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The spinal anti-inflammatory mechanism of motor cortex stimulation: cause of success and refractoriness in neuropathic pain?
No full textAbstract\ud
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Background\ud
Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is an effective treatment in neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacological management. However, analgesia is not satisfactorily obtained in one third of patients. Given the importance of understanding the mechanisms to overcome therapeutic limitations, we addressed the question: what mechanisms can explain both MCS effectiveness and refractoriness? Considering the crucial role of spinal neuroimmune activation in neuropathic pain pathophysiology, we hypothesized that modulation of spinal astrocyte and microglia activity is one of the mechanisms of action of MCS.\ud
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Methods\ud
Rats with peripheral neuropathy (chronic nerve injury model) underwent MCS and were evaluated with a nociceptive test. Following the test, these animals were divided into two groups: MCS-responsive and MCS-refractory. We also evaluated a group of neuropathic rats not stimulated and a group of sham-operated rats. Some assays included rats with peripheral neuropathy that were treated with AM251 (a cannabinoid antagonist/inverse agonist) or saline before MCS. Finally, we performed immunohistochemical analyses of glial cells (microglia and astrocytes), cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), cannabinoid type 2 (CB2), μ-opioid (MOR), and purinergic P2X4 receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (DHSC).\ud
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Findings\ud
MCS reversed mechanical hyperalgesia, inhibited astrocyte and microglial activity, decreased proinflammatory cytokine staining, enhanced CB2 staining, and downregulated P2X4 receptors in the DHSC ipsilateral to sciatic injury. Spinal MOR staining was also inhibited upon MCS. Pre-treatment with AM251 blocked the effects of MCS, including the inhibitory mechanism on cells. Finally, MCS-refractory animals showed similar CB2, but higher P2X4 and MOR staining intensity in the DHSC in comparison to MCS-responsive rats.\ud
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Conclusions\ud
These results indicate that MCS induces analgesia through a spinal anti-neuroinflammatory effect and the activation of the cannabinoid and opioid systems via descending inhibitory pathways. As a possible explanation for MCS refractoriness, we propose that CB2 activation is compromised, leading to cannabinoid resistance and consequently to the perpetuation of neuroinflammation and opioid inefficacy.Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP: 2009/50772-4 and 2012/11925-2
Comparisons of foot anthropometry and plantar arch indices between German and Brazilian children
No full textAbstract\ud
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Background\ud
Nowadays, trades and research have become closely related between different countries and anthropometric data are important for the development in global markets. The appropriate use of anthropometry may improve wellbeing, health, comfort and safety especially for footwear design. For children a proper fit of footwear is very important, not constraining foot growth and allowing a normal development. The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric characteristics of German and Brazilian children’s feet from 3 to 10 years of age.\ud
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Methods\ud
We compared five indirect measures of two databases of children's feet. Forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot widths were measured in static footprints and the Chippaux-Smirak and Staheli indices of the longitudinal arch were calculated.\ud
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Results\ud
Brazilian children showed a significantly narrower forefoot from 5 to 10 years, wider rearfoot from 3 to 4 years, wider midfoot for 4 year-olds and narrower midfoot for 10 year-old children. Nevertheless, the Chippaux-Smirak and Staheli indices showed no group differences. The only exception was for 4 year-old Brazilian children who showed a higher Chippaux-Smirak index compared to German children (48.4 ± 17.7%; 42.1 ± 13.8%).\ud
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Conclusions\ud
Our study revealed anthropometric differences in absolute forefoot and rearfoot widths of German and Brazilian children, but a similar longitudinal arch development. At 4 years of age, Brazilian children present a foot anthropometry similar to the 3 year-olds and develop the plantar longitudinal arch from 4 to 5 years more rapidly when compared to German children.FAPESPDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaf (DFG
Effects of bovine leukemia virus infection on milk neutrophil function and the milk lymphocyte profile
No full textThe effects of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) on the immune response have been extensively investigated; however, its effects on mammary gland immunity are only speculative. Although BLV has a tropism for B cells, it can affect both adaptive and innate immunities because these systems share many effector mechanisms. This scenario is the basis of this investigation of the effects of BLV on mammary gland immunity, which is largely dependent upon neutrophilic functions. Thus, the present study sought to examine neutrophilic functions and the lymphocyte profile in the milk of naturally BLV-infected cows. The viability of the milk neutrophils and the percentage of milk neutrophils that produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) or phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus were similar between BLV-infected and BLV-uninfected dairy cows. Furthermore, the expression of CD62L and CD11b by the milk neutrophils and the percentage of milk neutrophils (CH138+ cells) that were obtained from the udder quarters of the BLV-infected cows were not altered. Conversely, the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) representing intracellular ROS production and the phagocytosis of S. aureus, the expression of CD44 by the milk neutrophils and the percentage of apoptotic B cells were lower in the milk cells from BLV-infected dairy cows, particularly those from animals with persistent lymphocytosis (PL). The lymphocyte subsets were not different among the groups, with the exception of the percentage of CD5−/CD11b− B cells, which was higher in the milk cells from BLV-infected cows, particularly those with PL. Thus, the present study provides novel insight into the implications of BLV infection for mammary gland immunity.São Paulo State Research Foundation [2009/50672-0
