Fungi predatory activity on embryonated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxocara canis</Emphasis> eggs inoculated in domestic chickens (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallus gallus domesticus</Emphasis>) and destruction of second stage larvae

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after interacting with isolated nematophagous fungi of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4), and test the predatory activity of the isolated AC001 on T. canis second stage larvae after 7 days of interaction. In assay A, 5000 embryonated T. canis eggs previously in contact with the AC001 and VC4 isolated for 10 days were inoculated into domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and then these animals were necropsied to collect material (digested liver, intestine, muscles and lungs) at 3-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals after inoculation. In assay A, the results demonstrated that the prior interaction of the eggs with isolated AC001 and VC4 decreases the amount of larvae found in the collected organs. Difference (p?<?0.01) was observed in the medium larvae counts recovered from liver, lung, intestine, and muscle of animals in the treated groups when compared to the animals in the control group. At the end of assay A, a percentage reduction of 87.1 % (AC001) and 84.5 % (VC4) respectively was recorded. In the result of assay B, the isolated AC001 showed differences (p?<?0.01) compared to the control group, with a reduction of 53.4 % in the recovery of L₂. Through these results, it is justified to mention that prior interaction of embryonated T. canis eggs with the tested fungal isolates were efficient in reducing the development and migration of this parasite, in addition to the first report of proven predatory activity on L₂.     

Interferon-alpha and -beta differentially regulate osteoclastogenesis: role of differential induction of chemokine CXCL11 expression

In humans, type I interferon (IFN) is a family of 17 cytokines, among which the alpha subtypes and the beta subtype are differentially expressed. It has been suggested that IFN-beta activates a specific signaling cascade in addition to those activated by all type I IFNs. Nevertheless, no true biological relevance for a differential activity of alpha and beta IFN subtypes has been identified so far. Because type I IFNs are critical for the regulation of osteoclastogenesis in mice, we have compared the effect of IFN-alpha2 and IFN-beta on the differentiation of human monocytes into osteoclasts. Primary monocytes undergoing osteoclastic differentiation are highly and equally sensitive to both alpha2 and beta IFNs as determined by measuring the induction levels of several IFN-stimulated genes. However, IFN-beta was 100-fold more potent than the alpha2 subtype at inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. Expression profiling of the genes differentially regulated by IFN-alpha2 and IFN-beta in this cellular system revealed the chemokine CXCL11 as the only IFN-induced gene differentially up-regulated by IFN-beta. We show that recombinant CXCL11 by itself inhibits osteoclastic differentiation. These results indicate that autocrine-acting CXCL11 mediates, at least in part, the regulations of osteoclastogenesis by type I IFNs.     

BxCyNz hybrid graphenylene: stability and electronic properties

Interest in hybrid monolayers with arrangements that differ from that of the honeycomb lattice has been growing. However, systematic investigations on the properties of these structures are still lacking. In this work, we combined density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the stability and electronic properties of nanosheets composed of B, C, and N atoms arranged in the pattern of the carbon allotrope graphenylene. We considered twenty structures with varied atomic arrangements and stoichiometries, which we call B_xC_yN_z hybrid graphenylenes. We calculated the formation energy for each arrangement, and found that it decreases as the number of B–C and N–C bonds decreases. We also found that the structure with minimum energy has stoichiometry B₂CN and an atomic arrangement with BN and C stripes connected along the zigzag direction. Regarding the electronic properties, we found that all investigated structures are semiconductors, with band gaps ranging from 0.14 to 1.65 eV. Finally, we found that the optimized hybrid lattices presented pores of varied sizes and shapes. This diversity in pore geometry suggests that these structures might be particularly suited for molecular sieve applications.

We combine density functional theory and molecular dynamics to investigate the stability and electronic properties of 20 structures composed of boron, carbon, and nitrogen arranged in the pattern of the two-dimensional carbon allotrope graphenylene.     

Relationship of health literacy and adherence to oral anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation: a cross‐sectional study

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) has increased substantially due to the aging population and prevalence rise of atrial fibrillation (AF). Medication...     

