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Prelinguistic babbling is a critical phase in infant language development and is best understood in temperate songbirds where it occurs primarily in males at reproductive maturity and is modulated by sex steroids. Parrots of both sexes are icons of tropical vocal plasticity, but vocal babbling is unreported in this group and whether the endocrine system is involved is unknown. Here we show that vocal babbling is widespread in a wild parrot population in Venezuela, ensues in both sexes during the nestling stage, occurs amidst a captive audience of mixed-aged siblings, and is modulated by corticosteroids. Spectrographic analysis and machine learning found phoneme diversity and combinatorial capacity increased precipitously for the first week, thereafter, crystalizing into a smaller repertoire, consistent with the selective attrition model of language development. Corticosterone-treated nestlings differed from unmanipulated birds and sham controls in several acoustic properties and crystallized a larger repertoire post-treatment. Our findings indicate babbling occurs during an early life-history stage in which corticosteroids help catalyse the transition from a universal learning programme to one finely tuned for the prevailing ecological environment, a potentially convergent scenario in human prelinguistic development.
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Papagaios , Idoso , Animais , Desenvolvimento Infantil , Sistema Endócrino , Feminino , Humanos , Idioma , MasculinoRESUMO
The arginine vasotocin (AVT)-V1a receptor mediates critical reproductive behaviors of the nonapeptide vasotocin in the teleost brain. In this study, we report the molecular characterization of the AVT-V1a2 receptor and its messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions in the Atlantic croaker brain after exposure to the planar polychlorinated biphenyl congener 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77). The full-length sequence of croaker AVT-V1a2 receptor complementary DNA (cDNA) is highly homologous to other teleost AVT-V1a2 receptor cDNAs. Double-labeled immunohistochemistry showed coexpression of AVT-V1a2 receptor and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I, a neuropeptide that regulates gonadotropin secretion) in hypothalamic neurons, thereby providing the anatomical basis for possible AVT modulation of croaker reproduction through alterations in GnRH-I secretion. AVT-V1a2 receptor mRNA and protein levels as well as GnRH-I mRNA levels were markedly decreased in hypothalamic tissues of croaker exposed to PCB77 (dose: 2 and 8 µg/g body weight for 4 weeks) compared with levels in untreated (control) fish. In contrast, hypothalamic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A, a monooxygenase enzyme) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß, a cytokine indicator of inflammation and response to neuronal damage) mRNA levels, and plasma protein carbonyl (PC, an indicator of reactive oxygen species) contents, important biomarkers of neural stress, were increased in PCB77-exposed fish compared with controls. Collectively, these results suggest that the downregulation of hypothalamic AVT-V1a2 receptor and GnRH-I transcripts due to PCB77 exposure is associated with induction of CYP1A, cellular inflammation and oxidative stress in Atlantic croaker, a marine teleost that inhabits estuaries along the US Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico that are often contaminated with persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs.
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Encéfalo/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Perciformes/metabolismo , Bifenilos Policlorados/farmacologia , Receptores de Vasopressinas/genética , Receptores de Vasopressinas/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/farmacologia , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Citocromo P-450 CYP1A1/genética , DNA Complementar/genética , Feminino , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/citologia , Masculino , Neurônios/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Filogenia , Precursores de Proteínas/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
An inexpensive, simple and rapid sensor platform capable of detecting cancer-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with high accuracy is of great interest in the field of molecular diagnostics. Herein, we report on the development of a new colorimetric and electrochemical assay platform for long non-coding HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) detection. Isothermal reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) was performed to amplify HOTAIR sequences from a RNA pool extracted from a designated number of ovarian cancer cells and a small cohort of plasma samples derived from patients with ovarian cancer. During RT-RPA, biotinylated dUTPs were randomly incorporated in the amplified product. Subsequently, HOTAIR amplicons were magnetically purified and isolated followed by a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed colorimetric reaction in the presence of the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/H2O2 system. We finally introduced three potential readout methods for HOTAIR detection - (i) naked-eye visualisation of the color change for a quick screening of the target, (ii) quantitative absorbance measurement by UV-vis, and (iii) amperometric quantification using the electrochemical properties of TMB. The assay has shown excellent reproducibility (% RSD = <5%, for n = 3) and sensitivity (10 cells/ per mL) while detecting HOTAIR in cancer cell lines and patient samples. The expression of HOTAIR in clinical samples was also verified with a standard RT-qPCR method. We believe that our proof of concept assay may find potential relevance for the routine clinical screening of cancer-associated lncRNAs.
