Exercise, adipokines and pediatric obesity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Adipokines are involved in the etiology of diabetes, insulin resistance, and the development of atherosclerosis and other latent-onset complications. The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of exercise interventions on adipokines in pediatric obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A computerized search was made using three databases. The analysis was restricted to studies that examined the effect of exercise interventions on adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, resistin and visfatin) in pediatric obesity (6-18 years old). Fourteen randomized controlled trials (347 youths) were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Exercise was associated with a significant increase in adiponectin (WMD=0.882 µg ml-1, 95% CI, 0.271-1.493) but did not alter leptin and resistin level. Likewise, exercise intensity and change in body fat; as well as total exercise program duration, duration of the sessions, and change in body fat all significantly influenced the effect of exercise on adiponectin and leptin, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise seems to increase adiponectin levels in childhood obesity. Our results also suggested that exercise on its own, without the concomitant presence of changes in body composition levels, does not affect leptin levels.

Housing with females increases testosterone and cortisol levels in captive groups of black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi).

The black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is a seasonal reproducer that requires a seclusiveness to copulate and has a fusion-fission social system. These features impose important restrictions to achieve reproduction of captive animals. We investigated if group composition in captive spider monkeys has any endocrine effects. We compared testosterone and cortisol concentrations during the mating season in all-male and multifemale-multimale groups to study if the former condition impairs reproductive potential and increases stress. Concentrations of testosterone and cortisol of males living with females were higher than those of all-male groups. In the multifemale-multimale condition, dominant males had the highest levels of testosterone, while the youngest males showed the highest concentrations of cortisol. Results show that males adjust well to isosexual grouping, this being an appropriate condition to keep animals when controlled reproduction is sought.

Ophthalmic manifestations of arbovirus infections in adults. / Manifestaciones oftálmicas de las infecciones arbovirales en adultos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Emerging arbovirus infections have classic symptoms such as fever, arthralgia, or rash. As some of them have ophthalmic symptoms/signs, the main objective is to evaluate whether these findings could help to clarify the clinical diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted, in which cases of adults who attended an evaluation in 2016. The general and ophthalmic symptoms were analysed on those meeting the definition of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. RESULTS: A total of 10,327 cases of arbovirosis were recorded, of which 5,388 (52.2%) were Dengue, 3,529 (34.1%) Zika, and 1,410 (13.6%) were Chikungunya. The main symptoms and signs of Dengue were: fever, headache/retro-orbital pain, arthralgia, rash, and nausea/vomiting. For Zika cases they were: exanthema, swollen glands, headache, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis, and for Chikungunya cases: rash, fever, arthritis, headache, and náusea/vomiting. The group with the most ophthalmic signs/symptoms was Zika, predominantly non-purulent conjunctivitis and retro-orbital pain, epiphora, episcleritis, anterior uveitis, as well as neurological syndromes such as isolated cranial nerve palsy (III and IV) or Miller Fisher syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic signs/symptoms of Zika infection can help the clinical diagnosis of these arbovirosis.

Seasonal emission of seminal coagulum and in vivo sperm dynamics in the black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi).

The ejaculate of diverse primate species consists of two portions, liquid and solid; the latter, known as the seminal coagulum, is thought to sequester large numbers of sperm. In the black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), ejaculates collected by electroejaculation did not always contain seminal coagulum. The objective of the present study was to determine seasonal emission of seminal coagulum and in vivo sperm dynamics in the black-handed spider monkey. Seminal coagulum emission was related to season; it was more frequent in the dry season, coincident with maximal female fertility. Sperm concentration was higher (P = 0.02) in the dry season (dry vs. rainy season: 137.9 +/- 15.7 sperm/mL vs. 82.56 +/- 14.7 x1 0(6) sperm/mL; mean +/- S.E.M.) but also in ejaculates (collected during the rainy season) that had seminal coagulum (coagulum vs. no coagulum: 140.0 +/- 29.3 sperm/mL vs. 31.2+/-0.1 x 10(6) sperm/mL, P<0.001). In semen samples collected from the uterus after AI, the percentage of linearly motile sperm was higher during the dry season (dry vs. rainy: 9.1+/-2.1% vs. 5.9+/-2.5%), as well as whenever coagulum was present (coagulum vs. no coagulum: 13.0+/-3.2% vs. 2.0+/-0.9%, P<0.001).

