BKCa Channel Activation Attenuates the Pathophysiological Progression of Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Wistar Rats

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy - In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of a selective BKCa channel opener (compound X) in the treatment of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial...     

Adolescent but not adult rats exhibit ethanol-mediated appetitive second-order conditioning

Background: Adolescent rats are less sensitive to the sedative effects of ethanol than older animals. They also seem to perceive the reinforcing properties of ethanol. However, unlike neonates or infants, ethanol‐mediated appetitive behavior is yet to be clearly shown in adolescents. Appetitive ethanol reinforcement was assessed in adolescent (postnatal day 33, P33) and adult rats (P71) through second‐order conditioning (SOC). Methods: On P32 or P70, animals were intragastrically administered ethanol (0.5 or 2.0 g/kg) paired with intra‐oral pulses of sucrose (CS₁, first‐order conditioning phase). CS₁ delivery took place either 5–20 (early pairing) or 30–45 minutes (late pairing) following ethanol administration. The time interval between CS₁ exposure and ethanol administration was 240 minutes in unpaired controls. On P33 or P71, animals were presented the CS₁ (second‐order conditioning phase) in a distinctive chamber (CS₂, second‐order conditioning). Then they were tested for CS₂ preference. Results: Early and late paired adolescents, but not adults, had greater preference for the CS₂ than controls, a result indicative of ontogenetic variation in ethanol‐mediated reinforcement. During the CS₁‐CS₂ associative phase, paired adolescents given 2.0 g/kg ethanol wall‐climbed more than controls. Blood and brain ethanol levels associated with the 0.5 and 2.0 g/kg doses at the onset of each conditioning phase did not differ substantially across age, with mean blood ethanol concentration of 38 and 112 mg%. Conclusions: These data indicate age‐related differences between adolescent and adult rats in terms of sensitivity to ethanol’s motivational effects. Adolescents exhibited high sensitivity for ethanol’s appetitive effects. These animals also showed ethanol‐mediated behavioral activation during the SOC phase. The SOC preparation provides a valuable conditioning model for assessing ethanol’s motivational effects across ontogeny.     

Ex-vivo purging of hematopoietic progenitor cells

High-dose chemoradiation therapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell support is effective treatment for patients with a variety of high-risk malignancies. In this setting, tumor cell contamination of the hematopoietic progenitor cell product is a frequently observed problem. The malignant cells in the autograft may be a source of relapse after transplant. Purging the hematopoietic cell grafts ex-vivo may eradicate malignant cells that may contaminate the autologous product. This chapter describes the major purging strategies that have been investigated clinically over the past decade. This investigation includes negative purging with pharmacologic agents and monoclonal antibodies, positive selection with immunoadsorption, immunomagnetic and flow cytometric sorting techniques, ex-vivo culture method, treatment with cytotoxic T cells, and virally mediated purging methods.     

Severe hypoleptinaemia associated with insulin resistance in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Objective Common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) is a primary immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by impaired production of antibodies and recurrent infections. Delay in diagnosis leads to metabolic wastage and low body weight. Leptin, a hormone produced by white adipose tissue, modulates insulin action by signal transduction cross‐talk and by direct action on pancreatic beta‐cells. We hypothesized that patients with CVI might present a defective regulation of leptin production and insulin resistance. Patients Thirteen CVI patients (39 ± 11 years) under gammaglobulin replacement were evaluated in parallel with 13 gender‐, age‐, body weight‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched healthy voluntaries, and with data from two large population series, the Bruneck and the Hoorn Studies. Measurements Serum leptin and insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), body composition, haematological, biochemical and immunoglobulin measurements were obtained. Data were analysed by a one‐way analysis of variance (anova ) and by Pearson's rank analysis. The institutional ethics committee approved the study, and informed consent was obtained from patients and controls. Results No differences were found between CVI and the control group when comparing gender distribution, age, body weight, BMI, waist/hip ratio, relative body fat and fasting glucose levels. Leptin levels were lower (P < 0·05) in CVI patients than in controls and lower than fasting leptin levels detected in a large population study. CVI patients’ serum leptin levels did not correlate with BMI (r = 0·074, P = 0·8) and their high HOMA‐IR indicated insulin resistance. Conclusions CVI patients are relatively hypoleptinaemic and insulin resistant, and their serum leptin levels are not correlated to their BMI.     