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Técnicas Eletroquímicas , Neoplasias Ovarianas/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/análise , Feminino , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrogênio , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
As part of the American Society of Anesthesiology Brain Health Initiative goal of improving perioperative brain health for older patients, over 30 experts met at the fifth International Perioperative Neurotoxicity Workshop in San Francisco, CA, in May 2016, to discuss best practices for optimizing perioperative brain health in older adults (ie, >65 years of age). The objective of this workshop was to discuss and develop consensus solutions to improve patient management and outcomes and to discuss what older adults should be told (and by whom) about postoperative brain health risks. Thus, the workshop was provider and patient oriented as well as solution focused rather than etiology focused. For those areas in which we determined that there were limited evidence-based recommendations, we identified knowledge gaps and the types of scientific knowledge and investigations needed to direct future best practice. Because concerns about perioperative neurocognitive injury in pediatric patients are already being addressed by the SmartTots initiative, our workshop discussion (and thus this article) focuses specifically on perioperative cognition in older adults. The 2 main perioperative cognitive disorders that have been studied to date are postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction. Postoperative delirium is a syndrome of fluctuating changes in attention and level of consciousness that occurs in 20%-40% of patients >60 years of age after major surgery and inpatient hospitalization. Many older surgical patients also develop postoperative cognitive deficits that typically last for weeks to months, thus referred to as postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Because of the heterogeneity of different tools and thresholds used to assess and define these disorders at varying points in time after anesthesia and surgery, a recent article has proposed a new recommended nomenclature for these perioperative neurocognitive disorders. Our discussion about this topic was organized around 4 key issues: preprocedure consent, preoperative cognitive assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative follow-up. These 4 issues also form the structure of this document. Multiple viewpoints were presented by participants and discussed at this in-person meeting, and the overall group consensus from these discussions was then drafted by a smaller writing group (the 6 primary authors of this article) into this manuscript. Of course, further studies have appeared since the workshop, which the writing group has incorporated where appropriate. All participants from this in-person meeting then had the opportunity to review, edit, and approve this final manuscript; 1 participant did not approve the final manuscript and asked for his/her name to be removed.
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Encéfalo/fisiologia , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/diagnóstico , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/diagnóstico , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/prevenção & controle , Idoso , Anestesia/efeitos adversos , Anestesiologia/métodos , Cognição , Transtornos Cognitivos/etiologia , Delírio , Esquema de Medicação , Eletroencefalografia , Humanos , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/terapia , Assistência Perioperatória , Período Perioperatório , Período Pós-Operatório , Fatores de Risco , Sociedades Médicas , Estados UnidosRESUMO
The enzyme-mimicking activity of iron oxide based nanostructures has provided a significant advantage in developing advanced molecular sensors for biomedical and environmental applications. Herein, we introduce the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-like activity of gold-loaded nanoporous ferric oxide nanocubes (Au-NPFe2O3NC) for the development of a molecular sensor with enhanced electrocatalytic and colorimetric (naked eye) detection of autoantibodies. The results showed that Au-NPFe2O3NC exhibits enhanced peroxidase-like activity toward the catalytic oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tertamethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 at room temperature (25 °C) and follows the typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The autoantibody sensor based on this intrinsic property of Au-NPFe2O3NC resulted in excellent detection sensitivity [limit of detection (LOD) = 0.08 U/mL] and reproducibility [percent relative standard deviation (% RSD) = <5% for n = 3] for analyzing p53-specific autoantibodies using electrochemical and colorimetric (naked eye) readouts. The clinical applicability of the sensor has been tested in detecting p53-specific autoantibody in plasma obtained from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer high-grade serous subtype (EOCHGS, number of samples = 2) and controls (benign, number of samples = 2). As Au-NPFe2O3NC possess high peroxidase-like activity for the oxidation of TMB in the presence of H2O2 [TMB is a common chromogenic substrate for HRP in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs)], we envisage that our assay could find a wide range of application in developing ELISA-based sensing approaches in the fields of medicine (i.e., detection of other biomarkers the same as p53 autoantibody), biotechnology, and environmental sciences.
