Functional Upregulation of Ca2+ -Activated K+ Channels in the Development of Substantia Nigra Dopamine Neurons

Many connections in the basal ganglia are made around birth when animals are exposed to a host of new affective, cognitive, and sensori-motor stimuli. It is thought that dopamine modulates cortico-striatal synapses that result in the strengthening of those connections that lead to desired outcomes. We propose that there must be a time before which stimuli cannot be processed into functional connections, otherwise it would imply an effective link between stimulus, response, and reward in uterus. Consistent with these ideas, we present evidence that early in development dopamine neurons are electrically immature and do not produce high-frequency firing in response to salient stimuli. We ask first, what makes dopamine neurons immature? and second, what are the implications of this immaturity for the basal ganglia? As an answer to the first question, we find that at birth the outward current is small (3nS-V), insensitive to Ca2+, TEA, BK, and SK blockers. Rapidly after birth, the outward current increases to 15nS-V and becomes sensitive to Ca2+, TEA, BK, and SK blockers. We make a detailed analysis of the kinetics of the components of the outward currents and produce a model for BK and SK channels that we use to reproduce the outward current, and to infer the geometrical arrangement of BK and Ca2+ channels in clusters. In the first cluster, T-type Ca2+ and BK channels are coupled within distances of similar to 20 nm (200 parallel to). The second cluster consists of L-type Ca2+ and BK channels that are spread over distances of at least 60 nm. As for the second question, we propose that early in development, the mechanism of action selection is in a "locked-in" state that would prevent dopamine neurons from reinforcing cortico-striatal synapses that do not have a functional experiential-based value.

Paridade e desenvolvimento ovariano de Anopheles albitarsis l.s. em área de agroecossistema irrigado

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a paridade, o desenvolvimento ovariano e a razão de sobrevivência da espécie Anopheles albitarsis, visando a estimar o potencial de transmissão malárica. MÉTODOS: Duas populações de Anopheles albitarsis, denominadas A e B, foram capturadas na Fazenda Experimental do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, situada no Município de Pariquera-Açu, Estado de São Paulo. As capturas foram feitas no período crepuscular vespertino das 17h às 20h, utilizando-se armadilha tipo Shannon. As dissecções foram feitas utilizando-se a técnica de Polovodova, e a avaliação do desenvolvimento folicular segundo o critério de Christophers e Mer. Adotou-se o método de Vercrusse para se estimar a sobrevivência diária e o método de Davidson para se determinar a duração do ciclo gonotrófico. RESULTADOS: Foram dissecados 2.612 exemplares, sendo 237 da população A e 2.375 da B. As sobrevivências diárias para as populações A e B foram de 0,5339±0,047 e 0,5566±0,015, respectivamente, e a duração do ciclo gonotrófico para a população A foi de 1.990 dias e para a B de 2.046 dias. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados contribuem para a avaliação do potencial de transmissão malárica na região.

Aspiração manual de trombos no enfarte agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento segmento ST: impacto da técnica de aspiração manual de trombos na reperfusão do miocárdio durante a intervenção coronária percutânea primária

Mestrado em Tecnologia de Diagnóstico e Intervenção Cardiovascular. Área de especialização: Intervenção Cardiovascular.

Efeito da velocidade média nos parâmetros espaciotemporais, angulares e de pressão plantar durante a marcha em indivíduos com meniscopatia