COVID-19 pandemic impacts physical activity levels and sedentary time but not sleep quality in young badminton athletes

Purpose

Regular physical activity is a good strategy to maintain the health of athletes, and prevent pain and decreased joint flexibility during the pandemic. On the other hand, higher sedentary time during the pandemic period can have deleterious effects. The objective of this study was to compare physical activity levels, sedentary time, and sleep parameters during the pre-COVID period and the COVID-19 pandemic period in young badminton athletes.

Methods

Fifteen young badminton athletes were evaluated during a pre-COVID period (July 2019) and during the COVID-19 period (July 2020). Sleep parameters, physical activity level, and sedentary time were measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Participants wore the accelerometer on their dominant wrist for 7 days consecutively. In addition, the average of each sleep parameter [time in bed and total sleep time in hours per day, sleep efficiency (%), wake after sleep onset (WASO, total per day), and sleep latency (minutes per day)] was reported over the 7-day period.

Results

Athletes presented increased sedentary time (pre-COVID?=?7.0?±?1.1 vs.COVID-19?=?8.9?±?1.9 h/day, p?=?0.004, d?=?1.30) and significant decreases in the total PA observed in counts per day (pre-COVID?=?2,967,064.4?±?671,544.1 vs. COVID-19?=?1,868,210.2?±?449,768.4 counts/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.99), time in vigorous PA (pre-COVID?=?7.7?±?0.9 vs. COVID-19?=?6.1?±?1.2 h/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.56), and time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (pre-COVID?=?8.1?±?0.9 vs. COVID-19?=?6.5?±?1.3 h/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.48). There were no significant differences for time in light and moderate PA or in sleep parameters (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion

Young badminton athletes presented increased sedentary time, and decreased total physical activity, time in MVPA, and time in vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID period, however, there were no significant differences in sleep parameters.

     

Establishment of Tunga trimamillata (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) in Brazil

Tunga trimamillata is a species of sand flea occurring in Ecuador and Peru parasitizing cattle, goat, sheep, swine, and man. This is the first report of this species in Brazil, having been found on the hooves of cows in Barretos, São Paulo State, and Felixlândia, Minas Gerais State, and previously misidentified as Tunga penetrans. A previous report concerning Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris from Rio Novo, Minas Gerais State, may also be attributed to that species of sand flea, a possible the primary host. Given the large geographical distribution of T. trimamillata, the vast cattle population in Brazil, and the high number of individuals subject to the risk of tungiasis, the number of cases attributed to this sand flea will most likely increase over time.     

Identification of Culturable and Nonculturable Microorganisms,Lipopolysaccharides, and Lipoteichoic Acids From Root Canals of Teeth With Endodontic Failure

AimTo elucidate the presence of apical periodontitis in the root canal of teeth with secondary/persistent infection, including composition of microbiota, levels of endotoxins and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and clinical implications of these findings.MethodSamples were collected from root canals of 50 patients who needed endodontic retreatment and had radiographic evidence of apical periodontitis. Microorganisms were identified by using the culture technique and biochemical tests. Nested–polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) was used to identify 17 species of specific bacteria. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and LTAs were quantified by using, respectively, limulus amebocyte lysate and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests.ResultsBacteria were detected in all samples by culture and molecular methods. A total of 154 gram-positive strains, of 188 strains isolated, were found in the root canals by culture. Enterococcus faecalis and Gemella morbillorum were the most prevalent species identified by the biochemical tests, whereas molecular analyses (nested-PCR) showed a high frequency of P. gingivalis, E. faecalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. LPS and LTA were detected in all samples, with mean values being 3.52 EU/mL and 597.83 pg/mL, respectively. Significant statistical correlations were found between levels of LTA and clinical features.ConclusionDespite the prevalence of gram-positives, the microbiota present in secondary/persistent infections showed a large variety of species. Within this diversity, associations were found between specific bacteria and clinical features. In addition, higher levels of LTA were statistically associated with larger periapical radiolucent areas, but no correlation between this feature and LPS was found.