Simulador de rendimiento Stress Tester

Desarrollo de una aplicación para la empresa CCSAgresso, con el objetivo de evaluar el rendimiento en una máquina, mediante los datos aportados por pruebas de simulación. Cada prueba de simulación está contenida en un fichero de texto, cuya lectura y almacenamiento en la base de datos son la base de la aplicación. Los objetivos son poder introducir, actualizar, gestionar y mostrar esos valores de la base de datos con una aplicación sencilla, intuitiva y que realice todas las operaciones que necesita el usuario.

The Office International des Epizooties ad hoc Group on Non Tsetse Animal Trypanosomoses: Its Origin, Scope and Perspectives

A summary of the goals and activities of the ad hoc group on Non Tsetse Transmitted Animal Trypanosomosis belonging to the Office International des Epizooties is presented.

Review on the Molecular Tools for the Understanding of the Epidemiology of Animal Trypanosomosis in West Africa

The epidemiology of animal trypanosomosis around Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso, West Africa) benefited a lot in the last years from the progress of molecular tools. The two most used molecular techniques were the polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of the disease in cattle and the characterization of the trypanosomes in the host and the vector on one hand, and the microsatellite DNA polymorphism in tsetse flies to study the intraspecific genetic variability of the vector on the other hand. The results obtained in the Sideradougou area during a recent two year survey with these techniques, associated with many other georeferenced informations concerning vector and cattle distribution, natural environment, landuse, ground occupation, livestock management, were combined in a Geographical Information System. This new approach of a complex pathogenic system led to a better evaluation of the risk of trypanosome transmission.

Density of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Domestic and Wild Animal Shelters in an Area of Visceral Leishmaniasis in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to determine the association of sand flies with the presence of domestic and wild animals in the peridomiciliary area. The sand flies were collected using direct aspiration and CDC light traps placed in animal shelters. The results suggest that different sand flies species have different behavioral characteristics in an apparent preference for animal baits and that Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. evandroi were the most eclectic species regarding their biotope choice. Lu. longipalpis showed a distinct preference for horses and Lu. evandroi for armadillos.

The AP-1 transcription factor c-Jun prevents stress-imposed maladaptive remodeling of the heart.

Systemic hypertension increases cardiac workload and subsequently induces signaling networks in heart that underlie myocyte growth (hypertrophic response) through expansion of sarcomeres with the aim to increase contractility. However, conditions of increased workload can induce both adaptive and maladaptive growth of heart muscle. Previous studies implicate two members of the AP-1 transcription factor family, junD and fra-1, in regulation of heart growth during hypertrophic response. In this study, we investigate the function of the AP-1 transcription factors, c-jun and c-fos, in heart growth. Using pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice and targeted deletion of Jun or Fos in cardiomyocytes, we show that c-jun is required for adaptive cardiac hypertrophy, while c-fos is dispensable in this context. c-jun promotes expression of sarcomere proteins and suppresses expression of extracellular matrix proteins. Capacity of cardiac muscle to contract depends on organization of principal thick and thin filaments, myosin and actin, within the sarcomere. In line with decreased expression of sarcomere-associated proteins, Jun-deficient cardiomyocytes present disarrangement of filaments in sarcomeres and actin cytoskeleton disorganization. Moreover, Jun-deficient hearts subjected to pressure overload display pronounced fibrosis and increased myocyte apoptosis finally resulting in dilated cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, c-jun but not c-fos is required to induce a transcriptional program aimed at adapting heart growth upon increased workload.

Mesophyll conductance to CO2 and leaf morphological characteristics under drought stress during Quercus ilex L resprouting

• Quercus ilex L., the dominant species in Mediterranean forests and one with a great capacity for resprouting after disturbances, is threatened by the expected increase in fire frequency and drought associated with climate change. • The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of photosynthesis limitants, especially mesophyll conductance (gmes ) during this species’ resprouting and under summer drought. • Resprouts showed 5.3-fold increased gmes and 3.8-fold increased stomatal conductance (gs) atmidday with respect to leaves of undisturbed individuals. With increased drought, structural changes (decreased density and increased thickness) in resprouts contributed to the observed higher photosynthesis and increased gmes. However, gmes only partially depended on leaf structure, and was also under physiological control. Resprouts also showed lower non-stomatal limitations (around 50% higher carboxylation velocity (Vc,max) and capacity for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (Jmax)). A significant contribution of gmes to leaf carbon isotope discrimination values was observed. • gmes exhibits a dominant role in photosynthesis limitation in Q. ilex and is regulated by factors other than morphology. During resprouting after disturbances, greater capacity to withstand drought, as evidenced by higher gmes , gs and lower non-stomatal limitants, enables increased photosynthesis and rapid growth.

