Rapid onset of renal sympathetic nerve activation in rabbits fed a high-fat diet

Hypertension and elevated sympathetic drive result from consumption of a high-calorie diet and deposition of abdominal fat, but the etiology and temporal characteristics are unknown. Rabbits instrumented for telemetric recording of arterial pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were fed a high-fat diet for 3 weeks then control diet for 1 week or control diet for 4 weeks. Baroreflexes and responses to air-jet stress and hypoxia were determined weekly. After 1 week of high-fat diet, caloric intake increased by 62%, accompanied by elevated body weight, blood glucose, plasma insulin, and leptin (8%, 14%, 134%, and 252%, respectively). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and RSNA also increased after 1 week (6%, 11%, and 57%, respectively). Whereas mean arterial pressure and body weight continued to rise over 3 weeks of high-fat diet, heart rate and RSNA did not change further. The RSNA baroreflex was attenuated from the first week of the diet. Excitatory responses to air-jet stress diminished over 3 weeks of high-fat diet, but responses to hypoxia were invariant. Resumption of a normal diet returned glucose, insulin, leptin, and heart rate to control levels, but body weight, mean arterial pressure, and RSNA remained elevated. In conclusion, elevated sympathetic drive and impaired baroreflex function, which occur within 1 week of consumption of a high-fat, high-calorie diet, appear integral to the rapid development of obesity-related hypertension. Increased plasma leptin and insulin may contribute to the initiation of hypertension but are not required for maintenance of mean arterial pressure, which likely lies in alterations in the response of neurons in the hypothalamus.

An emergency response to literacy : NAPLAN on MySchool

This article considers the ‘unintended consequences’ of the publication of the NAPLAN results on the ‘MySchool’ website, and what that has meant for leadership teams, teachers, students and parents in many schools. This article is written from the data cited in the VATE submission to the Australian Federal Senate Inquiry into ‘unintended consequences’ of NAPLAN, but does not represent the official position of the association – it represents my own views and the views of some of the membership who responded to the survey. This said, most of the data we collected was extremely negative towards NAPLAN, and there were fewer than five of the 88 respondents who had positive things to say about NAPLAN. Obviously teachers who felt the effects more strongly were more motivated to participate, but even accounting for this, the data collected showed a significant number of teachers and schools who were experiencing extremely negative impacts from the testing and publication regime. In this article I have theorised that one of the consequences of this has been to push some schools into acting in an emergency mode, triaging their literacy curriculum in an attempt to perform better in NAPLAN.

Integrating multibeam backscatter angular response, mosaic and bathymetry data for benthic habitat mapping

Multibeam echosounders (MBES) are increasingly becoming the tool of choice for marine habitat mapping applications. In turn, the rapid expansion of habitat mapping studies has resulted in a need for automated classification techniques to efficiently map benthic habitats, assess confidence in model outputs, and evaluate the importance of variables driving the patterns observed. The benthic habitat characterisation process often involves the analysis of MBES bathymetry, backscatter mosaic or angular response with observation data providing ground truth. However, studies that make use of the full range of MBES outputs within a single classification process are limited. We present an approach that integrates backscatter angular response with MBES bathymetry, backscatter mosaic and their derivatives in a classification process using a Random Forests (RF) machine-learning algorithm to predict the distribution of benthic biological habitats. This approach includes a method of deriving statistical features from backscatter angular response curves created from MBES data collated within homogeneous regions of a backscatter mosaic. Using the RF algorithm we assess the relative importance of each variable in order to optimise the classification process and simplify models applied. The results showed that the inclusion of the angular response features in the classification process improved the accuracy of the final habitat maps from 88.5% to 93.6%. The RF algorithm identified bathymetry and the angular response mean as the two most important predictors. However, the highest classification rates were only obtained after incorporating additional features derived from bathymetry and the backscatter mosaic. The angular response features were found to be more important to the classification process compared to the backscatter mosaic features. This analysis indicates that integrating angular response information with bathymetry and the backscatter mosaic, along with their derivatives, constitutes an important improvement for studying the distribution of benthic habitats, which is necessary for effective marine spatial planning and resource management.

