The Stability of the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent Functional MRI Response to Motor Tasks Is Altered in Patients With Chronic Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose-Functional MRI is a powerful tool to investigate recovery of brain function in patients with stroke. An inherent assumption in functional MRI data analysis is that the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal is stable over the course of the examination. In this study, we evaluated the validity of such assumption in patients with chronic stroke. Methods-Fifteen patients performed a simple motor task with repeated epochs using the paretic and the unaffected hand in separate runs. The corresponding BOLD signal time courses were extracted from the primary and supplementary motor areas of both hemispheres. Statistical maps were obtained by the conventional General Linear Model and by a parametric General Linear Model. Results-Stable BOLD amplitude was observed when the task was executed with the unaffected hand. Conversely, the BOLD signal amplitude in both primary and supplementary motor areas was progressively attenuated in every patient when the task was executed with the paretic hand. The conventional General Linear Model analysis failed to detect brain activation during movement of the paretic hand. However, the proposed parametric General Linear Model corrected the misdetection problem and showed robust activation in both primary and supplementary motor areas. Conclusions-The use of data analysis tools that are built on the premise of a stable BOLD signal may lead to misdetection of functional regions and underestimation of brain activity in patients with stroke. The present data urge the use of caution when relying on the BOLD response as a marker of brain reorganization in patients with stroke. (Stroke. 2010; 41:1921-1926.)

Blood gases and cardiovascular shunt in the South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) during normoxia and hyperoxia

The South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) has an arterial P(O2), (Pa(O2)) as high as 70-100 mm Hg, corresponding to Hb-O(2) saturations from 90% to 95%, which indicates a moderate cardiovascular right to left (R-L) shunt. In hyperoxia (50% O(2)), we studied animals in: (1) aerated water combined with aerial hyperoxia, which increased Pa(O2) from 78 +/- 2 to 114 +/- 3 mm Hg and (2) and aquatic hyperoxia (50% O(2)) combined room air, which gradually increased Pa(O2) from 75 +/- 4 mm Hg to as much as 146 +/- 10 mm Hg. Further, the hyperoxia (50%) depressed pulmonary ventilation from 58 +/- 13 to 5.5 +/- 3.0 mLBTPS kg h(-1), and Pa(CO2) increased from 20 +/- 2 to 31 +/- 4 mm Hg, while pHa became reduced from 7.56 +/- 0.03 to 7.31 +/- 0.09. At the same time, venous P(O2) (Pv(O2)) rose from 40.0 +/- 2.3 to 46.4 +/- 1.2 mm Hg and, concomitantly, Pvco, increased from 23.2 +/- 1.1 to 32.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg. R-L shunts were estimated to about 19%, which is moderate when compared to most amphibians. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influence of age on blood pressure evaluation of hypertensive subjects

The aim of this study was to determine whether age influences the concordance between different methods of blood pressure (BP) measurement and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) in hypertensive subjects. We studied two groups: I, individuals younger than 50 years (n = 57), and II, individuals aged 60 years or older (n = 55). They were submitted to the performance of one ABPM, office BP measurements, home BP monitoring (HBPM), and BP measurements at a public health center (PHCBP). Student`s t-test, Fisher`s test and Lin coefficient were calculated. For Group II, systolic and diastolic pressures measured by HBPM were higher than by day ABPM (p < 0.01). The concordance between day ABPM and the other methods was lower for Group II than for Group I. There was a good concordance between systolic day ABPM and office BP, and between systolic ABPM and PHCBP only for Group I (Lin coefficient = 0.71 and 0.73). Group II reported better sleep quality after ABPM (p < 0.05). Considering 24-h ABPM, 52.6% of Group I and 29% of Group II were controlled (p < 0.01). Concluding, there was worse concordance between different methods of BP measurements and day ABPM in the older group, which had lower hypertension control rate and better tolerance of ABPM. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of platelet count by automatic blood counter QBC Vet Autoread (R) compared with blood smear estimative and count by hemocytometer