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Autoanticorpos/sangue , Materiais Biocompatíveis/química , Colorimetria/métodos , Compostos Férricos/química , Ouro/química , Nanoestruturas/química , Autoanticorpos/análise , Materiais Biocompatíveis/metabolismo , Catálise , Técnicas Eletroquímicas , Feminino , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/química , Cinética , Limite de Detecção , Nanoporos , Neoplasias Ovarianas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Oxirredução , Peroxidases/metabolismo , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/imunologiaRESUMO
The arginine vasotocin/vasopressin (AVT/AVP) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) systems are known to control sexual behaviors and reproduction, respectively, in different vertebrate groups. However, a direct functional connection between these two neuroendocrine systems has not been demonstrated for any vertebrate species. Therefore, the objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that AVT acts on the GnRH system via an AVT V1a receptor in a sex changing grouper species, the rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis. AVT V1a2 receptors were co-localized with GnRH-I on neurons in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus identifying a structural linkage between the AVT system and GnRH-I. Transcripts for avt, gnrh-I, and two AVT receptor subtypes (v1a1 and v1a2) were isolated and characterized for E. adscensionis and their expression was measured in males and females by q-RT-PCR. Translation of V1a-type cDNA sequences revealed two distinct forms of the AVT V1a receptor in E. adscensionis brain similar to those reported for other species. The observation of significantly higher gnrh-I mRNA in the POA+H of rock hind males as compared to females suggests differential regulation of the gnrh-I transcripts in the two sexes of this protogynous species. In male E. adscensionis, but not in females, a negative relationship was seen between plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and the v1a1 receptor mRNA levels in the POA+H, while a positive trend was observed between 11-KT and v1a2 receptor mRNA levels, indicating that these receptor forms may be differentially regulated.
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Bass/metabolismo , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Área Pré-Óptica/metabolismo , Precursores de Proteínas/metabolismo , Receptores de Vasopressinas/metabolismo , Animais , Arginina Vasopressina/metabolismo , Bass/genética , Feminino , Hormônio Liberador de Gonadotropina/genética , Masculino , Precursores de Proteínas/genética , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Receptores de Vasopressinas/genética , Reprodução/genética , Processos de Determinação Sexual/genética , Testosterona/análogos & derivados , Vasotocina/metabolismoRESUMO
A public health response relies upon rapid and reliable confirmation of disease by diagnostic assays. Here, we detail the design and validation of two variola virus-specific real-time PCR assays, since previous assays cross-reacted with newly identified cowpox viruses. The assay specificity must continually be reassessed as other closely related viruses are identified.
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Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/métodos , Vírus da Varíola/isolamento & purificação , Sequência de Bases , DNA Viral/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of paravertebral blockade to general anesthesia in patients undergoing robotic mitral valve repair. DESIGN: A randomized, prospective trial. SETTING: A single tertiary referral academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: 60 patients undergoing robotic mitral valve surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive 4-level paravertebral blockade with 0.5% bupivicaine before induction of general anesthesia. All patients were given a fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia upon arrival to the intensive care unit, and visual analog scale pain scores were queried for 24 hours. On postoperative day 2, patients were given an anesthesia satisfaction survey. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After obtaining institutional review board approval, surgical and anesthetic data were recorded perioperatively and compared between groups. Compared to general anesthesia alone, patients receiving paravertebral blockade and general anesthesia reported significantly less postoperative pain and required fewer narcotics intraoperatively and postoperatively. Patients receiving paravertebral blockade also reported significantly higher satisfaction with anesthesia. Successful extubation in the operating room at the conclusion of surgery was 90% and similar in both groups. Hospital length of stay also was similar. No adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of paravertebral blockade to general anesthesia appears safe and can reduce postoperative pain and narcotic usage in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. These findings were similar to previous studies of patients undergoing thoracic procedures. Paravertebral blockade alone likely does not reduce hospital length of stay. This may be more closely related to early extubation, which is possible with or without paravertebral blockade.
