The response of native Australian rodents to predator odours varies seasonally: a by-product of life history variation?

Small mammals are subject to predation from mammalian, avian and reptilian predators. There is an obvious advantage for prey species to detect the presence of predators in their environment, enabling them to make decisions about movement and foraging behaviour based on perceived risk of predation. We examined the effect of faecal odours from marsupial and eutherian predators, and a native reptilian predator, on the behaviour of three endemic Australian rodent species (the fawn-footed melomys, Melomys cervinipes, the bush rat, Rattus fuscipes, and the giant white-tailed rat, Uromys caudimaculatus) in rainforest remnants on the Atherton Tableland, North Queensland, Australia. Infrared camera traps were used to assess visit rates of rodents to odour stations containing faecal and control odours. Rodents avoided odour stations containing predator faeces, but did not avoid herbivore or control odours. The responses of the three prey species differed: in the late wet season U. caudimaculatus avoided predator odours, whereas R. fuscipes and M. cervinipes did not. In contrast, in the late dry season all three species avoided odour stations containing predator odours. We speculate that these different responses may result from variation in life history traits between the species. (c) 2006 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Uveitis in celiac disease with an excellent response to gluten-free diet: third case described

To describe the case of a patient with celiac disease who achieved a complete response to a gluten-free diet. A 28-year-old woman presented with diarrhea, oral ulcers, and refractory uveitis of 2.5-years duration. She was treated with prednisone, mydriatic drops, and infliximab with no response. She was referred to our hospital at which point her previous diagnosis of uveitis was confirmed; she was also diagnosed with right-sided sacro-iliitis. The patient did not have arthritis or any skin conditions. Three tests for fecal parasites and a fecal leukocyte were negative. Endoscopy revealed atrophic appearance of the duodenal mucosa. Biopsy showed atrophy of the duodenal villi with intra-epithelial lymphocytes, hyperplasia of the crypts, and chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The search for antiendomysial antibody was > 1/1,280. The patient was started on a gluten-free diet and after 3 months demonstrated significant improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms and uveitis, as well as a reduction of antiendomysial antibodies (1/80). After 6 months, there was complete remission of gastrointestinal symptoms and total control of uveitis. The antiendomysial antibody was negative at that time. Clinical uveitis as a manifestation of celiac disease has been described in only two cases in the literature. This case study is the third to demonstrate that uveitis is a clinical symptom that can be addressed in patients with celiac disease.

Mathematical constraints on a theory of human memory - Response

Colonius suggests that, in using standard set theory as the language in which to express our computational-level theory of human memory, we would need to violate the axiom of foundation in order to express meaningful memory bindings in which a context is identical to an item in the list. We circumvent Colonius's objection by allowing that a list item may serve as a label for a context without being identical to that context. This debate serves to highlight the value of specifying memory operations in set theoretic notation, as it would have been difficult if not impossible to formulate such an objection at the algorithmic level.

Response programming in dementia of the Alzheimer type: A kinematic analysis

Although planning is important for the functioning of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT), little is known about response programming in DAT. This study used a cueing paradigm coupled with quantitative kinematic analysis to document the preparation and execution of movements made by a group of 12 DAT patients and their age and sex matched controls. Participants connected a series of targets placed upon a WACOM SD420 graphics tablet, in response to the pattern of illumination of a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one condition, participants could programme the upcoming movement, whilst in another they were forced to reprogramme this movement on-line (i.e. they were not provided with advance information about the location of the upcoming target). DAT patients were found to have programming deficits, taking longer to initiate movements; particularly in the absence of cues. While problems spontaneously programming a movement might cause a greater reliance upon on-line guidance, when both groups were required to guide the movement on-line, DAT patients continued to show slower and less efficient movements implying declining sensori-motor function; these differences were not simply due to strategy or medication status. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Adult-onset Still`s Disease with Pulmonary and Cardiac Involvement and Response to Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Cardiopulmonary manifestations of adult-onset Still`s disease (AOSD) include pericarditis, pleural effusion, transient pulmonary infiltrates, pulmonary interstitial disease and myocarditis. Serositis are common but pneumonitis and myocarditis are not and bring elevated risk of mortality. They may manifest on disease onset or flares. Previously reported cases were treated with high-dose glucocorticoids and immunosupressants and, when refractory, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). We report an AOSD patient whose flare presented with severe pleupneumonitis and myopericarditis and, following nonresponse to a methylprednisolone pulse, high dose of prednisone and cyclosporine A, recovered after a 2-day 1g/kg/day IVIG infusion.