Annual variations in sexual hormones and births' frequency in female stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides).

Although the breeding seasonality in Macaca arctoides have been studied over a long period of time, it is still controversial whether reproduction in this primate tend to increase during certain months of the year as it happens in most of the macaque species. Many authors have classified Macaca arctoides as not being seasonal species. Nonetheless, there were no reports, about seasonal variations of female sexual hormones to demonstrate that asseveration. Therefore, in the present study we collect 1611 fecal samples from June 2009 to November 2010 from 10 female stump-tailed macaques to measure 17ß-estradiol and progesterone concentrations. Also, we included the birth frequency per year, in order to identify if sexual hormones peaked at a certain period of the year, thus, births would be occurring six months later according to the gestation length of stump-tailed macaques. Our results indicate two mating seasons per year in stump-tailed macaques: one in July-August and a second one in November. The distribution of the birth frequency, throughout the year support these results. We conclude that stump-tail macaques have a discrete seasonality no different than most of macaques' species.

Effects of Botanical Insecticides on Hymenopteran Parasitoids: a Meta-analysis Approach.

Botanical insecticides (BIs) are considered a valuable alternative for plant protection in sustainable agriculture. The use of both BIs and parasitoids are presumed to be mutually compatible pest management practices. However, there is controversy on this subject, as various studies have reported lethal and sublethal effects of BIs on hymenopteran parasitoids. To shed new light on this controversy, a meta-analytic approach of the effects of BIs on adult mortality, parasitism, and parasitoid emergence under laboratory conditions was performed. We show that BIs increased mortality, decreased parasitism, and decreased parasitoid emergence. Botanical insecticides derived from Nicotiana tabacum and Caceolaria andina were particulary lethal. Most of the parasitoid groups showed susceptibility to BIs, but the families Scelionidae and Ichneumonidae were not significantly affected. The negative effects of BIs were seen regardless of the type of exposure (topical, ingestion, or residual). In conclusion, this meta-analysis showed that under laboratory conditions, exposure of hymenopteran parasitoids to BIs had significant negative effects on adult mortality, parasitism, and parasitoid emergence.

Artificial insemination in black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi).

Artificial insemination (AI) was performed in spider monkeys; these primates are vulnerable to extinction and usually do not reproduce spontaneously in captivity. Uterine cycles were followed by daily assessment of vaginal cytology, and corroborated a posteriori by concentrations of 17-beta estradiol and progesterone, measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), in fecal samples collected once daily. Five females between 13 to 27 years old were inseminated intravaginally (with fresh semen) twice each during the periovulatory phase (Days 9-12 of the menstrual cycle; Day 0, first day of menstrual bleeding), from September to the first 3 weeks of November (most fertile months). Transcervical AI was not useful in this primate because the liquid portion of the semen completely solidified instead of liquefying as in other primates. Pregnancies were apparently achieved in 5 of 14 attempts. One female became pregnant after the first round of inseminations, delivered a healthy infant, was inseminated and got pregnant again (subsequently aborted). One female aborted, apparently due to an intramural uterine leiomyoma. Another two females stopped menstruating for a few months, then restarted menstruating (these females may have been pregnant and aborted). In conclusion, in spider monkeys: (1) captivity-induced stress did not inhibit reproduction; (2) fecal steroid hormones were useful to assess cyclicity; (3) the semen coagulum, which apparently is a tightly packed and large reservoir of spermatozoa, must not be discarded but used in AI; (4) old female spider monkeys did not have cessation of reproductive function.

Seasonal variations of fecal progesterone and 17beta-estradiol in captive female black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi).

A number of studies in free-ranging and captive spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) have shown that this genus is able to reproduce throughout the entire year. Nonetheless, it is still controversial whether births, and therefore conceptions, tend to be more frequent during certain seasons. In the present study, we monitored changes in fecal 17beta-estradiol and progesterone for approximately 1 years in five female black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) kept in captivity in Mexico City. The objective was to determine whether hormone concentrations and menstrual cycles of summer and autumn accounted for a greater chance of conception than those of winter and spring, consistent with birth patterns previously reported. We collected fecal samples from the five monkeys almost daily for 1 year (March 2004 to February 2005) and used radioimmunoassay of fecal extracts to determine concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. Concurrently, menstrual cycle phases were determined by cytological evaluation of vaginal swabs. Periovulatory 17beta-estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in autumn than in winter, spring or summer. Moreover, as evidenced by progesterone peaks, most of the summer-autumn menstrual cycles were ovulatory; in contrast, most of the winter and spring cycles were anovulatory. In conclusion, our data supported the notion that, although not a strictly seasonal reproducer, the black-handed spider monkey is more likely to conceive at the end of the rainy season and throughout autumn.