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Implante de Prótese de Valva Cardíaca/efeitos adversos , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/diagnóstico por imagem , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/cirurgia , Bloqueio Nervoso/métodos , Dor Pós-Operatória/prevenção & controle , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Robóticos/efeitos adversos , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor Pós-Operatória/etiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Neuraxial local anesthetics may have neurological complications thought to be due to neurotoxicity. A primary site of action of local anesthetics is the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neuron. Physiologic differences have been noted between young and adult DRG neurons; hence, the authors examined whether there were any differences in lidocaine-induced changes in calcium and lidocaine toxicity in neonatal and adult rat DRG neurons. METHODS: DRG neurons were cultured from postnatal day 7 (P7) and adult rats. Lidocaine-induced changes in cytosolic calcium were examined with the calcium indicator Fluo-4. Cells were incubated with varying concentrations of lidocaine and examined for viability using calcein AM and ethidium homodimer-1 staining. Live imaging of caspase-3/7 activation was performed after incubation with lidocaine. RESULTS: The mean KCl-induced calcium transient was greater in P7 neurons (P < 0.05), and lidocaine significantly inhibited KCl-induced calcium responses in both ages (P < 0.05). Frequency distribution histograms of KCl-evoked calcium increases were more heterogeneous in P7 than in adult neurons. With lidocaine, KCl-induced calcium transients in both ages became more homogeneous but remained different between the groups. Interestingly, cell viability was decreased by lidocaine in a dose-dependent manner similarly in both ages. Lidocaine treatment also activated caspase-3/7 in a dose- and time-dependent manner similarly in both ages. CONCLUSIONS: Despite physiological differences in P7 and adult DRG neurons, lidocaine cytotoxicity is similar in P7 and adult DRG neurons in vitro. Differences in lidocaine- and KCl-evoked calcium responses suggest the similarity in lidocaine cytotoxicity involves other actions in addition to lidocaine-evoked effects on cytosolic calcium responses.
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Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Anestésicos Locais/toxicidade , Cálcio/metabolismo , Citosol/metabolismo , Gânglios Espinais/patologia , Lidocaína/toxicidade , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinalização do Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Caspase 7/metabolismo , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Cloreto de Potássio/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
Ecosystems are multifaceted and complex systems and understanding their composition is crucial for the implementation of efficient conservation and management. Conventional approaches to biodiversity surveys can have limitations in detecting the complete range of species present. In contrast, the study of environmental RNA (eRNA) offers a non-invasive and comprehensive method for monitoring and evaluating biodiversity across different ecosystems. Similar to eDNA, the examination of genetic material found in environmental samples can identify and measure many species, including ones that pose challenges to traditional methods. However, eRNA is degraded quickly and therefore shows promise in detection of living organisms closer to their actual location than eDNA methods. This method provides a comprehensive perspective on the well-being of ecosystems, facilitating the development of focused conservation approaches to save at-risk species and uphold ecological equilibrium. Furthermore, eRNA has been recognized as a valuable method for the identification of COVID-19 in the environment, besides its established uses in biodiversity protection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is accountable for the worldwide epidemic, releases RNA particles into the surrounding environment via human waste, providing insights into the feasibility of detecting it in wastewater and other samples taken from the environment. In this article, we critically reviewed the recent research activities that use the eRNA method, including its utilization in biodiversity conservation, ecological surveillance, and ecotoxicological monitoring as well as its innovative potential in identifying COVID-19. Through this review, the reader can understand the recent developments, prospects, and challenges of eRNA research in ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
