Genetic control methods of mosquito vectors of malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika are becoming increasingly popular due to the limitations of other techniques such as the use of insecticides. ...The sterile insect technique is an effective genetic control method to manage insect populations. However, it is crucial to release sterile mosquitoes by air to ensure homogeneous coverage, especially in large areas. Here, we report a fully automated adult mosquito release system operated from an uncrewed aerial vehicle or drone. Our system, developed and tested in Brazil, enabled a homogeneous dispersal of sterile male
while maintaining their quality, leading to a homogeneous sterile-to-wild male ratio due to their aggregation in the same sites. Our results indicate that the released sterile males were able to compete with the wild males in mating with the wild females; thus, the sterile males were able to induce sterility in the native female population. The use of drones to implement the sterile insect technique will lead to improvements in areal coverage and savings in operational costs due to the requirement of fewer release sites and field staff.
This study assessed milk productivity, demographic characteristics and workload distribution on a single high-yield dairy ewe farm in Spain (Avila, Spain; continental climate, latitude of 40.90 N, ...altitude of 900 m) over a 7-year period considering a transition from a herd management system involving five lambings per year (5LY) to a system involving 10 lambings per year (10LY). The 5LY system was practiced on the farm from 2010 to 2012 and the 10LY system from 2014 to 2015, with 2009 and 2013 being considered transition years. During this period, 27 415 lactations were recorded from an average of 3746 Lacaune sheep/year. Several productivity parameters were higher in 2014 to 2015 than in 2010 to 2012: milk yield/lactation (370±156 v. 349±185 l), lactation length (218±75 v. 192±75 days) and dry period length (53.5±38.3 v. 69.1±34.8 days) (all P<0.0001). During 2014 to 2015, investment in new lambing facilities was possible, workload was distributed more uniformly throughout the year, workload per worker was smaller, rate of ewe culling was lower (35.39±0.53% v. 42.51±7.51%), ewe longevity was greater and higher-order lactations were more numerous (P<0.0001). On the other hand, during 2010 to 2012, daily production was higher (1.73±1.66 v. 1.70±0.62 l/day; P=0.038), the interlambing period was shorter (283±50 v. 302±44 days; P<0.0001) and lambings/ewe per year were greater (1.42±0.01 v. 1.30±0.01; P<0.05). These results suggest that a 10LY herd management system can be compatible with profitability, productivity and good animal and worker's welfare on a high-yield dairy farm, and may even be associated with better outcomes than a 5LY system.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) has a crucial role in growth hormone (GH) secretion, but little is known about its production by adipocytes and its involvement in adipocyte metabolism.
To ...determine whether GHRH and its receptor (GHRH-R) are present in human adipocytes and to study their levels in obesity. Also, to analyze the effects of GHRH on human adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis.
GHRH/GHRH-R and GH/GH-R mRNA expression levels were analyzed in human mature adipocytes from non-obese and morbidly obese subjects. Human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSC) were differentiated to adipocytes with GHRH (10
-10
M). Adipocyte differentiation, lipolysis and gene expression were measured and the effect of GH-R silencing was determined.
Mature adipocytes from morbidly obese subjects showed a higher expression of GHRH and GH-R, and a lower expression of GHRH-R and GH than non-obese subjects (P<0.05). A total of 10
-10
M GHRH induced an inhibition of lipid accumulation and PPAR-γ expression (P<0.05), and an increase in glycerol release and HSL expression (P<0.05) in human differentiated adipocytes. A total of 10
-10
M GHRH decreased GHRH-R expression in human differentiated adipocytes (P<0.05). A total of 10
-10
M GHRH increased GH and GH-R expression in human differentiated adipocytes (P<0.05). The effects of GHRH at 10
M on adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis were blocked when GH-R expression was silenced.
GHRH and GHRH-R are expressed in human adipocytes and are negatively associated. GHRH at low doses may exert an anti-obesity effect by inhibiting HMSC differentiation in adipocytes and by increasing adipocyte lipolysis in an autocrine or paracrine pathway. These effects are mediated by GH and GH-R.
Research supports that exposure to stressors (e.g., perceived stress and racism) during pregnancy can negatively impact the immune system, which may lead to infection and ultimately increases the ...risk for having a preterm or low‐birthweight infant. It is well known that Black women report higher levels of stressors at multiple timepoints across pregnancy compared with women of all other racial and ethnic groups. This study addresses gaps in the literature by describing pregnant and early post‐partum Black women's exposures to structural racism and self‐reported experiences of racial discrimination, and the extent to which these factors are related. We used a cross‐sectional study design to collect data related to exposures to racism from pregnant and early post‐partum Black women residing in Oakland, California, from January 2016 to December 2017. Comparative analysis revealed that living in highly deprived race + income neighborhoods was associated with experiencing racial discrimination in three or more situational domains (p = .01). Findings show that Black women are exposed to high levels of racism that may have negative impacts on maternal health outcomes.
This document analyzes a survey conducted in three geographical areas in Spain, focusing on centers for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The study aims to determine the adherence rate to ...recommended physical activity guidelines, assess if there is a decline in interest in physical activity over time, identify the stage at which this decline occurs, and explore potential mechanisms, tools, or strategies to sustain long-term engagement in regular physical activity for this population. The 36-item questionnaire comprises multiple-choice, open-ended, and Likert scale-type questions. Data were collected on physical activity frequency and duration, daily living activities, and demographics. Statistical analysis identified patterns and relationships between variables. Findings reveal that only a 17.6% meets the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations regarding regular physical activity (RPA), decreasing in frequency or number of days a week, (3.7 d/w to 2.9 d/w;
< 0.01) and duration (50.5 min/d to 45.2 min/d;
< 0.001) with age, especially for those with higher Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) mobility levels. Obesity slightly correlates with session duration (ρ = -0.207;
< 0.05), not mobility limitations. Gender has no significant impact on mobility, communication, or physical activity, while age affects variables such as body mass index (BMI) and engagement (
< 0.01). A substantial proportion follows regular physical activities based on health professionals' advice, with interest decreasing with age. To improve adherence, focusing on sports-oriented goals, group sessions, and games is recommended. These findings emphasize the importance of personalized programs, particularly for older individuals and those with greater mobility limitations.