Gene expression mapping in neuropathic pain : molecular plasticity in nociceptors and superficial dorsal horn

RESUME : La douleur neuropathique est le résultat d'une lésion ou d'un dysfonctionnement du système nerveux. Les symptômes qui suivent la douleur neuropathique sont sévères et leur traitement inefficace. Une meilleure approche thérapeutique peut être proposée en se basant sur les mécanismes pathologiques de la douleur neuropathique. Lors d'une lésion périphérique une douleur neuropathique peut se développer et affecter le territoire des nerfs lésés mais aussi les territoires adjacents des nerfs non-lésés. Une hyperexcitabilité des neurones apparaît au niveau des ganglions spinaux (DRG) et de la corne dorsale (DH) de la moelle épinière. Le but de ce travail consiste à mettre en évidence les modifications moléculaires associées aux nocicepteurs lésés et non-lésés au niveau des DRG et des laminae I et II de la corne dorsale, là où l'information nociceptive est intégrée. Pour étudier les changements moléculaires liés à la douleur neuropathique nous utilisons le modèle animal d'épargne du nerf sural (spared nerve injury model, SNI) une semaine après la lésion. Pour la sélection du tissu d'intérêt nous avons employé la technique de la microdissection au laser, afin de sélectionner une sous-population spécifique de cellules (notamment les nocicepteurs lésés ou non-lésés) mais également de prélever le tissu correspondant dans les laminae superficielles. Ce travail est couplé à l'analyse à large spectre du transcriptome par puce ADN (microarray). Par ailleurs, nous avons étudié les courants électriques et les propriétés biophysiques des canaux sodiques (Na,,ls) dans les neurones lésés et non-lésés des DRG. Aussi bien dans le système nerveux périphérique, entre les neurones lésés et non-lésés, qu'au niveau central avec les aires recevant les projections des nocicepteurs lésés ou non-lésés, l'analyse du transcriptome montre des différences de profil d'expression. En effet, nous avons constaté des changements transcriptionnels importants dans les nocicepteurs lésés (1561 gènes, > 1.5x et pairwise comparaison > 77%) ainsi que dans les laminae correspondantes (618 gènes), alors que ces modifications transcriptionelles sont mineures au niveau des nocicepteurs non-lésés (60 gènes), mais important dans leurs laminae de projection (459 gènes). Au niveau des nocicepteurs, en utilisant la classification par groupes fonctionnels (Gene Ontology), nous avons observé que plusieurs processus biologiques sont modifiés. Ainsi des fonctions telles que la traduction des signaux cellulaires, l'organisation du cytosquelette ainsi que les mécanismes de réponse au stress sont affectés. Par contre dans les neurones non-lésés seuls les processus biologiques liés au métabolisme et au développement sont modifiés. Au niveau de la corne dorsale de la moelle, nous avons observé des modifications importantes des processus immuno-inflammatoires dans l'aire affectée par les nerfs lésés et des changements associés à l'organisation et la transmission synaptique au niveau de l'aire des nerfs non-lésés. L'analyse approfondie des canaux sodiques a démontré plusieurs changements d'expression, principalement dans les neurones lésés. Les analyses fonctionnelles n'indiquent aucune différence entre les densités de courant tétrodotoxine-sensible (TTX-S) dans les neurones lésés et non-lésés même si les niveaux d'expression des ARNm des sous-unités TTX-S sont modifiés dans les neurones lésés. L'inactivation basale dépendante du voltage des canaux tétrodotoxine-insensible (TTX-R) est déplacée vers des potentiels positifs dans les cellules lésées et non-lésées. En revanche la vitesse de récupération des courants TTX-S et TTX-R après inactivation est accélérée dans les neurones lésés. Ces changements pourraient être à l'origine de l'altération de l'activité électrique des neurones sensoriels dans le contexte des douleurs neuropathiques. En résumé, ces résultats suggèrent l'existence de mécanismes différenciés affectant les neurones lésés et les neurones adjacents non-lésés lors de la mise en place la douleur neuropathique. De plus, les changements centraux au niveau de la moelle épinière qui surviennent après lésion sont probablement intégrés différemment selon la perception de signaux des neurones périphériques lésés ou non-lésés. En conclusion, ces modulations complexes et distinctes sont probablement des acteurs essentiels impliqués dans la genèse et la persistance des douleurs neuropathiques. ABSTRACT : Neuropathic pain (NP) results from damage or dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system. Symptoms associated with NP are severe and difficult to treat. Targeting NP mechanisms and their translation into symptoms may offer a better therapeutic approach.Hyperexcitability of the peripheral and central nervous system occurs in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the dorsal horn (DH) of the spinal cord. We aimed to identify transcriptional variations in injured and in adjacent non-injured nociceptors as well as in corresponding laminae I and II of DH receiving their inputs.We investigated changes one week after the injury induced by the spared nerve injury model of NP. We employed the laser capture microdissection (LCM) for the procurement of specific cell-types (enrichment in nociceptors of injured/non-injured neurons) and laminae in combination with transcriptional analysis by microarray. In addition, we studied functionál properties and currents of sodium channels (Nav1s) in injured and neighboring non-injured DRG neurons.Microarray analysis at the periphery between injured and non-injured DRG neurons and centrally between the area of central projections from injured and non-injured neurons show significant and differential expression patterns. We reported changes in injured nociceptors (1561 genes, > 1.5 fold, >77% pairwise comparison) and in corresponding DH laminae (618 genes), while less modifications occurred in non-injured nociceptors (60 genes) and in corresponding DH laminae (459 genes). At the periphery, we observed by Gene Ontology the involvement of multiple biological processes in injured neurons such as signal transduction, cytoskeleton organization or stress responses. On contrast, functional overrepresentations in non-injured neurons were noted only in metabolic or developmentally related mechanisms. At the level of superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, we reported changes of immune and inflammatory processes in injured-related DH and changes associated with synaptic organization and transmission in DH corresponding to non-injured neurons. Further transcriptional analysis of Nav1s indicated several changes in injured neurons. Functional analyses of Nav1s have established no difference in tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) current densities in both injured and non-injured neurons, despite changes in TTX-S Nav1s subunit mRNA levels. The tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) voltage dependence of steady state inactivation was shifted to more positive potentials in both injured and non-injured neurons, and the rate of recovery from inactivation of TTX-S and TTX-R currents was accelerated in injured neurons. These changes may lead to alterations in neuronal electrogenesis. Taken together, these findings suggest different mechanisms occurring in the injured neurons and the adjacent non-injured ones. Moreover, central changes after injury are probably driven in a different manner if they receive inputs from injured or non-injured neurons. Together, these distinct and complex modulations may contribute to NP.