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COVID-19 , Ecossistema , Humanos , RNA/genética , Código de Barras de DNA Taxonômico/métodos , SARS-CoV-2 , Biodiversidade , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodosRESUMO
The rise in worldwide population has led to a noticeable spike in the production, consumption, and transportation of energy and food, contributing to elevated environmental pollution. Marine pollution is a significant global environmental issue with ongoing challenges, including plastic waste, oil spills, chemical pollutants, and nutrient runoff, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Pollution detection and assessment are crucial to understanding the state of marine ecosystems. Conventional approaches to pollution evaluation usually represent laborious and prolonged physical and chemical assessments, constraining their efficacy and expansion. The latest advances in environmental DNA (eDNA) are valuable methods for the detection and surveillance of pollution in the environment, offering enhanced sensibility, efficacy, and involvement. Molecular approaches allow genetic information extraction from natural resources like water, soil, or air. The application of eDNA enables an expanded evaluation of the environmental condition by detecting both identified and unidentified organisms and contaminants. eDNA methods are valuable for assessing community compositions, providing indirect insights into the intensity and quality of marine pollution through their effects on ecological communities. While eDNA itself is not direct evidence of pollution, its analysis offers a sensitive tool for monitoring changes in biodiversity, serving as an indicator of environmental health and allowing for the indirect estimation of the impact and extent of marine pollution on ecosystems. This review explores the potential of eDNA metabarcoding techniques for detecting and identifying marine pollutants. This review also provides evidence for the efficacy of eDNA assessment in identifying a diverse array of marine pollution caused by oil spills, harmful algal blooms, heavy metals, ballast water, and microplastics. In this report, scientists can expand their knowledge and incorporate eDNA methodologies into ecotoxicological research.
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DNA Ambiental , Poluentes Ambientais , Humanos , Ecossistema , DNA Ambiental/genética , Plásticos , Código de Barras de DNA Taxonômico/métodos , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Biodiversidade , Poluição Ambiental , ÁguaRESUMO
The neuroendocrinology of vocal learning is exceptionally well known in passerine songbirds. Despite huge life history, genetic and ecological variation across passerines, song learning tends to occur as a result of rises in gonadal and non-gonadal sex steroids that shape telencephalic vocal control circuits and song. Parrots are closely related but independently evolved different cerebral circuits for vocal repertoire acquisition in both sexes that serve a broader suite of social functions and do not appear to be shaped by early androgens or estrogens; instead, parrots begin a plastic phase in vocal development at an earlier life history stage that favors the growth, maturation, and survival functions of corticosteroids. As evidence, corticosterone (CORT) supplements given to wild green-rumped parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) during the first week of vocal babbling resulted in larger vocal repertoires in both sexes in the remaining days before fledging. Here, we replicate this experiment but began treatment 1 week before in development, analyzing both experiments in one model and a stronger test of the organizational effects of CORT on repertoire acquisition. Early CORT treatment resulted in significantly larger repertoires compared to late treatment. Both treatment groups showed weak negative effects on the early, reduplicated stage of babbling and strong, positive effects of CORT on the later, variegated stage. Results are consistent with more formative effects of corticosteroids at earlier developmental stages and a role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) in vocal repertoire acquisition. Given the early emergence of speech in human ontogeny, parrots are a promising model for understanding the putative role of the HPA axis in the construction of neural circuits that support language acquisition.
