Anatomical and electrophysiological studies have provided us with detailed information regarding the extent and topography of the primary (V1) and secondary (V2) visual areas in primates. The ...consensus about the V1 and V2 maps, however, is in sharp contrast with controversies regarding the organization of the cortical areas lying immediately rostral to V2. In this review, we address the contentious issue of the extent of the third visual area (V3). Specifically, we will argue for the existence of both ventral (V3v) and dorsal (V3d) segments of V3, which are located, respectively, adjacent to the anterior border of ventral and dorsal V2. V3v and V3d would together constitute a single functional area with a complete representation of both upper and lower visual hemifields. Another contentious issue is the organization of the parietal-occipital (PO) area, which also borders the rostral edge of the medial portion of dorsal V2. Different from V1, V2, and V3, which exhibit a topography based on the defined lines of isoeccentricity and isopolar representation, area PO only has a systematic representation of polar angles, with an emphasis on the peripheral visual field (isoeccentricity lines are not well defined). Based on the connectivity patterns of area PO with distinct cytochrome oxidase modules in V2, we propose a subdivision of the dorsal stream of visual information processing into lateral and medial domains. In this model, area PO constitutes the first processing instance of the dorsal-medial stream, coding for the full-field flow of visual cues during navigation. Finally, we compare our findings with those in other species of Old and New World monkeys and argue that larger animals, such as macaque and capuchin monkeys, have similar organizations of the areas rostral to V2, which is different from that in smaller New World monkeys.
The optic disk is a region of the retina consisting mainly of ganglion cell axons and blood vessels, which generates a visual scotoma known as the blind spot (BS). Information present in the ...surroundings of the BS can be used to complete the missing information. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying these perceptual phenomena are poorly understood. We investigate the topography of the BS representation (BSR) in cortical area V1 of the capuchin monkey, using single and multiple electrodes. Receptive fields (RFs) of neurons inside the BSR were investigated using two distinct automatic bias-free mapping methods. The first method (local mapping) consisted of randomly flashing small white squares. For the second mapping method (global mapping), we used a single long bar that moved in one of eight directions. The latter stimulus was capable of eliciting neuronal activity inside the BSR, possibly attributable to long-range surround activity taking place outside the borders of the BSR. Importantly, we found that the neuronal activity inside the BSR is organized topographically in a manner similar to that found in other portions of V1. On average, the RFs inside the BS were larger than those outside. However, no differences in orientation or direction tuning were found between the two regions. We propose that area V1 exhibits a continuous functional topographic map, which is not interrupted in the BSR, as expected by the distribution of photoreceptors in the retina. Thus V1 topography is better described as "visuotopic" rather than as a discontinuous "retinotopic" map.
Contemporary information on mechanical ventilation (MV) use in emerging countries is limited. Moreover, most epidemiological studies on ventilatory support were carried out before significant ...developments, such as lung protective ventilation or broader application of non-invasive ventilation (NIV). We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for hospital mortality and failure of NIV in patients requiring ventilatory support in Brazilian intensive care units (ICU).
In a multicenter, prospective, cohort study, a total of 773 adult patients admitted to 45 ICUs over a two-month period requiring invasive ventilation or NIV for more than 24 hours were evaluated. Causes of ventilatory support, prior chronic health status and physiological data were assessed. Multivariate analysis was used to identifiy variables associated with hospital mortality and NIV failure.
Invasive MV and NIV were used as initial ventilatory support in 622 (80%) and 151 (20%) patients. Failure with subsequent intubation occurred in 54% of NIV patients. The main reasons for ventilatory support were pneumonia (27%), neurologic disorders (19%) and non-pulmonary sepsis (12%). ICU and hospital mortality rates were 34% and 42%. Using the Berlin definition, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was diagnosed in 31% of the patients with a hospital mortality of 52%. In the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio (OR), 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.03), comorbidities (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.28 to 3.17), associated organ failures (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.20), moderate (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.35) to severe ARDS (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.41), cumulative fluid balance over the first 72 h of ICU (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.39 to 4.28), higher lactate (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.27 to 2.50), invasive MV (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.32 to 5.39) and NIV failure (OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.74 to 8.99) were independently associated with hospital mortality. The predictors of NIV failure were the severity of associated organ dysfunctions (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.34), ARDS (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.10 to 4.82) and positive fluid balance (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.30).