Low birth weight in response to salt restriction during pregnancy is not due to alterations in uterine-placental blood flow or the placental and peripheral renin-angiotensin system

A number of studies conducted in humans and in animals have observed that events occurring early in life are associated with the development of diseases in adulthood. Salt overload and restriction during pregnancy and lactation are responsible for functional (hemodynamic and hormonal) and structural alterations in adult offspring. Our group observed that lower birth weight and insulin resistance in adulthood is associated with salt restriction during pregnancy On the other hand, perinatal salt overload is associated with higher blood pressure and higher renal angiotensin II content in adult offspring. Therefore, we hypothesised that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) function is altered by changes in sodium intake during pregnancy. Such changes may influence fetoplacental blood flow and thereby fetal nutrient supply, with effects on growth in utero and, consequently, on birth weight. Female Wistar rats were fed low-salt (LS), normal-salt (NS), or high-salt (HS) diet, starting before conception and continuing until day 19 of pregnancy, Blood pressure, heart rate, fetuses and dams` body weight, placentae weight and litter size were measured on day 19 of pregnancy. Cardiac output, uterine and placental blood flow were also determined on day 19. Expressions of renin-angiotensin system components and of the TNF-alpha gene were evaluated in the placentae. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma and tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, as well as plasma and placental levels of angiotensins I, II, and 1-7 were measured. Body weight and kidney mass were greater in HS than in NS and LS dams. Food intake did not differ among the maternal groups. Placental weight was lower in LS dams than in NS and HS dams. Fetal weight was lower in the US group than in the NS and HS groups. The PRA was greater in IS dams than in NS and HS dams, although ACE activity (serum, cardiac, renal, and placental) was unaffected by the level of sodium intake. Placental levels of angiotensins I and II were lower in the HS group than in the ISIS and IS groups. Placental angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT(1)) gene expression and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were higher in HS dams, as were uterine blood flow and cardiac output. The degree of salt intake did not influence plasma sodium, potassium or creatinine. Although fractional sodium excretion was higher in HS dams than in NS and LS dams, fractional potassium excretion was unchanged. In conclusion, findings from this study indicate that the reduction in fetal weight in response to salt restriction during pregnancy does not involve alterations in uterine-placental perfusion or the RAS. Moreover, no change in fetal weight is observed in response to salt overload during pregnancy. However, salt overload did lead to an increase in placental weight and uterine blood flow associated with alterations in maternal plasma and placental RAS. Therefore, these findings indicate that changes in salt intake during pregnancy lead to alterations in uterine-placental perfusion and fetal growth. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of an animal model for allergic conjunctivitis: influence of genetic factors and allergen concentration on immune response

Purpose: Animal models of diseases are extremely important in the study of the physiopathogenesis of human diseases and for testing novel therapeutic interventions. The present study aimed to develop an animal model that simulates human allergic conjunctivitis and to study how allergic response may be influenced by the allergen dose used for immunization and by genetic factors. Methods: Sixty C57Bl/6 mice and 60 BALB/c mice were immunized with placebo, or 5 mu g or 500 mu g of allergen derived from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. After ocular challenge, the mice were examined in order to clinically verify the occurrence or not of conjunctivitis. Material obtained from animals was used for total and specific IgE and IgG1 dosage, for assays of Der p-specific lymphocyte proliferation and supernatant cytokine dosage, and for histopathological evaluation of conjunctiva. Results: We developed a murine model of allergic conjunctivitis induced by D. pteronyssinus. The model is similar to human disease both clinically and according to laboratory findings. In mouse, conjunctivitis was associated with a Th2 cytokine profile. However, IL-10 appeared to be involved with disease blockade. Mice of different strains have distinct immune responses, depending on the sensitization dose. Conclusions: The murine model developed is suitable for the study of immunopathogenesis and as a template for future therapies. Using BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, we demonstrated that genetic factors play a role in determining susceptibility and resistance, as well as in establishing the allergen concentration needed to induce or to block disease development.

