VE) and power output than the sedentary group (P < 0.05) at the peak of the exercise test. However, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) did not differ between groups. There was no relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory variables during the test in both the physically active and sedentary groups, even when the dominant (DD vs. D1 + 2) and recessive (2 vs. DI + DD) models of inheritance were tested. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support the concept that the genetic variation at the ACE locus contributes to the cardiorespiratory responses at the peak of exercise test in physically active or sedentary healthy women. This indicates that other factors might mediate these responses, including the physical training level of the women.

Assessment of Subjective Perceived Exertion at the Anaerobic Threshold with the Borg CR-10 Scale.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anaerobic threshold (AT) with a graphic visual method for estimating the intensity of ventilatory and metabolic exertion and to determine the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) on the Borg CR-10 scale during a continuous ramp type exercise test (CT-R). Forty healthy, physically active and sedentary young women (age 23.1 ± 3.52 years) were divided into two groups according to their fitness level: active group (AG) and sedentary group (SG) and were submitted to a CT-R on a cycloergometer with 20 to 25 W/min increments. Shortly before the end of each one-minute period, the subjects were asked to rate dyspnea (RPE-D) and leg fatigue (RPE-L) on the Borg CR-10 scale. After the AT was determined with the graphic visual method, the score that the volunteers gave on the Borg CR10 scale was verified. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests with the significance level set at 5%. The mean ratings of RPE-L and RPE-D at the AT level were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Significant correlations were found between VO2, heart rate (HR), power output and RPE for both groups. The muscular and respiratory RPE, according to the Borg CR-10 scale, were correlated with the AT, suggesting that scores close to 5, which correspond to a "strong" perception, may be used as parameters for quantifying aerobic exercise intensity for active and sedentary individuals. The similar perception of exercise intensity, which corresponded to the AT of different individuals, makes it possible to prescribe exercise at an intensity equivalent to the AT by means of the RPE. Key pointsInterest in quantitative and systematic determination of the AT is growing, however, qualitative studies measure the AT by perceived exertion, are still unsubstantial.Borg CR-10 scale is a category scale with ratio properties consisting of numbers related to verbal expressions, which allows rate comparison between intensities as well as a determination of intensity levels.Scores close to 5 expressed on the Borg CR-10 scale, which correspond to a "strong" perception, may be used as parameters for quantifying the aerobic exercise intensity of both active and sedentary women.