Ventricular septal defects: a surgical viewpoint.

Seventy-six cardiac autopsy specimens with ventricular septal defects were studied from a surgical viewpoint. The defects were classified as being conoventricular (n = 25), in the right ventricular outlet (n = 21), in the inlet septum (n = 11) or in the trabecular septum (n = 19) with each category having several subcategories. The left ventricular outflow tract relations of the defects are emphasized. The borders of the ventricular septal defects are described in detail, with use of the prefix "juxta" to indicate the immediate adjacency of the defect to a structure such as the tricuspid valve.

Alpha3beta4 subunit-containing nicotinic receptors dominate function in rat medial habenula neurons.

Regional-specific differences in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were examined using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in rat medial habenula (MHb) slices. The majority of cells in the ventral two thirds of the MHb responded robustly to local pressure application of nAChR agonists. Mean agonist potency profiles in the middle and ventral thirds of the MHb were similar: cytisine was the most potent agonist and DMPP the weakest, consistent with a significant contribution of the beta4 subunit to functional nAChRs in all areas of the MHb. In acutely isolated MHb neurons, the alpha3beta4-selective toxin alpha-CTx-AuIB (1 microM) reversibly blocked approximately 75% of the nicotine-induced currents, as expected for cells solely expressing alpha3beta4 nAChRs. However, the alpha3beta2-selective toxin, alpha-CTx-MII (100 nM), blocked a variable fraction (0-90%) of the MHb nicotinic response implying that beta2 subunits may contribute to some functional receptors. We suggest that the effects of alpha-CTx-MII may arise from interaction with alpha3beta2beta4 subunit-containing nAChRs. This idea is supported by the findings (1) that alpha-CTx-MII antagonizes receptors comprised of alpha3, beta2 and beta4 subunits in Xenopus oocytes, and (2) that a mutant alpha-CTx-MII toxin[H12A], which blocks alpha3beta2beta4 receptors but not alpha3beta2 or alpha3beta4 nAChRs, also reduces nicotinic currents in some MHb neurons. Overall these data imply that most functional nAChRs on MHb cells contain at least alpha3 and beta4 subunits, and that a variable subpopulation additionally contains the beta2 subunit.

Congenital pulmonary vein stenosis.

Congenital pulmonary vein stenosis is a rare and serious form of congenital heart disease. Between 1969 and 1982 10 patients with this lesion were studied. In 2 patients the condition was diagnosed at autopsy; these patients died before the presence of congenital heart disease was suspected. Of the 8 in whom the condition was diagnosed during life, it was suspected clinically in 6 and found unexpectedly at cardiac catheterization in 2. All underwent operation, and 5 were hospital survivors. In all survivors rapid and progressive restenosis of the pulmonary veins occurred over the next several months. Three of the 5 underwent reoperation, but progressive restenosis recurred and all eventually died of this condition. Thus, despite partial surgical relief of pulmonary vein stenosis, the lesion is apparently one of relentless progression. No surgical repair has been successful in the cure or long-term palliation of this lethal lesion.

Reversibility of severe hepatic damage caused by jejunoileal bypass after re-establishment of normal intestinal continuity.

This case report attempts to document the reversibility of advanced hepatic anatomical and clinical alterations compatible with advanced hepatic cirrhosis that occasionally develop in patients with jejunoileal bypass performed for morbid obesity. The advanced stage of this complication can be fatal unless the intestinal continuity is returned to normal.

Results of radionuclide assessment of cardiac function following transplantation of the heart.