The platelet blood count in laboratorial routine provides to the clinician important information about the hemostasis of the patient. There are many techniques described, however the gold standard techniques realized in hemocytometer spent a lot of time, making this technique impracticable in great routines. This research had the intent to evaluate if the automatic veterinary blood counter QBC Vet Autoread (R), whose results get five minutes to be ready, is capable to offer a trustworthy platelet count number. To this end, were evaluated the correlations among three different forms of platelets count in dogs: count in automatic blood counter QBC Vet Autoread (R), estimative in blood smear and the gold standard method by manual count in hemocytometer. The viability and confidence use of automatic blood counters of the medicine veterinary routine. Seventeen dogs were chosen randomly way, in the medical and surgical routine of HOVET-USP. The analysis revel high correlation between the hemocytometer and the estimative in blood smear (r=0,875) and between the hemocytometer and automatic blood count by QBC Vet Autoread (R) (r=0,939). Conclude that the platelet blood cont by QBC Vet Autoread (R), in addition to be fast, it`s more truthful when compared with estimative in blood smear, although the latter one also had elevated correlation. However, morphological analysis through the smears cannot be dismissed because none of the other two techniques evaluated have the ability to assess platelet morphological changes.

Comparison of the effects of tramadol, codeine, and ketoprofen alone or in combination on postoperative pain and on concentrations of blood glucose, serum cortisol, and serum interleukin-6 in dogs undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy

Objective-To compare analgesic effects of tramadol, codeine, and ketoprofen administered alone and in combination and their effects on concentrations of blood glucose, serum cortisol, and serum interleukin (IL)-6 in dogs undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy. Animals-42 dogs with oral neoplasms. Procedures-30 minutes before the end of surgery, dogs received SC injections of tramadol (2 mg/kg), codeine (2 mg/kg), ketoprofen (2 mg/kg), tramadol + ketoprofen, or codeine + ketoprofen (at the aforementioned dosages). Physiologic variables, analgesia, and sedation were measured before (baseline) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 24 hours after surgery. Blood glucose, serum cortisol, and serum IL-6 concentrations were measured 1, 3, 5, and 24 hours after administration of analgesics. Results-All treatments provided adequate postoperative analgesia. Significant increases in mean +/- SD blood glucose concentrations were detected in dogs receiving tramadol (96 +/- 14 mg/dL), codeine (120 +/- 66 mg/dL and 96 +/- 21 mg/dL), ketoprofen (105 +/- 22 mg/dL), and codeine + ketoprofen (104 +/- 16 mg/dL) at 5, 1 and 3, 5, and 3 hours after analgesic administration, respectively, compared with preoperative (baseline) values. There were no significant changes in physiologic variables, serum IL-6 concentrations, or serum cortisol concentrations. Dogs administered codeine + ketoprofen had light but significant sedation at 4, 5, and 24 hours. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Opioids alone or in combination with an NSAID promoted analgesia without adverse effects during the 24-hour postoperative period in dogs undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy for removal of oral neoplasms. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1019-1026)

STANDARDIZATION OF SOME ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF CAPTIVE LEOPARD CATS (LEOPARDUS TIGRINUS)