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Roads negatively impact wildlife through habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat connectivity, and wildlife-vehicle collisions, thus road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address this issue all over the world, including in the United States. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along a State Highway in an effort to address road mortality for the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and non-target wildlife species. The goal of this study was to examine temporal changes in wildlife interactions with WCS and WG during and after their construction and modification along a South Texas highway and to determine whether environmental factors influenced use of WCS. Using camera traps deployed to monitor the road mitigation structures, we compared crossing rates, repel rates, and species richness of all species that interacted with the structures, and we examined whether differential wildlife use of WCS and WG was affected by one or more structural dimensions, distance to nearby vegetation, and water presence. Crossings through WCS by wildlife decreased following the completion of construction of mitigation structures; however, repel interactions at WG increased. Overall, crossings decreased at WCS that had higher openness ratios and during periods of precipitation and higher daily temperatures, but distance to vegetation had minimal influence. These factors were shown to influence crossings of each of the five most frequently observed species differently. Lastly, the presence of pooled water at one WCS caused a decrease in crossings when the water level was highest but was not a barrier at lower water levels. By examining influences on wildlife interaction with road mitigation structures, we conclude that a variety of structures, including different WCS configurations, can be beneficial in facilitating movement and restricting entry into the right-of-way for a diversity of wildlife species beyond the target species.
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Animais Selvagens , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Animais , Texas , Animais Selvagens/fisiologia , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais/métodos , Ecossistema , Espécies em Perigo de ExtinçãoRESUMO
Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are capable of long-distance migrations (hundreds of kilometers) but also exhibit resident behaviors in estuarine and coastal habitats. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of juvenile tarpon and identify migration pathways of adult tarpon in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Spatial distribution of juvenile tarpon was investigated using gillnet data collected by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) over the past four decades. Generalized additive models (GAMs) indicated that salinity and water temperature played a significant role in tarpon presence, with tarpon occurrences peaking in the fall and increasing over the past four decades in this region. Adult tarpon caught off Texas (n = 40) and Louisiana (n = 4) were tagged with acoustic transmitters to characterize spatial and temporal trends in their movements and migrations. Of the 44 acoustic transmitters deployed, 18 of the individuals were detected (n = 16 west of the Mississippi River Delta and n = 2 east of the Mississippi River Delta). Tarpon tagged west of the Mississippi River Delta off Texas migrated south in the fall and winter into areas of south Texas and potentially into Mexico, while individuals tagged east of the delta migrated into Florida during the same time period, suggesting the presence of two unique migratory contingents or subpopulations in this region. An improved understanding of the habitat requirements and migratory patterns of tarpon inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico is critically needed by resource managers to assess the vulnerability of each contingent to fishing pressure, and this information will guide multi-state and multi-national conservation efforts to rebuild and sustain tarpon populations.
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Ecossistema , Peixes , Humanos , Animais , Golfo do México , Animais Selvagens , MovimentoRESUMO
In the original publication [...].
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Global temperature is increasing due to anthropogenic activities and the effects of elevated temperature on DNA lesions are not well documented in marine organisms. The American oyster (Crassostrea virginica, an edible and commercially important marine mollusk) is an ideal shellfish species to study oxidative DNA lesions during heat stress. In this study, we examined the effects of elevated temperatures (24, 28, and 32 °C for one-week exposure) on heat shock protein-70 (HSP70, a biomarker of heat stress), 8hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, a biomarker of pro-mutagenic DNA lesion), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), γ-histone family member X (γH2AX, a molecular biomarker of DNA damage), caspase-3 (CAS-3, a key enzyme of apoptotic pathway) and Bcl-2-associated X (BAX, an apoptosis regulator) protein and/or mRNA expressions in the gills of American oysters. Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR results showed that HSP70, 8-OHdG, dsDNA, and γH2AX expressions in gills were significantly increased at high temperatures (28 and 32 °C) compared with control (24°C). In situ TUNEL analysis showed that the apoptotic cells in gill tissues were increased in heat-exposed oysters. Interestingly, the enhanced apoptotic cells were associated with increased CAS-3 and BAX mRNA and/or protein expressions, along with 8-OHdG levels in gills after heat exposure. Moreover, the extrapallial (EP) fluid (i.e., extracellular body fluid) protein concentrations were lower; however, the EP glucose levels were higher in heat-exposed oysters. Taken together, these results suggest that heat shock-driven oxidative stress alters extracellular body fluid conditions and induces cellular apoptosis and DNA damage, which may lead to increased 8-OHdG levels in cells/tissues in oysters.