Radionuclide assessment of ejection fraction was determined early and late postoperatively following cardiac transplantation in 16 patients. In 11 patients, ejection fraction was determined within 48 hours of an endocardial biopsy. There was no relationship between the severity of histologically evident rejection and the ejection fraction (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = -0.11; p = 0.47). In 2 patients, severe graft fibrosis developed with consequent diminution in ejection fraction. There was no relationship between severity and duration of rejection or the amount of immunosuppression required to treat acute rejection and the development of graft fibrosis. The mean resting ejection fraction in 7 patients in follow-up ranging from 6 to 21 months after transplantation was 0.59 +/- 0.06 (standard deviation), and the mean exercise ejection fraction in 6 of these patients was 0.72 +/- 0.08. Radionuclide-determined ejection fraction is not predictive of rejection early after operation. During short-term late follow-up, systolic left ventricular function at rest and exercise has been retained at normal levels.

Colchicine effects on the mouse liver.

With histochemical methods an instantaneous and marked inhibitory effect of a single dose of colchicine on the activity of succinic-, lactic-, glucose-6-phosphate-, NADH- and NADPH-dehydrogenase in the mouse liver was observed. This effect was essentially the same as that previously described in the intestinal mucosa and not dependent on or a consequence of the inhibitory effect of colchicine on cell division. The enzymatic inhibitory effect of colchicine was qualitatively similar regardless of the dose of the drug given, although a single large dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) produced alterations and depression of dehydrogenase activity more marked and not so rapidly repaired as those appearing after a small dose of colchicine (0.24 mg/kg body weight). Following repeated doses of colchicine the degree of histochemically demonstrable depression of dehydrogenase activity was not obviously different from that found after a single dose. After large repeated doses morphological alterations and prolonged depression of dehydrogenase activity of liver cells were found and many of the animals died. After repeated administration of the small dose (0.24 mg/kg body weight) no morphological alterations were found and the activity of dehydrogenases was normalized, although the injection of colchicine was continued.

Enforced water drinking induces changes in burying behavior and social interaction test in rats.

The effect of water deprivation and water intake on experimental anxiety in rats was tested using burying behavior (BB) and social interaction (SI) anxiety paradigms. Two groups of animals were studied: a control group with free access to water, and a 72-h water-deprived experimental group. Anxiety was studied in a water-deprived group or following a 10-min period of ad lib water drinking. An increase in the mean time of defensive burying in animals deprived for 72 h was observed, whereas an important reduction occurred in the levels of burying behavior immediately after the animals were allowed to drink ad lib for 10 min. These results suggest that the observed increase in defensive burying in the water-deprived animals represents an anxiogenic effect, whereas the decrease in this behavior in water-satiated animals is considered an anxiolytic action. The temporal course of reduction in burying behavior, observed after water drinking, revealed that the anxiolytic action lasts 5 min, whereas 15-30 min after drinking, burying behavior levels were similar to those in the control group. In the social interaction experiment a partial anxiogenic/anxiolytic effect of water deprivation and water intake was observed. The adaptive meaning of anxiogenic and anxiolytic changes linked to consummatory behaviors in rats is discussed on the basis of behavioral and biochemical data.

Overriding atrioventricular valves. An angiographic-anatomical correlate.

An analysis of 6 patients with overriding atrioventricular valve was performed in order to correlate the anatomic and angiographic features of this malformation. The atrial arrangement was usual (situs solitus) in each patient. The ventricular chambers were normally related in 4 and the mirror image of normal in 2. The atrioventricular connexion was concordant in parallel fashion in 4, discordant in 1 and double inlet left ventricle in 1 heart. In 2 of 4 hearts with concordant atrioventricular connexion, the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid) overrode the septum and connected partially to the left ventricle. In 2, the left atrioventricular valve (mitral) overrode the septum and partially connected with the right ventricle. One heart with discordant atrioventricular connexion had its right atrioventricular valve (mitral) overriding the septum. The remaining heart with double inlet left ventricle had an overriding left atrioventricular valve. Each overriding atrioventricular valve had its "septal" leaflet (the one committed to the contralateral ventricle) divided into 2 segments by a large cleft. Ventricular septal defects at different locations were present in all cases. The ventriculoarterial connexion was double outlet right ventricle in 5 patients and was discordant in 1. Malalignment of the atrial and ventricular septa was present to some degree in all cases. This was well depicted on ventriculograms in four chamber view in those with an overriding tricuspid valve. It was not detected in those with an overriding mitral valve. The displaced leaflets of the overriding and/or stradding valve had a vertical motion on cineangiograms similar to those observed in atrioventricular septal defects. Abnormal morphology and motion of the septal leaflet of the overriding atrioventricular valve and malalignment of the atrial and ventricular septal structures were the most important angiographic findings in this series.