Abus sexuel, psychopathologie et réponses psycho-endocriniennes au stress

Résumé : Des événements traumatiques précoces peuvent favoriser le développement ultérieur de psychopathologies telles que les troubles anxieux ou dépressifs. Dans quelle mesure ces événements influencent-ils la réaction d'un sujet à un stress aigu ? Objectif : comparer la prévalence de troubles psychiatriques et déterminer la différence de réaction au stress à l'âge adulte de femmes ayant ou non subi un traumatisme de type abus sexuel dans leur enfance. Participants : 46 femmes âgées de 22 à 48 ans recrutées entre juin 2004 et juillet 2006 réparties en 2 groupes (groupe contrôle de 16 sujets, groupe traumatisé de 30 sujets). L'étude se déroule dans l'Unité de recherche du SUPEA, rue du Bugnon 25A, 1005 Lausanne. Mesures : hormone adrenocorticotropiqué (ACTI-I), cortisol plasmatique et salivaire, fréquence cardiaque au cours du TSST (test psychosocial de stress standardisé), réponses aux questionnaires standardisés VAS (visual analog scale) et MDBF (Mehrdimensionale Befindlichkeitsfragebogen), MINI (mini international neuropsychiatric interview), ETI (early trauma inventory). Les différences de cóncentration d'ACTH et de cortisol, du rythme cardiaque, et des réponses aux questionnaires VAS et MDBF entre des groupes contrôle et abus ont été analysés (ANOVA, ANalysis Of VAriance). Lorsque les résultats montraient une grande hétérogénéité, nous .avons également appliqué les tests de Mann-Whitney et de Kruskal-Wallis: Résultats principaux : les personnes abusées dans leur enfance souffrent à l'âge adulte plus fréquemment de troubles psychiatriques selon les critères du MINI DSM-IV. Ces personnes réagissent fortement au stress, mais seules leurs réponses subjectives montrent des différences significatives par rapport à un groupe de contrôle.