Modelling emergency response communication systems

Subsequent to the Australian 'Black Saturday' bushfires there were a number of issues arising from investigations with regard to the functional stability and resilience of communications systems and the flow of information between emergency response organisations, and their ability to provide relevant information to the general public. In some cases, the transference of information failed or was late or ineffective with regard to decisions, advice and information broadcasting during the crisis. This was particularly evident in terms of managing emergency organisational information requests and field situational advice both to and from emergency response management teams and the delivery of informative advice to the public. This paper analyses one such case study with a view of applying a systems modelling technique to determine the viability of the communication systems and information exchange structures associated with an emergency response agency.

Rapid effects of essential fatty acid deficiency on growth and development parameters and transcription of key fatty acid metabolism genes in juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a catadromous teleost of significant and growing commercial importance, are reported to have limited fatty acid bioconversion capability and therefore require preformed long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) as dietary essential fatty acid (EFA). In this study, the response of juvenile barramundi (47·0 g/fish initial weight) fed isolipidic and isoenergetic diets with 8·2 % added oil was tested. The experimental test diets were either devoid of fish oil (FO), and thus with no n-3 LC-PUFA (FO FREE diet), or with a low inclusion of FO (FO LOW diet). These were compared against a control diet containing only FO (FO CTRL diet) as the added lipid source, over an 8-week period. Interim samples and measurements were taken fortnightly during the trial in order to define the aetiology of the onset and progression of EFA deficiency. After 2 weeks, the fish fed the FO FREE and FO LOW diets had significantly lower live-weights, and after 8 weeks significant differences were detected for all performance parameters. The fish fed the FO FREE diet also had a significantly higher incidence of external abnormalities. The transcription of several genes involved in fatty acid metabolism was affected after 2 weeks of feeding, showing a rapid nutritional regulation. This experiment documents the aetiology of the onset and the progression of EFA deficiency in juvenile barramundi and demonstrates that such deficiencies can be detected within 2 weeks in juvenile fish.

Peripheral proinflammatory markers associated with ketamine response in a preclinical model of antidepressant-resistance

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. Ketamine, N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and anti-inflammatory agent, has rapid therapeutic effects in a subset of patients with more intractable forms of depression. Irregular proinflammatory cytokine and acute-reactive protein levels have been reported in clinical and preclinical depression research. We explored the association between the rapid antidepressant-like effects of ketamine and peripheral proinflammatory profile in a model of antidepressant-resistance. Male Wistar rats were pre-treated with ACTH-(1-24) 100. μg/d or saline (0.9%) for 14. d. Antidepressant-like effects were assessed with the forced swim test (FST). Ketamine (10. mg/kg) significantly reduced immobility duration in saline-pretreated control animals. In contrast, a divergent response was observed in ACTH-pretreated antidepressant resistant animals, with 50% responders and 50% non-responders. Plasma samples were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Levels of CRP and TNFα differentiated ketamine responders and non-responders.

Effects of commercial diets and temperature on the growth performance and stress response of hapuku (Polyprion oxygeneios)

There is a growing interest in the development of hapuku (Polyprion oxygeneios) for aquaculture in New Zealand and Australia. This is driven by the high value of this species prized for its excellent flesh quality, texture and its rapid growth capability. As a relatively new aquaculture candidate, little is currently known about their thermal tolerance and stress response. Juveniles inhabit surface waters, have a high rate of growth and move into a demersal habitat at an age between 3 and 4 years, where water temperature is cooler (7-15. °C) and more stable. The sea surface temperature in New Zealand can reach 22. °C during the summer months in more northerly locations, and captive rearing has indicated that during periods of high temperature, growth is reduced and it is possible that the physiological response is compromised. We examined the effects of two rearing temperatures (18. °C and 22. °C) and three commercial diets on the growth of P. oxygeneios during a 14 week trial. At the end of this trial, fish were exposed to a crowding stressor, and their stress response (plasma cortisol, glucose and cholesterol levels) determined. In addition, we examined the temporal stress response of P. oxygeneios acclimated to 18. °C and 22. °C subjected to a single acute handling stress. Specific growth rate and condition factor significantly increased over time in fish reared at 18. °C, but not at 22. °C. Plasma cortisol levels in hapuku prior to and after application of the stressors were within the range observed in other teleost species and the magnitude of the cortisol response was higher in hapuku subjected to crowding than handling stress. In summary, the results indicated that rearing P. oxygeneios at temperatures of 22. °C compromised their growth and that all three diets tested promoted growth in hapuku reared at 18. °C but not at 22. °C.Statement of relevanceHapuku over 1 kg had better growth rates at 18. °C than 22. °C.