The role of enteric hormone GLP-2 in the response of bone markers to a mixed meal in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
No full textAbstract\ud
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Background\ud
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a complex disease associated with several chronic complications, including bone fragility and high fracture risk due to mechanisms not yet fully understood. The influence of the gastrointestinal tract and its hormones on bone remodeling has been demonstrated in healthy individuals. Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), an enteric hormone secreted in response to nutrient intake, has been implicated as a mediator of nutrient effects on bone remodeling. This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), bone formation marker osteocalcin, and GLP-2 in response to a mixed meal in diabetic postmenopausal women.\ud
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Methods\ud
Forty-three postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis (20 controls – group CO – and 23 diabetic – group T2D) were subjected to a standard mixed meal tolerance test, with determination of serum CTX, plasma osteocalcin and serum GLP-2 concentrations at baseline and 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after the meal.\ud
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Results\ud
T2D women had higher body mass index as well as higher femoral neck and total hip bone mineral density. At baseline, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, osteocalcin and CTX levels were lower in group T2D. In response to the mixed meal, CTX and osteocalcin levels decreased and GLP-2 levels increased in both groups. The expected CTX suppression in response to the mixed meal was lower in group T2D.\ud
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Conclusions\ud
Bone turnover markers were significantly reduced in T2D women at baseline. Confirming the role of nutrient intake as a stimulating factor, GLP-2 increased in response to the mixed meal in both groups. Importantly, CTX variation in response to the mixed meal was reduced in T2D women, suggesting abnormal response of bone remodeling to nutrient intake in T2D.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de nível superior (CAPES
Effects of nitric oxide-related compounds in the acute ketamine animal model of schizophrenia
No full textAbstract\ud
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Background\ud
Better treatments for schizophrenia are urgently needed. The therapeutic use of the nitric oxide (NO)-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in patients with schizophrenia has shown promising results. The role of NO in schizophrenia is still unclear, and NO modulation is unexplored in ketamine (KET) animal models to date. In the present study, we compared the behavioral effects of pre- and post-treatment with SNP, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), and methylene blue (MB) in the acute KET animal model of schizophrenia.\ud
The present study was designed to test whether acute SNP, GTN, and MB treatment taken after (therapeutic effect) or before (preventive effect) a single KET injection would influence the behavior of rats in the sucrose preference test, object recognition task and open field.\ud
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Results\ud
The results showed that KET induced cognitive deficits and hyperlocomotion. Long- term memory improvement was seen with the therapeutic GTN and SNP treatment, but not with the preventive one. MB pretreatment resulted in long-term memory recovery. GTN pre-, but not post-treatment, tended to increase vertical and horizontal activity in the KET model. Therapeutic and preventive SNP treatment consistently decreased KET-induced hyperlocomotion.\ud
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Conclusion\ud
NO donors – especially SNP – are promising new pharmacological candidates in the treatment of schizophrenia. In addition, we showed that the potential impact of NO-related compounds on KET-induced behavioral changes may depend on the temporal window of drug administration.FAPESPCNPqCAPE
Slipper lobsters (Scyllaridae) off the southeastern coast of Brazil: relative growth, population structure, and reproductive biology
No full textThe hooded slipper lobster (Scyllarides deceptor) and Brazilian\ud
slipper lobster (S. brasiliensis) are commonly caught by fishing fleets (with double-trawling and longline pots and traps) off the southeastern coast of Brazil. Their reproductive biology is poorly known and research on these 2 species would benefit efforts in resource management. This study characterized the population structure of these exploited species on the basis of sampling from May 2006 to April 2007 off the coast of Santos, Brazil. Data for the absolute fecundity, size at maturity in females, reproductive period, and morphometric relationships of the dominant species, the hooded slipper lobster, are presented. Significant differential growth was not observed between juveniles and adults of each sex, although there was a small investment of energy in the width and length of the abdomen in females and in the carapace length for males in larger animals (>25 cm in total length [TL]). Ovigerous females were caught more frequently in shallow waters in August–September than in January–February, indicating a possible migration to spawn. Fecundity ranged from 55,800 to 184,200 eggs (mean fecundity: 115,000 [standard deviation 43,938] eggs). The spawning period occurred twice a year, with a higher relative frequency between July and October, and the length at 50% maturity for females was ~25 cm TL; both these findings should be considered by resource managers. Proper management of catches of slipper lobsters is important because of the high economic value of this fishery