Cardiac dysfunction and impaired compensatory response to pressure overload in mice deficient in stem cell antigen-1.

Stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) has been used to identify cardiac stem cells in the mouse heart. To investigate the function of Sca-1 in aging and during the cardiac adaptation to stress, we used Sca-1-deficient mice. These mice developed dilated cardiomyopathy [end-diastolic left ventricular diameter at 18 wk of age: wild-type (WT) mice, 4.2 mm ± 0.3; Sca-1-knockout (Sca-1-KO) mice, 4.6 mm ± 0.1; ejection fraction: WT mice, 51.1 ± 2.7%; Sca-1-KO mice, 42.9 ± 2.7%]. Furthermore, the hearts of mice lacking Sca-1 demonstrated exacerbated susceptibility to pressure overload [ejection fraction after transaortic constriction (TAC): WT mice, 43.5 ± 3.2%; Sca-1-KO mice, 30.8% ± 4.0] and increased apoptosis, as shown by the 2.5-fold increase in TUNEL(+) cells in Sca-1-deficient hearts under stress. Sca-1 deficiency affected primarily the nonmyocyte cell fraction. Indeed, the number of Nkx2.5(+) nonmyocyte cells, which represent a population of cardiac precursor cells (CPCs), was 2-fold smaller in Sca-1 deficient neonatal hearts. In vitro, the ability of CPCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes was not affected by Sca-1 deletion. In contrast, these cells demonstrated unrestricted differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, proliferation of cardiac nonmyocyte cells in response to stress, as judged by BrdU incorporation, was higher in mice lacking Sca-1 (percentages of BrdU(+) cells in the heart after TAC: WT mice, 4.4 ± 2.1%; Sca-1-KO mice, 19.3 ± 4.2%). These data demonstrate the crucial role of Sca-1 in the maintenance of cardiac integrity and suggest that Sca-1 restrains spontaneous differentiation in the precursor population. The absence of Sca-1 results in uncontrolled precursor recruitment, exhaustion of the precursor pool, and cardiac dysfunction.

Teleost fish larvae adapt to dietary arachidonic acid supply through modulation of the expression of lipid metabolism and stress response genes

Dietary fatty acid supply can affect stress response in fish during early development. Although knowledge on the mechanisms involved in fatty acid regulation of stress tolerance is scarce, it has often been hypothesised that eicosanoid profiles can influence cortisol production. Genomic cortisol actions are mediated by cytosolic receptors which may respond to cellular fatty acid signalling. An experiment was designed to test the effects of feeding gilthead sea-bream larvae with four microdiets, containing graded arachidonic acid (ARA) levels (0·4, 0·8, 1·5 and 3·0 %), on the expression of genes involved in stress response (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, glucocorticoid receptor and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), lipid and, particularly, eicosanoid metabolism (hormone-sensitive lipase, PPARα, phospholipase A2, cyclo-oxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase), as determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Fish fatty acid phenotypes reflected dietary fatty acid profiles. Growth performance, survival after acute stress and similar whole-body basal cortisol levels suggested that sea-bream larvae could tolerate a wide range of dietary ARA levels. Transcription of all genes analysed was significantly reduced at dietary ARA levels above 0·4 %. Nonetheless, despite practical suppression of phospholipase A2 transcription, higher leukotriene B4 levels were detected in larvae fed 3·0 % ARA, whereas a similar trend was observed regarding PGE2 production. The present study demonstrates that adaptation to a wide range of dietary ARA levels in gilthead sea-bream larvae involves the modulation of the expression of genes related to eicosanoid synthesis, lipid metabolism and stress response. The roles of ARA, other polyunsaturates and eicosanoids as signals in this process are discussed.