Identificação de crianças e adolescentes com suspeita de câncer: uma proposta de intervenção

Unlike adult cancer, where cells usually originate from epithelial tissue and is linked to environmental factors, malignant tumors in childhood are mostly of embryonic origin and have a phase of rapid proliferation. When not started chemotherapy at this stage, the tumor increases in size, reducing their growth rate, thus reducing the response to chemotherapy. Childhood cancer is in Brazil, the second cause of mortality among children and adolescents from one to nineteen. His impact on the ranking of diseases becomes significantly important to public health since the first issue is related to accidents and violence. Many children are still sent to the centers of high complexity for cancer treatment with advanced stage disease. The delay in referral to diagnosis can be family, or the difficulty of access to the health sector, or the characteristics of the disease and lack of health staff regarding theme of childhood cancer. Before this problem, we aimed to assess the performance of health teams in the identification of child and adolescent symptoms of cancer in primary care, through the action research methodology, which includes the teaching-learning, seminars, describing the actions of the group and discussing the activities after the training. This study involved thirty-seven health professionals who provide care for children and adolescents in the USF Felipe Shrimp II, the Support Center for Children with Cancer and the pediatric hospital UFRN during the period from March to December 2010. The data were analyzed simultaneously to evaluate actions, following the direction of the analysis of ideas Freires, having as theoretical reference the primary health care. The diagnosis of current reality, as knowledge of the health team targeted for early identification of signs and symptoms raised through questioning, presented as generative themes: resistance to change, awareness of the need for apprehension of knowledge; prior knowledge through the media, fragmentation of the healthcare network, interfering with the operation of the reference and counter, the stigma of death, among others. The selected themes enabled the choice of content for the preparation of four seminars, such as implementation of collective action for discussion problematical. The teaching-learning process has allowed the study participants awareness of the problem and work through the knowledge acquired by interfering in decreasing the time interval between the identification of signs and symptoms of cancer and early specialist treatment. Their difficulties we are faced with a diagnosis of terminal cancer and associated with delayed access to laboratory tests and imaging necessary for the diagnosis of neoplasms. Thus, we find that when the team is consciously involved in the education process from identification of the problem situation, there may be significant changes in daily activities through awareness of being. However, we also realize that acquisition of knowledge and interest of the team are not enough, since to be efficiency of our service, we need an organization of cancer care network operating in the state of Rio Grande do Norte

Cotton response to mepiquat chloride and temperature

Gibberellin inhibitor growth regulators are used for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) canopy manipulation to avoid excess growth and yield losses. However, under temperatures below or over the optimum for cotton production the effect of mepiquat chloride (MC) has not always been significant. In this experiment, cotton plants were grown in growth chambers to study the response to MC as affected by temperature and to determine if an increase in dose could overcome the temperature effects. Mepiquat chloride was applied at rates of 0, 15 and 30 g ai ha-1 at the pinhead square stage. Plants were then grown under three temperature regimes: 25/15 °C, 32/22 °C, and 39/29 °C (day/night temperatures) for 51 days. Higher temperatures increased plant height, reproductive branches, fruit number, fruit abscission, and photosynthesis per unit area, but decreased leaf area and chlorophyll. The largest effect of MC on plant height was observed when the daily temperature was 32 °C, with nights of 22 °C, which was also best for plant growth. High temperatures not only decreased the effectiveness of MC on plant height control, but also caused lower dry matter and fruit number per plant. Low temperatures (25/15 ºC) decreased cotton growth and fruit retention, but a higher concentration of MC was required per unit of growth reduction as compared with 32/22 ºC. At high temperatures, the rate of MC to be applied must be disproportionately increased, because either plant growth is impaired by high temperature lessening the effect of MC, or degradation of MC within the plant is too rapid.