Introdução: A velocidade da marcha quando analisada, conjuntamente com outras variáveis, permite-nos uma melhor compreensão acerca da natureza dos défices e como direcionar o tratamento. Objectivo(s): avaliar a associação da velocidade média da marcha com as variáveis espaciotemporais, angulares e de distribuição das pressões plantares em indivíduos com lesão meniscal há 4 anos, utilizando o membro não lesado como controlo. Métodos: estudo realizado em dez participantes com lesão meniscal (idade 35,3 ± 10,63 anos, altura 170,0 ± 0,09 cm, massa 67,5 ± 7,22 kg) avaliados em 3 ciclos de marcha a uma velocidade auto-selecionada. A quantificação das variáveis foi calculada através do programa Ariel Performance Analysis System e pelo Pedar System. As imagens foram editadas, digitalizadas, transformadas e suavizadas com um filtro digital com uma frequência de corte de 6HZ. Para estimar a associação das variáveis foram efetuados modelos de regressão linear e apresentados os coeficiente de regressão (β) e os respetivos intervalos de confiança (IC95%). Resultados: Foi possível verificar que a velocidade está significativa e positivamente associada aos parâmetros temporais das fases oscilantes (βML=0,044; IC95%:0,015;0,073; βMNL=0,061; IC95%:0,037;0,086), oscilação inicial (βML=0,055; IC95%:0,006;0,105; βMNL=0,091; IC95%:0,011;0,170) e cadência (βML=0,016; IC95%:0,009;0,023; βMNL=0,011; IC95%:0,006;0,017), em ambos os membros, e aos parâmetros temporais das fases de apoio unilateral (βML=0,046; IC95%:0,019;0,07), oscilação terminal (βML=0,081; IC95%:0,003;0,159) e apoio médio (βML=0,046; IC95%:0,008;0,085), apenas no membro lesado. Foi também observada, em ambos os membros, a existência de associações negativas significativas com os parâmetros temporais das fases de duplo apoio (βML=-0,024; IC95%:-0,037;-0,011; βMNL=-0,032; IC95%:-0,048;-0,015), apoio (βML=-0,044; IC95%:-0,073;-0,015; βMNL=-0,061; IC95%:-0,086;-0,037), resposta de carga (βML=-0,029; IC95%:-0,055;-0,004; βMNL=-0,047; IC95%:-0,081;-0,013), pré-oscilação (βML=-0,047; IC95%:-0,082;-0,013; βMNL=-0,060; IC95%:-0,098;-0,023) e tempo do ciclo de marcha (βML=-1,435; IC95%:-2,090;-0,781; βMNL=-0,941; IC95%:-1,431;-0,451). Foi ainda identificada, no membro lesado, uma associação positiva com a pressão plantar máxima normalizada durante o contacto do calcanhar terminal (βML=0,612; IC95%:0,077;1,147) e com o passo normalizado (βML=2,413; IC95%:0,264;4,561) e uma associação negativa limítrofe com a amplitude de flexão do joelho durante a elevação da ponta dos dedos (βML=-0,031; IC95%:-0,061;0,000). Conclusão: A velocidade média da marcha parece influenciar bastante os parâmetros temporais, sem provocar grandes alterações nos parâmetros espaciais, angulares e de pressão plantar, sendo esta associação semelhante em ambos os membros e independente do local da lesão.

Epidemiological factors associated with seropositivity for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women from Gurupi, State of Tocantins, Brazil

Introduction Knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii dissemination among pregnant women is relevant because the parasite can be spread from mother to infant. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women from Gurupi, State of Tocantins, Brazil, from February 2012 to June 2013. Methods The study population included 487 pregnant women. Sociodemographic, dietary and cultural data were collected using a standardized and validated form. Peripheral blood was collected for serologic testing using the ELISA test (IgM/IgG antibodies). The data were analyzed by comparing seropositivity with risk factors using crude and adjusted odds ratios. Results The prevalence rate for IgG and IgM antibodies was 68.7% and 5.7%, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics associated with toxoplasmosis risk included the following: education level ≤ 8 years (OR: 6.612; CI: 1.450-30.144), age ≥ 30 years (OR: 5.273; CI: 1.166-23.844), working outside the home (OR: 1.604; CI: 1.015-2.536), and family income of two minimum wages or lower (OR: 2.700; CI: 1.891-8.182). Regarding dietary habits, there was a significant association of seropositivity with meat intake (OR: 1.78; CI: 1.149-4.080), cutting vegetables without washing the cutting board beforehand (OR: 2.051; CI: 1.165-3.614), frequent intake of vegetables (OR: 2.051; CI: 1.368-3.006) and in natura milk intake (OR: 2.422; CI: 1.014-5.785). Conclusions The high prevalence rates of toxoplasmosis in Gurupi are related to age, raw meat and in natura milk intake, as well as education level, working outside the home, and poor hygienic habits during meal preparation.

Remsen source water protection project : agreement no. 8025-015 between the Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board and the City of Remsen final report.

This final report to the Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board by the City of Remsen Utilities consists of accomplishments made by the Remsen Utilities as per this agreement. The City of Remsen Utilities did in fact purchase approximately 27 acres of land lying upstream of the city’s water well field. The land was purchased from Mr. Larry Rodesch and Mr. Rich Harpenau for the purpose of removing nitrates from Remsen’s water source and establishing native prairie grasses to assist in this removal.