Thirty-three captive leopard cats, Leopardus tigrinus, were anesthetized with xylazine (1-2 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg), and electrocardiograph (ECG) tests were recorded in all leads with 1 cm = 1 mV sensibility and 25 mm/sec speed repeating DII lead at 50 mm/sec speed with the same sensibility. Results expressed by mean and standard deviation were: heart rate (HR) = 107 +/- 17 (bpm); P-wave = 0.048 +/- 0.072 (s) x 0.128 +/- 0.048 (mV); PR interval = 0.101 +/- 0.081 (s); QRS compound = 0.053 +/- 0.012 (s) x 1.446 +/- 0.602 (mV); QT interval = 0.231 +/- 0.028 (s); R-wave (CV(6)LL) = 1.574 +/- 0.527 (mV); R-wave (CV(6)LU) = 1.583 +/- 0.818 (mV); heart rhythm: normal sinus rhythm (15.2%), sinus rhythm with wandering pacemaker (WPM) (60.6%), sinus arrhythmia with WPM (24.2%); electric axis: between +30 degrees and +60 degrees (6.1%), +60 (6.1%), between +60 degrees and +90 degrees (57.6%), +90 degrees (9%), between +90 degrees and +120 degrees (21.2%); ST segment: normal (75.7%), elevation (18.2%), depression (6.1%); T-wave polarity (DII): positive (100%); T-wave (V(10)): absent (6.1%), negative (63.6%), positive (18.2%), and with interference (12.1%). Through ECG data comparison with other species, unique features of Leopardus tigrinus` (leopard cat) ECG parameters were detected. Some of the study animals presented with an R-Wave amplitude that was indicative of left ventricle overload according to patterns for normal domestic cats (Felis cati). Echocardiographic exams revealed normal heart cavities` function and morphology. The aim of this study was to establish some electrocardiographic parameters of captive L. tigrinus.

Experimental infection of the rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, with the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, and comparative biology of infected and uninfected tick lineages

The present study consisted of two experiments that evaluated experimental infections of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris ticks by a Brazilian strain of Rickettsia rickettsii, and their effect on tick biology. In experiment I, ticks were exposed to R. rickettsii during the larval, nymphal or adult stages by feeding on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) needle-inoculated with R. rickettsii, and thereafter reared on uninfected rabbits for the entire next tick generation. Regardless of the tick stage that acquired the infection, all subsequent tick stages were shown to be infected by PCR (infection rates varying from 1.3 to 41.7%), and were able to transmit R. rickettsii to uninfected rabbits, as demonstrated by rabbit seroconversion, guinea pig inoculation with rabbit blood, and PCR on rabbit blood. In Experiment II, ticks were exposed to R. rickettsii during the larval stage by feeding on rabbits co-infested with R. rickettsii-infected adult ticks, and thereafter reared on uninfected rabbits until the next generation of larvae. Again, all subsequent tick stages were shown to be infected by PCR (infection rates varying from 3.0 to 40.0%), and were able to transmit R. rickettsii to uninfected rabbits. Thus, it was demonstrated that larvae, nymphs, and adults of H. leporispalustris were able to acquire and maintain the R. rickettsii infection by transstadial and transovarial transmissions within the tick population, with active transmission of the bacterium to susceptible rabbits by all parasitic stages. Analyses of biological parameters of uninfected and R. rickettsii-infected tick lineages were performed in order to evaluate possible deleterious effects of R. rickettsii to the infected tick lineages. Surprisingly, all but one of the four R. rickettsii-experimental groups of the present study showed overall better biological performance than their sibling uninfected control ticks. Results of the present study showed that H. leporispalustris could support infection by a high virulent strain of R. rickettsii for at least two generations, in which infected tick lineages tended to have better performance than uninfected ticks. Our results support a possible role of H. leporispalustris in the enzootic maintenance of R. rickettsii in Latin America, as previously suggested by earlier works.

Prevalence of Rickettsia species antibodies and Rickettsia species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever

Rickettsia species antibodies have been detected in some cats but it is unknown whether infected cats develop clinical signs. The prevalence of Rickettsia species deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in blood from clinically ill cats has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if cats with fever (body temperature >= 102.5 degrees F [39.2 degrees C]) were more likely to have evidence of rickettsial infection than healthy, age-matched, control cats with a body temperature < 102.5 degrees F. Rickettsia species polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed to detect rickettsial DNA extracted from blood (71 paired samples), indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) were performed to detect serum antibodies against Rickettsia felis (90 paired samples) and Rickettsia rickettsii (91 paired samples), and the results between pairs were compared. All samples were negative for Rickettsia species DNA. More cats with fever were seropositive for R felis or R rickettsii than control cats, but results were not statistically significant. Results of this pilot study failed to show an association between Rickettsia species DNA or Rickettsia species antibodies and fever. (c) 2008 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrocardiographic parameters of captive lions (Panthera leo) and tigers (Panthera tigris) immobilized with ketamine plus xylazine