Current mortality of ventilated patients in Brazil is elevated. Implementation of judicious fluid therapy and a watchful use and monitoring of NIV patients are potential targets to improve outcomes in this setting.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01268410.
Heparin or highly sulfated heparan sulfate (HS) has been described in different invertebrates. In ascidians (Chordata-Tunicata), these glycosaminoglycans occur in intracellular granules of oocyte ...accessory cells and circulating basophil-like cells, resembling mammalian mast cells and basophils, respectively. HS is also a component of the basement membrane of different ascidian organs. We have analyzed an HS isolated from the internal organs of the ascidian
, using solution
H/
C NMR spectroscopy, which allowed us to identify and quantify the monosaccharides found in this glycosaminoglycan. A variety of α-glucosamine units with distinct degrees of sulfation and
-acetylation were revealed. The hexuronic acid units occur both as α-iduronic acid and β-glucuronic acid, with variable sulfation at the 2-position. A peculiar structural aspect of the tunicate HS is the high content of 2-sulfated β-glucuronic acid, which accounts for one-third of the total hexuronic acid units. Another distinct aspect of this HS is the occurrence of high content of
-acetylated α-glucosamine units bearing a sulfate group at position 6. The unique ascidian HS is a potent inhibitor of the binding of human colon adenocarcinoma cells to immobilized P-selectin, being 11-fold more potent than mammalian heparin, but almost ineffective as an anticoagulant. Thus, the components of the HS structure required to inhibit coagulation and binding of tumor cells to P-selectin are distinct. Our results also suggest that the regulation of the pathway involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans suffered variations during the evolution of chordates.
Nociceptin, or orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), the endogenous ligand of NOP receptors, is known to regulate learning and memory processes. To verify the role of N/OFQ in the acquisition of contextual (CFC) and ...tone fear conditioning (TFC), Wistar male rats received intracerebroventricular injections of N/OFQ (0.1-5.0 nmol) before training, and were tested 24 and 48 hr later to access the freezing response to context and tone, respectively. The intermediate doses (1.0 and 2.5 nmol) impaired the CFC test, sparing TFC. The highest dose (5.0 nmol) reduced freezing during both tests, a result that may be due to nonspecific effects. The posttraining injection of N/OFQ (1 or 5 nmol) did not interfere with CFC and TFC, suggesting a specific effect of the peptide in acquisition processes. Moreover, the impairment observed with N/OFQ (1 nmol) in CFC cannot be attributed to a state-dependent learning because it was not reversed by its pretest administration. The data support the negative role of N/OFQ in the acquisition of aversively motivated tasks, which encompass a spatial component and depend on the hippocampus.
We developed a new bioactive glass-ceramic (GC) based on the CaO-SiO2-MgO-Na2O-Li2O system. Four glass compositions were formulated by a proprietary software (Reformix) and tested by changing mainly ...the calcium content (from 20 mol% to 40 mol%) and the minor components - alumina, zirconia and zinc oxide. We produced our GCs using the sinter-crystallization process at different temperatures (800–1000 °C) and evaluated the effects of compositional changes on the sintering kinetics, microstructure (residual porosity and crystalline phases), hardness, bending strength and bioactivity. We then followed the hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) formation in simulated body fluid by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which revealed the onset of HCA formation after approximately 3 days. These GCs are phosphorus and fluorine free, elements that are present in most bioactive glasses, glass-ceramics and ceramics. Our most bioactive GC has a residual porosity of 9 ± 1%, hardness of 5.5 ± 0.3 GPa, 4p-bending strength of 98 ± 7 MPa and is non-cytotoxic. This combination of good bioactivity and mechanical properties (despite its high porosity) suggests that this new GC could be tested for bone graft implants.