Wind Loads on Dynamic Message Cabinets and Behavior of Supporting Trusses, TR-612, 2013

Large Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) have been increasingly used on freeways, expressways and major arterials to better manage the traffic flow by providing accurate and timely information to drivers. Overhead truss structures are typically employed to support those DMSs allowing them to provide wider display to more lanes. In recent years, there is increasing evidence that the truss structures supporting these large and heavy signs are subjected to much more complex loadings than are typically accounted for in the codified design procedures. Consequently, some of these structures have required frequent inspections, retrofitting, and even premature replacement. Two manufacturing processes are primarily utilized on truss structures - welding and bolting. Recently, cracks at welding toes were reported for the structures employed in some states. Extremely large loads (e.g., due to high winds) could cause brittle fractures, and cyclic vibration (e.g., due to diurnal variation in temperature or due to oscillations in the wind force induced by vortex shedding behind the DMS) may lead to fatigue damage, as these are two major failures for the metallic material. Wind and strain resulting from temperature changes are the main loads that affect the structures during their lifetime. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Specification defines the limit loads in dead load, wind load, ice load, and fatigue design for natural wind gust and truck-induced gust. The objectives of this study are to investigate wind and thermal effects in the bridge type overhead DMS truss structures and improve the current design specifications (e.g., for thermal design). In order to accomplish the objective, it is necessary to study structural behavior and detailed strain-stress of the truss structures caused by wind load on the DMS cabinet and thermal load on the truss supporting the DMS cabinet. The study is divided into two parts. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) component and part of the structural analysis component of the study were conducted at the University of Iowa while the field study and related structural analysis computations were conducted at the Iowa State University. The CFD simulations were used to determine the air-induced forces (wind loads) on the DMS cabinets and the finite element analysis was used to determine the response of the supporting trusses to these pressure forces. The field observation portion consisted of short-term monitoring of several DMS Cabinet/Trusses and long-term monitoring of one DMS Cabinet/Truss. The short-term monitoring was a single (or two) day event in which several message sign panel/trusses were tested. The long-term monitoring field study extended over several months. Analysis of the data focused on trying to identify important behaviors under both ambient and truck induced winds and the effect of daily temperature changes. Results of the CFD investigation, field experiments and structural analysis of the wind induced forces on the DMS cabinets and their effect on the supporting trusses showed that the passage of trucks cannot be responsible for the problems observed to develop at trusses supporting DMS cabinets. Rather the data pointed toward the important effect of the thermal load induced by cyclic (diurnal) variations of the temperature. Thermal influence is not discussed in the specification, either in limit load or fatigue design. Although the frequency of the thermal load is low, results showed that when temperature range is large the restress range would be significant to the structure, especially near welding areas where stress concentrations may occur. Moreover stress amplitude and range are the primary parameters for brittle fracture and fatigue life estimation. Long-term field monitoring of one of the overhead truss structures in Iowa was used as the research baseline to estimate the effects of diurnal temperature changes to fatigue damage. The evaluation of the collected data is an important approach for understanding the structural behavior and for the advancement of future code provisions. Finite element modeling was developed to estimate the strain and stress magnitudes, which were compared with the field monitoring data. Fatigue life of the truss structures was also estimated based on AASHTO specifications and the numerical modeling. The main conclusion of the study is that thermal induced fatigue damage of the truss structures supporting DMS cabinets is likely a significant contributing cause for the cracks observed to develop at such structures. Other probable causes for fatigue damage not investigated in this study are the cyclic oscillations of the total wind load associated with the vortex shedding behind the DMS cabinet at high wind conditions and fabrication tolerances and induced stresses due to fitting of tube to tube connections.

06033-015 Fox River Watershed Final Report

With WIRB funding the Fox River Ecosystem Development board will install prioritized practices identified by assessments within the impaired segment of Fox River that currently will not be funded by Iowa Section 319 or Watershed Protection Funds. The FRED board is also asking for funding for a three year position for continuing assessment, planning, and technical assistance. Through various funding sources local work groups have been able to address some of the critical and high priority areas. But, as further assessments are made, commitment, and need expressed from landowners grow, the FRED board and SWCD districts in both Iowa and Missouri are committed not only to seek funding to continue water quality efforts for more practices but also enhance and protect existing practices and investments that protect our water quality and economic viability in both states.