Separating interface state response from parasitic effects in conductance measurements on organic metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors

A simple model is developed for the admittance of a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitor which includes the effect of a guard ring surrounding the Ohmic contact to the semiconductor. The model predicts most of the features observed in a MIS capacitor fabricated using regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) as the active semiconductor and polysilsesquioxane as the gate insulator. In particular, it shows that when the capacitor is driven into accumulation, the parasitic transistor formed by the guard ring and Ohmic contact can give rise to an additional feature in the admittance-voltage plot that could be mistaken for interface states. When this artifact and underlying losses in the bulk semiconductor are accounted for, the remaining experimental feature, a peak in the loss-voltage plot when the capacitor is in depletion, is identified as an interface (or near interface) state of density of similar to 4 x 10(10) cm(-2) eV(-1). Application of the model shows that exposure of a vacuum-annealed device to laboratory air produces a rapid change in the doping density in the channel region of the parasitic transistor but only slow changes in the bulk semiconductor covered by the gold Ohmic contact. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

Vaccine immune response and interference of colostral antibodies in calves vaccinated against rabies at 2, 4 and 6 months of age born from antirabies revaccinated females

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of light intensity and salt-treatment on mode of photosynthesis and enzymes of the antioxidative response system of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

The metabolic switch From C-3-photosynthesis to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM),and the antioxidative response of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. plants cultured under severe salt stress and high light intensities, and a combination of booth stress conditions, were studied. High light conditions led to a more rapid CAM induction than salinity. The induction time was still shortened when both stress factors were combined. A main pattern observed in CAM plants was a decrease in mitochondrial Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity during the day. The activities of the chloroplastic Fe-SOD and cytosolic CuZn-SOD were increased due to salt treatment after a lag phase, while catalase activity was decreased. Combination of salt and light stress did not lead to a higher SOD activity as found after application of one stress factor alone, indicating that there is a threshold level of the oxidative stress response. The fact that salt-stressed plants grown under high light conditions showed permanent photoinhibition and lost the ability for nocturnal malate storage after 9 d of treatment indicate serious malfunction of metabolism, leading to accelerated senescence. Comparison of CuZn-SOD activity with CuZn-SOD protein amount, which was determined immunologically, indicates that the activity of the enzyme is at least partially post-translationally regulated.

Maxillary ulceration resulting from using a rapid maxillary expander in a diabetic patient

One of the characteristics of diabetes mellitus is the exaggerated inflammatory response. The present report shows the reaction from the use of a rapid maxillary expander in a diabetic patient. A 9-year-old child presented an uncommon reaction to the treatment with a rapid maxillary expander, and on follow-up examination, it was discovered that the patient had diabetes mellitus. After controlling the disease, the proposed treatment was used without further incidents. The case calls attention to the presence of uncommon responses to treatment and the need for the orthodontist to suspect a patient's systemic compromise. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:546-550.)

In vitro propagation of Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae) as potential source for antitumoral and antioxidant quinomethide triterpenes production. A rapid quantitative method for their analysis by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Cell culture of Maytenus ilicifolia were established in order to produce and to quantify the antitumoral and antioxidant quinonemethide triterpenes. In vitro calli were induced from leaf explants of native plants and cultured in semi-solid medium under controlled conditions of humidity, temperature and photoperiod. The quinonemethide triterpenes showed maximum accumulation in the logarithmic phase growth of the cell culture. A rapid, sensitive and reliable reverse-phase HPLC method was used for quantitative determination of the antitumoral and antioxidant quinonemethide triterpenes, 22β-hydroxymaytenin and maytenin in callus of Maytenus ilicifolia. Well resolved peaks with good detection response and linearity in the range 1.0 - 100 μg/mL were obtained. This quantitative work was performed by an external standard method.

A preliminary assessment of the policies implemented by the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean in response to the crisis - May 2010 Meeting

Includes bibliography