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BACKGROUND: Structural magnetic resonance imaging is used to longitudinally monitor the progression of Alzheimer disease from its presymptomatic to symptomatic phases. Using magnetic resonance imaging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, we tested the hypothesis that surgery would impact brain parameters associated with progression of dementia. METHODS: Brain images from the neuroimaging initiative database were used to study normal volunteer subjects and patients with mild cognitive impairment for the age group 55 to 90 inclusive. We compared changes in regional brain anatomy for three visits that defined two intervisit intervals for a surgical cohort (n = 41) and a propensity matched nonsurgical control cohort (n = 123). The first interval for the surgical cohort contained the surgical date. Regional brain volumes were determined with Freesurfer and quantitatively described with J-image software (University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California). Statistical analysis used Repeated Measures ANCOVA (SPSS, v.18.0; Chicago, IL). RESULTS: We found that surgical patients, during the first follow-up interval (5-9 months), but not subsequently, had increased rates of atrophy for cortical gray matter and hippocampus, and lateral ventricle enlargement, as compared with nonsurgical controls. A composite score of five cognitive tests during this interval showed reduced performance for surgical patients with mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly subjects after surgery experienced an increased rate of brain atrophy during the initial evaluation interval, a time associated with enhanced risk for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Although there was no difference in atrophy rate by diagnosis, subjects with mild cognitive impairment suffered greater subsequent cognitive effects.
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Encéfalo/patologia , Cognição/fisiologia , Disfunção Cognitiva/patologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/patologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Atrofia , Disfunção Cognitiva/psicologia , Estudos de Coortes , Bases de Dados Factuais , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/psicologiaRESUMO
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postdischarge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) are common occurrences (50%-80%) after laparoscopic surgery. Palonosetron (Pal), the newest 5-HT3 antagonist, is an effective antiemetic that has advantages in treating PDNV due to its prolonged duration of action. We hypothesized that a combination of Pal and dexamethazone (Dex) could further improve the efficacy of the treatment in comparison to Pal alone in patients at high risk for PONV. Patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic surgeries under general anesthesia were randomized to receive 8-mg dexamethasone + 0.075-mg palonosetron (Pal + Dex) or an equivalent volume of saline + 0.075 mg palonosetron (Pal). Data was collected at defined postoperative times (2, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours). All patients also completed an 18-question QOL-Functional Living Index-Emesis instrument at 96 hours. We enrolled 118 patients, ASA 1-2, with at least 3 PONV risk factors, who were undergoing outpatient surgery. Both groups had a low incidence of vomiting in the PACU (Pal + Dex, 1.7%; Pal, 6.8%) and at 72 hours (0.0% both groups). Complete response (no vomiting, no rescue medication) was not different between treatment groups for any time intervals. Cumulative success rates over the entire 72 hours were 60.4% (Pal + Dex) versus 60.0% (Pal). The Pal + Dex group showed a trend toward greater satisfaction on the QOL- Functional Living Index-Emesis scores with the greatest differences in the "nausea domain". The combination therapy of palonosetron + dexamethasone did not reduce the incidence of PONV or PDNV when compared with palonosetron alone. There was no change in comparative efficacy over 72 hours, most likely due to the low incidence of PDNV in both groups.