Neuronal activity regulated pentraxin (narp) and GluA4 subunit of AMPA receptor may be targets for fluoxetine modulation

Fluoxetine is the foremost prescribed antidepressant. Drugs acting on monoaminergic system may also regulate glutamatergic system. Indeed, the investigation of proteins associated with this system, such as Narp (neuronal activity-dependent pentraxin) and GluA4 subunit of AMPA receptor may reveal poorly explored modulations triggered by conventional antidepressants. This study aimed to uncover neurochemical mechanisms underlying the chronic fluoxetine treatment, mainly by evaluating these protein targets in the prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampus. Mice received a daily administration of fluoxetine (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) or potable water (vehicle group) for 21 days. These animals were submitted to the forced swim test (FST) to verify antidepressant-like responses and the open-field test (OFT) to assess locomotor activity. Modulation of signaling proteins was analyzed by western blot. Chronic treatment with fluoxetine (1 and 10 mg/kg) was effective, since it reduced the immobility time in the FST, without altering locomotor activity. Fluoxetine 10 mg/kg increased CREB phosphorylation and BDNF expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Noteworthy, in the hippocampus fluoxetine also promoted Akt activation and augmented Narp expression. In the prefrontal cortex, a significant decrease in the expression of the GluA4 subunit and Narp were observed following fluoxetine administration (10 mg/kg). The results provide evidence of novel molecular targets potentially involved in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, since in mature rodents Narp and GluA4 are mainly expressed in the GABAergic parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons. This may bring new insights into the molecular elements involved in the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.

     

Water-based resistance training program with isolated concentric action improves physical functional capacity and muscular strength in older women

Background

Resistance training has proven to be an excellent method for counteracting aging physical dysfunctions. However, its application in the liquid environment is not yet fully elucidated.

Aim

To investigate the effects of water-based resistance training (WBRT) with the concentric phase performed as fast as possible, compared to conventional resistance training (CRT), on physical functional capacity, muscle strength, and body composition in older women.

Methods

Thirteen healthy older women participated in the WBRT and 11 in the CRT. Estimation statistics focused on the effect size of the experiment/intervention were used. We also analyzed the intervention effect based on the percentage delta between WBRT and CRT.

Results

The WBRT group showed a negative large effect (d?=?? 0.922; p?=?0.0274) for the timed up and go, and a large effect for chair rise in 30″ and the elbow flex test (d?=?1.58; p?=?0.0012; d?=?2.8; p?=?0.01) respectively. Intervention comparisons based on the delta percentage between WBRT and CRT presented an intermediate effect (d?=?0.606; p?=?0.157) for the stair climb, a large effect (d?=?0.988; p?=?0.0282) for the timed up and go, and a large negative effect [d?=?? 1.32 (90.0% CI ? 1.92, ? 0.646); p?=?0.0038] for the elbow flex test. Concentric extensor-flexor peak torque (60°/s) showed an intermediate effect (d?=?0.749; p?=?0.0876; d?=?0.65; p?=?0.122 respectively). Body fat (%) demonstrated an intermediate effect (d?=?0.523; p?=?0.234).

Conclusion

WBRT with the concentric phase performed as fast as possible was able to improve physical functional capacity and maximal knee extension strength of older women.

     

Use of automated external defibrillators in a Brazilian airline. A 1-year experience

After the incorporation of automated external defibrillators by other airlines and the support of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, Varig Airlines began the onboard defibrillation program with the initial purpose of equipping wide-body aircrafts frequently used in international flights and that airplanes use in the Rio - S?o Paulo route. With all flight attendants trained, the automated external defibrillation devices were incorporated to 34 airplanes of a total fleet of 80 aircrafts. The devices were installed in the baggage compartments secured with velcro straps and 2 pairs of electrodes, one or which pre-connected to the device to minimize application time. Later, a portable monitor was address to the resuscitation kit in the long flights. The expansion of the knowledge of the basic life support fundamentors and the corrected implantation of the survival chain and of the automated external defibrillators will increase the extense of recovery of cardiorespiratory arrest victims in aircrafts.