Feeding habits of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in an area of sylvatic transmission of yellow fever in the state of São Paulo, Brazil
No full textAbstract\ud
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Background\ud
The reintroduction of sylvatic yellow fever in the state of São Paulo after about six decades was confirmed in the Northwestern region in 2000, where in 2008 there also occurred an important epizootic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding habits of culicids potentially involved in the sylvatic transmission of the virus in this region.\ud
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Methods\ud
Specimens were collected in 24 forested localities at ground level with hand nets and mouth aspirators. Collections were made quarterly between October 2006 and July 2008 during daylight hours. Blood-meal identification was carried out in mosquitoes of the tribes Aedini, Mansoniini and Sabethini. The biotin/avidin sandwich ELISA was employed to determine six source types: bird, bovine, equine, rat, human and monkey.\ud
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Results\ud
A total of 24,879 females of the three tribes were obtained, 245 (0.98%) of which were engorged. The presence of three different blood sources per engorged female was the predominant situation, and included 35.10% of the total of samples processed. Samples with two or four different sources were represented by 25.31% and 25.71%, of the specimens, respectively, while just 9.39% had only one type and 1.22%, five different sources. Aedes scapularis, Ae. serratus (Group), Psorophora albigenu and Ps. ferox were the most abundant species and accounted for about 95% of the engorged specimens. Of the principal vector species, Haemagogus janthinomys/capricornii was found with bird, bovine and primate blood. These sources were predominant and alternated top ranking as the most frequent source according to the mosquito species and collection site. In general, primate blood was the most prevalent source.\ud
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Conclusions\ud
The human population of the region visits this ecotone frequently, which indicates the need for the periodical assessment of vaccination coverage against yellow fever. The frequency of non-human primate blood source in mosquito species that show minor vector importance in yellow fever virus transmission deserves attention. The eclectic feeding habits and some aspects of the interactions between potential vectors and reservoirs of yellow fever may be associated with the habitat fragmentation characteristic of the region. We recommend that further studies on the capacity and vector competence be performed on secondary vectors in extra-Amazonian region
Hydrothermally-induced changes in mineralogy and magnetic properties of oxidized A-type granites
No full textThe changes in magnetic mineralogy due to the hydrothermal alteration of A-type granitic rocks have been thoroughly\ud
investigated in samples fromthe granite of Tana (Corsica, France), and compared with other A-type granites:\ud
Meruoca (NE Brazil), Bushveld (South Africa), Mount Scott (Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma, USA) and the\ud
stratoid hypersolvus granites of Madagascar. The altered red-colored samples and their non-altered equivalents\ud
were magnetically characterized by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements, hysteresis loops, remanent\ud
coercivity spectra, and Lowrie test. It is shown that hydrothermalization in magnetite-bearing granites is related\ud
to the formation of fine-grained magnetite and hematite, and to coeval depletion in the content of primary lowcoercive\ud
coarse-grained magnetite. These mineralogical changes give typical rock magnetic signatures, namely\ud
lower susceptibilitymagnitudes and anisotropy degrees, prolateAMS (anisotropy ofmagnetic susceptibility) fabrics\ud
and increased coercivities. Optical microscopy and SEM (scanning electronic microscopy) images suggest\ud
that the orientation of the secondary magnetic minerals is related to fluid-pathways and micro-fractures formed\ud
during the hydrothermal event and therefore may be unrelated to magma emplacement and crystallization fabrics.\ud
Changes inmagnetic mineralogy and grain-size distribution have also to be considered for any paleomagnetic\ud
and iron isotope studies in granites.INSU-3F (Failles, fractures, flux) 2008 projec
Uncertainties in the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment: a literature review
No full textA systematic literature search has been conducted at the intersection of e‐waste and uncertainty and the mai n uncertainties identified have been categorized. The main uncertainties identified were: Different recycling technolog ies; unknown environmental impacts; different product design and composition; unknown reverse logistics costs; vari able cost of recycling; rapidly changing nature of electrical and electronic equipment; unpredictability about return o f items concerning quantity, quality and timing; unknown destination flow of e‐waste; different value of scrap mater ials; competition between the manufacturer and the remanufacturer; no common legislation at the national and global level ; outdated political aspects; and complexity of regulation