Twenty-seven healthy captive lions (Panthera leo) and 13 healthy captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from S to Paulo Zoo (Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Rio Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil) collection were selected for this study. They were anesthetized with ketamine (10 mg/kg) combined with xylazine (1-2 mg/kg) for physical examinations. hematologic and serum chemical analysis and electrocardiogram recording. The main aim of this research was to gather initial information about normal electrocardiographic parameters of large felids. Standard P-QRS-T deflections on leads described for domestic carnivores were analyzed, and they did not greatly differ from those of large felids. taking into account the greater weight and corporal mass of large felids. Heart rate of lions ranged frorn 42 to 76 beats per minute (bpm). Heart rate of tigers ranged from 56 to 97 bpm. In both species, the most common rhythm detected was normal sinus rhythm followed by sinus arrhythmia: wandering, pacemaker was also observed with normal sinus rhythm or sinus arrhythmia. Mean electrical axis lay between +60 degrees and +120 degrees. QRS complexes were predominantly positive in leads DI, DII, DIII, and AVF and negative in AVR and AVL. This Study provides insights into normal electrocardiograms of large felids. Wider investigations on the same subject arc necessary to establish criteria for the recognition of abnormalities in these species and should include other anesthetic drug(s) combinations and reports of electrocardiographic features of animals with cardiac disease and electrolytes disturbances.

Wide Dispersal and Possible Multiple Origins of Low-Copy-Number Plasmids in Rickettsia Species Associated with Blood-Feeding Arthropods

Plasmids are mobile genetic elements of bacteria that can impart important adaptive traits, such as increased virulence or antibiotic resistance. We report the existence of plasmids in Rickettsia (Rickettsiales; Rickettsiaceae) species, including Rickettsia akari, ""Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii,"" R. bellii, R. rhipicephali, and REIS, the rickettsial endosymbiont of Ixodes scapularis. All of the rickettsiae were isolated from humans or North and South American ticks. R. parkeri isolates from both continents did not possess plasmids. We have now demonstrated plasmids in nearly all Rickettsia species that we have surveyed from three continents, which represent three of the four major proposed phylogenetic groups associated with blood-feeding arthropods. Gel-based evidence consistent with the existence of multiple plasmids in some species was confirmed by cloning plasmids with very different sequences from each of two ""Ca. Rickettsia amblyommii"" isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of rickettsial ParA plasmid partitioning proteins indicated multiple parA gene origins and plasmid incompatibility groups, consistent with possible multiple plasmid origins. Phylogenetic analysis of potentially host-adaptive rickettsial small heat shock proteins showed that hsp2 genes were plasmid specific and that hsp1 genes, found only on plasmids of ""Ca. Rickettsia amblyommii,"" R. felis, R. monacensis, and R. peacockii, were probably acquired independently of the hsp2 genes. Plasmid copy numbers in seven Rickettsia species ranged from 2.4 to 9.2 per chromosomal equivalent, as determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Plasmids may be of significance in rickettsial evolution and epidemiology by conferring genetic plasticity and host-adaptive traits via horizontal gene transfer that counteracts the reductive genome evolution typical of obligate intracellular bacteria.

Parasitic dynamics of gastrointestinal nematode infection in the periparturient period of beef cattle in the State of Para

The experiment was conducted to investigate the dynamics of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes during the periparturition period in cows. One hundred and six beef cows were divided into two groups: G I was formed by 42 cows of one and two parturitions, and G2 by 76 cows of three or more parturitions. From the 120 days pre partum until the 90 days post partum, feces were collected for faecal egg counts (EPG) while blood was collected to determine the packed cell volume and hemoglobin levels of each animal, with monthly intervals. In the same intervals the body condition scores (BCS) were evaluated. The mean values standard deviation of the EPG for Cl were equal to 19.4 +/- 42.9, and for G2 31.1 +/- 68.0. No significant differences were observed between Cl and G2 in relation to EPC; and hematological parameters, which remained within normal patterns for both groups. The two groups had higher counts of EPG in the post partum period than in the pre partum period, with averages of 32.5 +/- 55.5 and 51.5 +/- 84.8 for groups Cl and G2, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in the parameters was observed when comparing the pre and post partum within each group studied resulting in declining values of blood and body score and an increase in EPG in the post partum. The results suggest that the cows may be more susceptible to infection by nematodes from giving birth up to 90 days post partum. However, adult cows, when well-managed, are not an important factor in the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes, even in the post partum period.