Epoxidized cardanol-based prepolymer (ECP) generated from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) was successfully used as biobased compatibilizer/chain extender for poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (butylene ...adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) (80:20 wt%) blends. The reactive compatibilization effectiveness of different amounts of this biobased additive was compared with that of a petroleum-derived glycidyl-based copolymer, namely Joncryl ADR4300 (ADR) in term of mechanical, dynamic-mechanical and thermal properties, as well as rheological and morphological aspects. The addition of 3 wt% of ECP resulted in significant improvement of yield stress, elongation at break, Young modulus and toughness. The results obtained with this additive were similar or even superior to those observed for ADR. A sea-island-type morphology with very small PBAT domains was also reached with the compatibilization, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The compatibilization was also suggested from the slight increase of the glass transition temperature of the PBAT phase and also a decrease in crystallinity degree of PLA phase. The results presented in this work open new possibilities for developing cost-effective biobased and/or biodegradable materials for food packaging applications.
•Biodegradable PLA/PBAT blends compatibilized with epoxidized cardanol by melt mixing.•An increase of almost 300% in toughness with the addition of 3% of ECP.•New possibilities for using agricultural waste generated in cashew nut processing industries.•Higher compatibilizing effectiveness of biobased ECP when compared with Joncryl.
We investigated the color vision pattern in
Cebus apella monkeys by means of electroretinogram measurements (ERG) and genetic analysis. Based on ERG we could discriminate among three types of ...dichromatic males. Among females, this classification is more complex and requires additional genetic analysis. We found five among 10 possible different phenotypes, two trichromats and three dichromats. We also found that Cebus present a new allele with spectral peak near 552
nm, with the amino acid combination SFT at positions 180, 277 and 285 of the opsin gene, in addition to the previously described SYT, AFT and AFA alleles.
To perform the proteomic profile of Paracoccidioides lutzii after treatment with the compound camphene thiosemicarbazide (TSC-C) in order to study its mode of action.
Proteomic analysis was carried ...out after cells were incubated with TSC-C in a subinhibitory concentration. Validation of the proteomic results comprised the azocasein assay, western blot and determination of the susceptibility of a mutant to the compound.
Proteins related to metabolism, energy and protein fate were regulated after treatment. In addition, TSC-C reduces the proteolytic activity of the protein extract similarly to different types of protease inhibitors.
TSC-C showed encouraging antifungal activity, working as a protease inhibitor and downregulating important pathways impairing the ability of the fungi cells to produce important precursors.
Goat fat is one of the best sources of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid which has health benefits. However, though CLA is generated in ruminants, CLA consumption is limited to meats and ...milk products. This study aimed to replace vegetable fat with goat milk fat enriched with CLA. From differing fat sources, four cookie recipes were developed: CVF-vegetable fat cookies; CB-butter cookies; CG-goat milk fat cookies without CLA; CGCLA-goat milk fat cookies with CLA. The cookies were evaluated using physical (color and texture), physical-chemical parameters (lipids, proteins, total sugars, fiber, ash, moisture and Aw), consumer testing (n = 123), and lipid profiles. The CGCLA presented higher values in the color parameters. The highest and the lowest scores obtained for hardness were respectively 5.54 (CB) and 2.21 (CVF). Lipids and total sugars varied inversely; the highest percentages of lipids were in the CVF and CG samples which obtained lower total sugar content. There were no differences in acceptance or preference for the four formulations. The goat cream formulations (CG and CGCLA) were as well accepted as the CFV formulation. For lipid profiles, CFV presented the highest percentage of trans-fatty acids (TFA) at 16.76%. CGCLA presented 70% more CLA than either CB or CG, certifying that CGCLA presents CLA in relevant quantities, even after cooking. The CGCLA presented higher levels of CLA, and in this study it was verified that goat milk cream enriched with CLA can be used in producing cookies, adding functional and nutritional properties, and offering another alternative(s) to produce food from goat milk fat.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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