Role for postoperative cortisol response to desmopressin in predicting the risk for recurrent Cushing`s disease

In the early postoperative period of Cushing`s disease patients, desmopressin may stimulate ACTH secretion in the remnant corticotrophic tumour, but not in nontumour suppressed cells. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum cortisol responses to desmopressin after pituitary surgery, establishing an optimal cut-off for absolute increment (Delta) of serum cortisol (F) suitable to predict recurrence risk. Design Retrospective case record study. Patients Fifty-seven Cushing`s disease patients submitted to pituitary surgery and desmopressin stimulation in the early postoperative with a long-term follow-up (20-161 months) were studied. Methods and measurements Serum cortisol levels after desmopressin test (10 mu g IV) 15-30 days after adenomectomy were used to determine Delta F (absolute increment of F: F peak - F baseline). Sensitivity and specificity of Delta F were calculated and a ROC curve was performed to establish an optimal cut-off for Delta F to predict recurrence risk. Results Fifteen patients had immediate postoperative failure (basal F > 165 nmol/l; 6 mu g/dl) and one patient was lost during the follow-up. Forty-one patients achieved initial remission and were followed-up. Five of 11 patients who recurred had Delta F > 193 nmol/l (7 mu g/dl), but none of 30 patients who remained in prolonged remission showed Delta F > 193 nmol/l after postoperative desmopressin stimulation. Conclusions Persistence of cortisol response (Delta F > 193 nmol/l) to desmopressin in the early postoperative period can help to identify Cushing`s disease patients with initial remission who present risk for later recurrence.

Peptides containing T cell epitopes, derived from Sm14, but not from paramyosin, induce a Th1 type of immune response, reduction in liver pathology and partial protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

Sm14 and paramyosin are two major Schistosoma mansoni vaccine candidate antigens. Recently, we have identified Sm14 and paramyosin epitopes that are recognized by T cells of resistant individuals living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis. Herein, mice were immunized with these peptides separately or in association in order to evaluate their vaccine potential. Immunization of mice with Sm14 peptides alone or mixed with paramyosin peptides was able to induce 26%-36.7% or 28%-29.2% of worm burden reduction, 67% or 46% of intestinal eggs reduction and also 54%-61% or 43%-52% of liver pathology reduction, respectively. Protection was associated with a Th1 type of immune response induced by Sm14 peptide immunization. In contrast, paramyosin peptide vaccination did not engender protective immunity or liver pathology reduction and immunization was associated with a Th2 type of immune response. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Late response to anti-TNF-alpha therapy in refractory mucocutaneous lesions of Beh double dagger et`s disease

Beh double dagger et`s disease (BD) is a multisystem chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by oral and genital ulceration and ocular involvement. Recurrent oral and genital ulcers are the most common symptoms of BD and occur in more than 80% of patients. The treatments of these disease manifestations include colchicine, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in severe cases. Anti-TNF-alpha therapy may be useful in refractory severe BD, particularly for ocular, central nervous system, gastrointestinal and refractory mucocutaneous lesions. During a 2-year period, 280 patients suffering from rheumatic diseases received anti-TNF-alpha agents at the infusion center of our University Hospital. Two patients (0.7%) presented BD; one of them had celiac disease as well, with recalcitrant mucocutaneous lesions that were not responsive to immunosuppressive drugs. We reported those patients who were successfully treated with infliximab and adalimumab, despite their late response.

LOSS OF CD40 ENDOGENOUS S-NITROSYLATION DURING INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN ENDOTOXEMIC MICE AND PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS

Signal transduction through the surface molecule CD40 is critical for cellular activation in immunoinflammatory states such as sepsis. The mechanisms regulating this pathway are not completely understood. Because CD40 displays potentially regulatory cysteine residues and CD40 is probably exposed to NO in the inflammatory milieu, we hypothesized that S-nitrosylation, the interaction of NO with cysteines residues, acts as a post-translational modification on CD40, coregulating the signaling activity and, therefore, the level of cellular activation. As assessed by the biotin switch and the reduction/chemiluminescence S-nitrosylation detection techniques, CD40 was found to be S-nitrosylated endogenously and upon exposure to NO donors in both human and murine macrophages. S-nitrosylation of CD40 was associated with milder activation by its ligand (CD40L), leading to reduced in vitro cytokine (IL-1 beta, IL-12, and TNF-alpha) production, which was reversed in the presence of inhibitors of NO synthesis. S-nitrosylated CD40 was found in resting RAW 246.7 macrophages and BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages, turning into the denitrosylated state upon in vitro or systemic exposure, respectively, to LPS. Moreover, monocytes from patients with sepsis displayed denitrosylated CD40 in contrast to the CD40 S-nitrosylation measured in healthy individuals. Finally, in an attempt to explain how S-nitrosylation regulates CD40 activation, we demonstrate that NO affects the redistribution of CD40 on the cell surface, which is a requirement for optimal signal transduction. Our results support a novel post-translational regulatory mechanism in which the CD40 signal may be, at least in part, dependent on cellular activation-induced receptor denitrosylation.