Long-Term Maternal Separation Differentially Alters Serum Corticosterone Levels and Blood Neutrophil Activity in A/J and C57BL/6 Mouse Offspring

Objectives: In this work, we searched for maternal separation effects on serum corticosterone levels and blood neutrophil activity in adult male A/J and C57BL/6 mouse offspring. Methods: 40 male A/J mice and 40 male C57BL/6 mice were divided within each strain into two groups. Mice in the maternal separation group were separated from their mothers (1 h/day) on postnatal days 0-13. Mice in the control group were left undisturbed. On postnatal day 45, blood was drawn from all mice and used to assess neutrophil activity by flow cytometry and serum corticosterone levels by radioimmunoassay. Results: The results showed that each mouse strain responded differently to maternal separation, but in both cases, serum corticosterone levels were affected. In both strains, adult mice that experienced maternal separation showed lower serum corticosterone levels than control mice. In relation to control mice kept together with their mothers, the levels of serum corticosterone were 72.7 and 36.36% lower in A/J and C57BL/6 mice submitted to maternal separation, respectively. The current findings showed that maternal separation increased neutrophil activity in mice after reaching adulthood. The observed effects, although in the same direction, differed between A/J and C57BL/6 mice. Maternal separation increased both the percentage and intensity of phagocytosis in C57BL/6 mice, but had no effects on A/J mice. Furthermore, maternal separation increased basal and propidium iodide-labeled Staphylococcus aureus-induced oxidative burst in A/J mice but did not affect oxidative burst in C57BL/6 mice. Finally, phorbol myristate acetate-induced oxidative burst increased in both strains. Conclusion: These results indicate that early maternal separation increases innate immunity, most likely by modifying hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. This suggests that maternal separation is a good model for stress which produces long-term neuroimmune changes whatever the animal species and strain used. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

Heat stress impairs performance parameters, induces intestinal injury, and decreases macrophage activity in broiler chickens

Studies on environmental consequences of stress on animal production have grown substantially in the last few years for economic and animal welfare reasons. Physiological, hormonal, and immunological deficits as well as increases in animals` susceptibility to diseases have been reported after different stressors in broiler chickens. The aim of the current experiment is to describe the effects of 2 different heat stressors (31 +/- 1 and 36 +/- 1 degrees C/10 h per d) applied to broiler chickens from d 35 to 42 of life on the corticosterone serum levels, performance parameters, intestinal histology, and peritoneal macrophage activity, correlating and discussing the obtained data under a neuroimmune perspective. In our study, we demonstrated that heat stress (31 +/- 1 and 36 +/- 1 degrees C) increased the corticosterone serum levels and decreased BW gain and food intake. Only chickens submitted to 36 +/- 1 degrees C, however, presented a decrease in feed conversion and increased mortality. We also showed a decrease of bursa of Fabricius (31 +/- 1 and 36 +/- 1 degrees C), thymus (36 +/- 1 degrees C), and spleen (36 +/- 1 degrees C) relative weights and of macrophage basal (31 +/- 1 and 36 +/- 1 degrees C) and Staphylococcus aureus-induced oxidative burst (31 +/- 1 degrees C). Finally, mild multifocal acute enteritis characterized by an increased presence of lymphocytes and plasmocytes within the jejunum`s lamina propria was also observed. The stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation was taken as responsible for the negative effects observed on the chickens` performance and immune function and also the changes of the intestinal mucosa. The present obtained data corroborate with others in the field of neuroimmunomodulation and open new avenues for the improvement of broiler chicken welfare and production performance.