Transient emotional changes elicited by intraperitoneal saline injection: effect of naloxone and flumazenil.

The effect of the intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline injection was assessed by using the defensive burying (DB) and the elevated plus-maze (EPM) anxiety paradigms in rats. Animals were handled gently by the body, injected i.p. with saline solution, 2 ml/kg, and tested independently in the defensive burying as well as in the elevated plus-maze test at different times after the i.p. injection: 1.5, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min. A transient effect of i.p. saline injection was observed (i.e., increased DB in animals tested 1.5 min after injection) and a decrease in this parameter when studied 3 min after the injection. No changes at 5, 10, 15, and 30 min after the injection were found. To discriminate the putative participation of the opiate peptide and benzodiazepine receptors in the actions of the i.p. injection, flumazenil (5 mg/kg) and nalozone (1 mg/kg) were administered. The increase in DB at 1.5 min was masked by double injection, an effect blocked by naloxone, but not by flumazenil, while both of them reverted the decrease in DB response in animals tested 3 min after injection. A partial action of the i.p. in the animals tested in the elevated plus-maze test was found. Present results are discussed on the basis of behavioral and pharmacological evidence.

Tumor of the atrioventricular nodal region. A clinical and immunohistochemical study.

Autopsy specimens of 17 tumors of the atrioventricular nodal region were studied. Sudden death occurred in 14 children and adults; seven of these patients had a history of atrioventricular block or syncope. Three tumors were incidental findings in infants with other congenital anomalies; diaphragmatic agenesis, pulmonary hypoplasia, and Meckel's diverticulum in one patient; mitral atresia in one; and congenital hydrocephalus, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, and patent omphalovitelline duct in the third. Immunohistochemical stains demonstrated strong positivity for carcinoembryonic antigen in 13 of 13 cases, B72.3 antigen in 5 of 7 cases, and cytokeratin in 11 of 11 cases. Twenty control cases of mesothelioma and mesothelial hyperplasia were all negative for B72.3; one showed focal carcinoembryonic antigen staining. Ultrastructural analysis of one case demonstrated short rudimentary microvilli not characteristic of mesothelial cells. We conclude that so-called mesotheliomas of the atrioventricular nodal region are not of mesothelial origin, because of strong carcinoembryonic antigen positivity and occasional positivity with B72.3, as these antibodies react with glycoproteins found in endodermally derived tissue and generally not with mesothelial tissue. Conduction system tumors are most likely congenital rests of endodermal origin, can be associated with other congenital anomalies, and often cause symptoms of heart block and sudden death.

Exposure to the social interaction test in rats induces changes in defensive burying.

To detect changes in experimental anxiety, defensive burying (DB) was studied in several groups of rats after being exposed to social interaction (SI). Animals were studied in the DB paradigm after being submitted to the following SI treatments: control (without SI exposure), and SI for 1.5, 5, 10 and 15 min respectively. A bimodal effect was found: facilitated DB response values in the group tested after a 1.5 min exposure to SI and a strong reduction of DB in the 10 and 15 min groups. The inhibition in DB elicited by the 15 min exposure to SI revealed a slow recovery, returning to control levels after 30 min. The actions of novelty on defensive burying were assessed in a third experiment. Animals were tested for DB immediately after being placed for 1.5 or 15 min in the SI arena without a partner. DB levels increased in these animals. Another group was placed in the SI arena for 1.5 min and tested in the DB paradigm 13.5 min after being returned to the home cage. A return to the basal control DB levels was observed in this group. Data are discussed in terms of anxiety-like fluctuations and the adaptive functions underlying these.

Self and Social Grooming in Stump-Tailed Macaques: Effects of Kin Presence or Absence within the Group.

The relation between individual self and social-grooming scores, asaessingthe effects of having or lacking relatives within the group, was studied in a colony of stump-tailed macaques (Macacaarctoides). As it has been shown by other authors, kinship favoured grooming interactions, so animals lacking relatives wen seldom mom as groomees. Conversely, these subjects accounted for the major mounts of self-grooming, as if they were surmounting the social grooming deficit. This negative relationship between self and social grooming suggests a common functional relationship between both forms of behavior, most likely as a reducing tension activity.