E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus type 16 expressed constitutively in the epidermis has no effect on E7-specific B- or Th-repertoires or on the immune response induced or sustained after immunization with E7 protein

A line of FVB (H-2(q)) mice transgenic for the E6/E7 open reading frames of Human Papillomavirus type 16 driven from the alpha-A crystallin promoter expresses E7 mRNA in lens and skin epithelium. E7 protein is detectable in adult skin, coinciding with the development or inflammatory skin disease, which progresses to papillomata and squamous carcinomata in some mice. By examining the outcome of parenteral immunization with E7 protein, we sought to determine whether endogenous expression of E7 in skin had induced a preexisting immune outcome, i.e., specific immunity or tolerance, or whether the mice remain naive (''ignorant'') to E7. Our data show that the antibody response to defined E7 B-epitopes, the proliferative response to Th epitopes, and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to whole E7 did not differ between groups or young and old E6/E7 transgenic mice (likely having different degrees of lifetime exposure to E7 protein) or between E6/E7-transgenic and nontransgenic parental strain control mice. Although an E7-specific CTL response could not be induced in the H-2(q) background of these mice, incorporation of a D-b allele into the genome allowed comparison of D-b-restricted CTL responses in E6/E7 transgenic and nontransgenic mice. Experiments indicated that the E7-immunization-induced CTL response did not differ significantly between E6/E7 transgenic and nontransgenic mice. We interpret these results to indicate that in spite of expression of E7 protein in adult skin, E6/E7 transgenic mice remain immunologically naive (ignorant) of E7 epitopes presented by immunization. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

Magnesium in tropical and subtropical soils from north-eastern Australia .2. Response by glasshouse-grown maize to applied magnesium

A glasshouse trial, in which maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3270) was grown in 35 north-eastern Australian soils of low magnesium (Mg) status, was undertaken to study the response to applied Mg. Of the soils studied, 20 were strongly acidic (pH(1:5 soil:water) <5.4), and in these soils the response to Mg was studied in both the presence and absence of lime. Magnesium application significantly (P < 0.05) increased dry matter yield in 10 soils, all of which were strongly acidic. However, significant Mg responses were recorded in 6 soils in the presence of lime, indicating that, in many situations, liming strategies may need to include consideration of Mg nutrition. Critical soil test values for 90% relative yield were 0.21 cmol(+)/kg of exchangeable Mg or 7% Mg saturation, whilst the critical (90% yield) plant tissue Mg concentration (whole shoots) was 0.15%.

Hemodynamic response in one session of strength exercise with and without electrostimulation in heart failure patients: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Studies have investigated the influence of neuromuscular electrostimulation on the exercise/muscle capacity of patients with heart failure (HF), but the hemodynamic overload has never been investigated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures in one session of strength exercises with and without neuromuscular electrostimulation (quadriceps) in HF patients and in healthy subjects. Methods: Ten (50% male) HF patients and healthy subjects performed three sets of eight repetitions with and without neuromuscular electrostimulation randomly, with one week between sessions. Throughout, electromyography was performed to guarantee the electrostimulation was effective. The hemodynamic variables were measured at rest, again immediately after the end of each set of exercises, and during the recovery period. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not change during each set of exercises among either the HF patients or the controls. Without electrostimulation: among the controls, the HR corresponding to the first (85 +/- 13 bpm, p = 0.002), second (84 +/- 10 bpm, p < 0.001), third (89 +/- 17, p < 0.001) sets and recuperation (83 +/- 16 bpm, p = 0.012) were different compared to the resting HR (77 bpm). Moreover, the recuperation was different to the third set (0.018). Among HF patients, the HR corresponding to the first (84 +/- 9 bpm, p = 0.041) and third (84 +/- 10 bpm, p = 0.036) sets were different compared to the resting HR (80 +/- 7 bpm), but this increase of 4 bpm is clinically irrelevant to HF. With electrostimulation: among the controls, the HR corresponding to the third set (84 +/- 9 bpm) was different compared to the resting HR (80 +/- 7 bmp, p = 0.016). Among HF patients, there were no statistical differences between the sets. The procedure was well tolerated and no subjects reported muscle pain after 24 hours. Conclusions: One session of strength exercises with and without neuromuscular electrostimulation does not promote a hemodynamic overload in HF patients. (Cardiol J 2011; 18,1: 39-46)