Assuntos
Antieméticos/uso terapêutico , Dexametasona/uso terapêutico , Isoquinolinas/uso terapêutico , Náusea e Vômito Pós-Operatórios/prevenção & controle , Quinuclidinas/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Anestesia Geral/métodos , Antieméticos/administração & dosagem , Dexametasona/administração & dosagem , Método Duplo-Cego , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Isoquinolinas/administração & dosagem , Laparoscopia/métodos , Masculino , Palonossetrom , Náusea e Vômito Pós-Operatórios/epidemiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Qualidade de Vida , Quinuclidinas/administração & dosagem , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
CONTEXT: Surgery-induced neuroinflammation has been implicated in the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that meloxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, preserves postoperative cognitive function and inhibits surgery-induced neuroinflammation in a mouse model. DESIGN: A mouse model of splenectomy-induced inflammation. METHODS: Sixty Swiss Webster male mice (6-8 week old) were randomised into six groups that underwent splenectomy. Animals in groups 1-4 were tested once on day 1, 5, 9 or 14 to determine the time course of delayed transient cognitive dysfunction associated with splenectomy. Animals in groups 5 and 6 were tested once on day 5 or 9 to determine the ability of the NSAID meloxicam to attenuate cognitive dysfunction. INTERVENTION: Animals in groups 1-4 received one dose 500 µl intraperitoneal physiological saline 24 h after splenectomy. Animals in groups 5 and 6 received one dose of intraperitoneal meloxicam (60 mg kg in 500 µl saline) 24 h after splenectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Short-term working memory as determined by Object Recognition Test (ORT) index on days 1, 5, 9 and 14 was the first main outcome. Tomato lectin staining histochemistry of glial cells was assessed on days 1, 5, 9 and 14 as a second main outcome. RESULTS: Compared with day 1 (group 1), the mean ORT indices at day 5 (group 2) and day 9 (group 3) were decreased by 27.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9 to 54.1%, P = 0.04] and 23.8% (95% CI, 4.3 to 51.9%, P = 0.09), respectively. At day 5 (group 5) and day 9 (group 6), the ORT indices in the meloxicam groups were reduced by 6.6% (95% CI: -11.4 to 24.5%) and 4.3% (95% CI: -25.3 to 34.0). Thus, the administration of meloxicam attenuated the decrease in ORT indices (P = 0.031). Histochemical staining with tomato lectin showed features of microglia activation at day 5 and 9, which was reduced by the administration of meloxicam. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that COX-2-dependent mechanisms may play a role in the development of POCD. This effect may be dependent on the modulation of glial cell activation.
Assuntos
Memória de Curto Prazo/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuroglia/fisiologia , Esplenectomia/métodos , Tiazinas/farmacologia , Tiazóis/farmacologia , Animais , Ciclo-Oxigenase 2/metabolismo , Inibidores de Ciclo-Oxigenase/farmacologia , Inflamação , Masculino , Meloxicam , Memória , Camundongos , Neuroglia/citologia , Neuroglia/metabolismo , Reconhecimento Psicológico/efeitos dos fármacos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Long non-coding RNA Homeobox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is recognized as a participant in different processes of normal cell development. Aberrant overexpression of HOTAIR contributes to the initiation, growth, and invasiveness of ovarian cancer. Using the affinity interaction of target HOTAIR lncRNA sequences towards a screen-printed gold electrode (SPE-Au), herein we report on a novel, rapid and simple method to detect HOTAIR sequences. HOTAIR lncRNA sequences were first extracted from ovarian cancer cell lines and patient plasma samples and were magnetically captured and purified by complimentary capture probe-functionalized magnetic beads. Isolated target HOTAIR lncRNAs were directly adsorbed onto unmodified screen-printed gold electrodes (SPE-Au) for direct quantification with [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox couple. Our assay achieved a linear dynamic range of 100 nM and 1 pM for detecting pre-clinical model HOTAIR lncRNA samples (%RSD ≤ 5%, for n = 3) and was highly specific, showing clear distinction between HOTAIR lncRNA targets and non-specific miR-891 and miR-486 (100 nM) (%RSD ≤ 5%, for n = 3). The method was tested using ovarian cancer-specific cell lines (SKOV3 and OVCAR3) and mesothelial cell line (MeT-5A)-derived lncRNAs. The analytical performance of our method was validated using RT-qPCR. Finally, the method was tested using clinical samples from ovarian cancer patients and the resulting electrochemical responses show a clear distinction between the ovarian carcinoma and benign samples.