09029-015 Otter Creek Watershed Final Report

The City of West Union has been selected by Iowa Department of Economic Development as a Green Pilot Community. A major project within this designation is the reconstruction of the downtown business district public infrastructure in a sustainable, innovative, and replicable way. A key component of this project is replacement of the impermeable street and sidewalk surfacing with a porous paver system. This system, along with bio-retention cells in intersection bumpouts and sidewalk planters, will infiltrate, then cleanse and cool the storm water prior to a very slow discharge rate to Otter Creek. The project area will see a 95% reduction in peak discharge rate for a 100 year storm and a 20% reduction in runoff volume. West Union is located within the Otter Creek watershed, a designated cold water trout stream just below the city. Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District and IDNR consider improvement of the water quality of Otter Creek to be very important. This reconstruction of downtown West Union in a sustainable manner will be the start of an overall Otter Creek watershed improvement project.

07040-015 Saylor Creek Watershed Final Report

Phase 2 of the Saylor Creek Improvement Project is focused on channel restoration. The existing stream channel is generally incised, running through areas primarily covered with heavy trees, brush and weeds. The ravine ranges from 6 to 20 feet deep through the corridor with very steep slopes in several areas. In two areas storm outlets are undercut or suspended above the channel. Tall undercut, eroded banks exist along several of the outside bends. Sediment deposition on the inside bends limits the cross-section of the channel, increasing flow velocity and forcing this faster flow toward the eroded outside bank. A wide array of practices will need to be implemented to address channel erosion. Improvements will be specifically tailored to address problems observed at each bend. The result will be a channel with a more natural appearance, and reduced use of hard armor and revetment. Some sections will require minimal grading with removal of underbrush for improved maintenance access and more sun exposure, better allowing deep­ rooted plants and flowers to establish to provide further erosion protection. Straight sections with steep banks will require grading to pull back slopes, increasing the creek's capacity to convey storm flows at slower velocities. Sections with sharp bends will require slope pull back and armor protection. A constructed wetland will collect and treat runoff from a small sub-watershed, before being discharged into the main tributary.

08025-015 Remsen Source Water Protection Final Report

The City of Remsen is proactively addressing an increase of nitrates in their public water supply before it becomes a financial catastrophe for them. An intensive assessment was conducted by the Iowa DNR Source Water Protection program as one of four pilot projects in the state. This assessment far surpassed standard desktop assessments and gathered monitoring information in-the-field led by a local watershed group. This was incorporated into a computer modeling program to help the local watershed group discuss alternatives. This comprehensive approach clearly identified the source of nitrate infiltration as a cropland area adjacent to the City well field. Many options were evaluated but only one option provided an economical, viable and secure answer to the water supply needs of Remsen for generations to come. The watershed planning group chose to seek the purchase of this critical area of cropland and convert it to a deep rooted mixture of native grasses. This WIRB funding is intended to be used to acquire a small area totaling 21.1 acres. It represents about 22% of the total local project effort. This will be added to the existing City well field of 40.2 acres and another piece of adjacent property, 35.34 acres, that the City recently acquired as part of an overall aggressive program to protect the community water supply. The City has a signed purchase agreement for 14.4 acres of the 21.1 and a strong verbal commitment to obtain the remaining 5.7 acres. This project has been very active for almost 2 years and is ready to implement immediately upon funding notification. The establishment of native grasses, funded by the local chapter of Pheasants Forever, will take approximately the next three years of operation & maintenance.

05040-015 Viking Lake Watershed Final Report

Viking Lake State Park is beautiful resource which has been special to residents of Southwest Iowa and visitors from around the region. Unfortunately, Viking Lake itself is being impacted by non-point source pollution. Water quality conditions are becoming the reason that visitors are shying away from the park instead of flocking to it. To combat these non-point source problems the Viking Lake Water Quality Project has been initiated and $327,000 has been allocated through the Section 319/WSPF Program which will address water quality concerns in the watershed. Additionally, IDNR Fisheries is preparing for an entire renovation of Viking Lake in 2006. One funding gap remains, that may prevent this comprehensive water quality project from achieving a successful endpoint. Funds are still needed for the renovation of malfunctioning septic systems at Viking Village housing development which is adjacent to the park, and has been identified as a primary source of contamination entering the lake. The intent of this application is to secure funds so that these septic system problems can be corrected and water quality conditions of this important natural resource restored for public enjoyment.