Evaluación de un nuevo método de sutura para la cirugía endoscopica transluminal a través de orificios naturales en un modelo animal

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is a novel, potentially less invasive alternative to laparoscopic surgery. However, the problems of transluminal access and closure represent significant obstacles to its successful introduction in humans. Objective: to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a novel device designed for transluminal access and closure in a survival porcine model. Subjects: Four adult female Yorkshire pigs were used in the study. Interventions: While under general anesthesia, the animals were prepared with multiple tap water enemas followed by instillation of an antibiotic suspension and povidone-iodine lavage. At a distance of 15 to 20 cm from the anus, the prototype device (LSI Solutions, Victor, NY, USA) deployed a circumscribing purse-string suture around the planned incision site and subsequently used a blade mechanism to create a 2.5-cm linear incision. The transcolonic incision was then closed by cinching and securing the purse-string suture with a titanium knot by use of a separate hand-activated suture-locking device. Main Outcome Measurements: The animals were monitored daily for signs of peritonitis and sepsis and were survived for 14 days. The peritoneal cavity was examined for peritonitis, and the colonic incision site was examined for wound dehiscence, pericolic abscess formation, and gross adhesions. Tissue samples from both incisional and random peritoneal sites were obtained for histologic examination. Results: Transcolonic incision and closure were successful in all 4 animals. The device performed in a rapid and reproducible fashion. All animals recovered without septic complications. At necropsy, there was no evidence of peritonitis, abscesses, or wound dehiscence. Salpingocolonic and colovesicular adhesions were noted in 3 of 4 animals. Histologic examination revealed microabscesses at the incision site in all animals. Conclusions: The prototype incision and closure device represents a promising solution to the problems of transluminal access for NOTES. The presence of incision-related adhesions and microabscesses signal the need for further refinement in aseptic technique. 

Hepatitis C virus proteins promote mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction and nitro-oxidative stress: insights into pathogenesis

HCV-infection induces a state of oxidative stress more pronounced than in many other inflammatory diseases. Here we propose a temporal sequence of events in the HCV-infected cell whereby the primary alteration consists in release of Ca2+ from the ER followed by uptake into mitochondria. This triggers successive mitochondrial dysfunctions leading to generation of ROS and to a progressive metabolic adaptive response. Pathogenetic implications of the model and new opportunities for therapeutic intervention are discussed.

État de stress post-traumatique chez les mères et chez les pères d'enfants prématurés: similitudes et différences = Prematurity and parental post-traumatic stress disorder: similarities and differences

Objectifs Évaluer et comparer la présence de symptômes de stress post-traumatique, en fonction de la gravité de la prématurité, chez les mères et chez les pères de bébés nés prématurément. Méthode En fonction du score de risque périnatal (PERI) du bébé, les parents des prématurés (âge gestationnel moins de 34 semaines) ont été divisés en deux groupes : les parents de prématurés à faible risque (n = 16) et à haut risque (n = 26). Les symptômes d'intrusion et d'évitement, de l'état de stress post-traumatique, ont été évalués chez les parents à l'aide d'un questionnaire, l'Impact of Event Scale (IES). Leurs réponses ont été comparées à un groupe témoin de parents de nouveau-nés à terme (n = 24). Les différences entre les réponses des mères et des pères, ont été analysées. Résultats Les parents de bébés prématurés sont plus à risque que les parents de nouveau-nés à terme de présenter des symptômes de stress post-traumatique. Les mères en lien avec le fait même de la prématurité du bébé, les pères en lien avec la gravité de la prématurité. Les mères et les pères des prématurés des deux groupes (prématurés à faible risque, prématurés à haut risque) décrivent des symptômes d'intrusion, alors que les symptômes d'évitement sont décrits par toutes les mères, mais seulement par les pères de prématurés à haut risque périnatal. Conclusion La naissance prématurée est susceptible d'entraîner l'apparition de symptômes de stress post-traumatique chez les parents. Les mères et les pères réagissent différemment. Objectives Evaluation of the symptoms of parental post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the severity of the prematurity, in mothers and fathers of premature babies. Materials and methods According to the Perinatal Risk Inventory (PERI), the parents of premature infants (gestational age less than 34 weeks) were divided into two groups, parents of a low-risk premature infants (n = 16) and of high-risk premature infants (n = 26). The symptoms of intrusion and avoidance, as a part of the post-traumatic stress disorder, were evaluated by an autoadministrated questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Their responses were compared with a control group of parents of full-term infants (n = 24). The differences in the answers of mothers and fathers were analysed. Results The occurrence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is increased in parents of preterm infants compared with the control group. Whereas mothers of premature infants are at risk of presenting symptoms of PTSD, linked to the prematurity, with fathers the infant perinatal risk factors play a greater role. The symptoms of intrusion are present in mothers and fathers of preterm infants of both groups. Mothers of both groups present avoidance symptoms, although only fathers of high-risk preterm infants present them. Conclusions Premature birth has an impact on both parents in terms of post-traumatic stress reactions. However, mothers and fathers react in different ways according to the severity of the prematurity.