•Eustressors are physical, chemical, and biological stress factors that might improve vegetables production.•Eustressors have shown to improve plant growth, quality and alleviate stresses.•Basic ...concepts on eustressors should be clarified to apply in horticulture for legislation purposes.•Physical eustressors deserves to be considered to enhance vegetables production.•Eustressors should regularly be used in vegetables production systems.
Worldwide plants are exposed to different biotic and abiotic stress factors limiting yield, growth, quality and performance. Agricultural and horticultural practices for food production aim at plant cultivation at minimized stress using different production systems either under protected or open field conditions. However, it is also possible to stress plants to enhance horticultural production. The theory of stress indicates a dose/response relationship between the strength and length of the stress factor (stressor) and the plant response. Plant responses to cope stress are triggered after recognition of a range of biological, chemical, and physical stressors. Slight doses of stressors might cause positive effects on plant performance (“positive stress” or eustress), whereas on the contrary, high doses provoke negative effects (“negative stress” or distress). Managed as eustress dose and lenght, an eustressor might stimulates the plant response in such a way that plant production and quality are improved. A myriad of literature has reported beneficial effects for the applications of biological (biostimulants/elicitors) and non-biological chemical eustressors in horticulture. However, physical eustressors have not been exhaustively studied in this sense. The present review aims at presenting the current status of the concepts, case studies and applications of eustressors in horticulture. Moreover, the review focuses on the necessity of exploring physical eustressors as stress factors that modulate and increase the quality of horticultural commodities.
Background and aims: As interleukin-6 (IL-6) has an important role in general metabolism with high circulating levels in obesity and other associated diseases, the factors regulating its synthesis ...and release have been considered possible therapeutic targets and have recently been studied. We examined the influence of three different diets, each having a different fatty acid composition--saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated (coconut oil, olive oil and sunflower oil diets), on IL-6 release from rat adipocytes, and the interaction between diet and other regulatory factors of IL-6 release, such as epinephrine. Methods: A group of rats was assigned to one of the three different diets, each with a significantly different concentration of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Samples were taken from the omental adipose tissue for measurement of the triacylglycerol fatty acid composition of the tissues and for adipocyte isolation. IL-6 release from adipocytes was measured in vitro, under nonstimulated conditions and also with two concentrations of epinephrine in the medium. Results: Animals fed with the olive oil diet showed lower values of IL-6 release with and without epinephrine stimulation. IL-6 release from adipocytes varied according to the diet, but not according to epinephrine dose. However, a significant interaction was found between the epinephrine dose and the diet in IL-6 release regulation. Conclusions: IL-6 release from adipocytes was markedly regulated by the dietary fatty acid composition, even under epinephrine stimulation, with lower values of IL-6 release in the olive oil diet. The study also showed that epinephrine regulation of IL-6 release was related to the diet.
Background
Nucleic acids, RNA among them, are widely used in biomedicine and Biotechnology. Because of their susceptibility to degradation by RNases, the handling and extraction process of RNA from ...cells and tissues require specialized personnel and standardized methods to guarantee high purity and integrity. Due to the diversity of techniques found in the market, a comparative study between different RNA extraction methods is useful to facilitate the best choice for the researcher or in research service platforms such as biobanks to see the traceability of the samples.
Methods and results
In this study, we have compared seven different RNA extraction methods: manual (TRIzol™), semiautomated (QIAGEN™, Bio-Rad, Monarch®, and Canvax™), and fully automated (QIAcube™ and Maxwell®) processes, from two biological matrices: human Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Results showed marked differences in the RNA quality and functionality according to the method employed for RNA extraction and the matrix used.
Discussion
QIAcube™ and semi-automated extraction methods were perceived as the best options because of their lower variability, good functionality, and lower cost (P < 0.001). These data contribute to facilitating researchers or research service platforms (Biobanks) in decision-making practices and emphasize the relevance of the selection of the RNA extraction method in each experimental procedure or traceability study to guarantee both quality standards and its reproducibility.
Abstract Objective Arterial stiffness is a contributor to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between sedentary ...behaviour and arterial stiffness in a Spanish adult population. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1365 subjects belonging to the EVIDENT project. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured objectively over 7 days using ActiGraph accelerometers. Thresholds of 10 consecutive minutes were used to estimate the daily sedentary time in bouts ≥10 min. Each interruption in sedentary time (counts/min ≥100) was considered a break. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using the B-pro device through the following indicators: radial Augmentation Index (rAIx), Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index (AASI), and central and peripheral pulse pressure (PP). Results We found a positive relationship between central and peripheral pulse pressure (office, 24 h, awake and sleep PP) and total sedentary time. These arterial stiffness parameters were also associated with sedentary time in bouts ≥10 min. Significance disappeared in both cases, however, after adjusting for MVPA and breaks per sedentary hour. Adults who reported fewer breaks per sedentary hour (25th percentile < 2 n/day) had higher levels of AASI, awake and sleep PP. Conclusions In a medium-sized sample of adult attenders of community clinics our data showed that it seems to be important to avoid prolonged uninterrupted periods of sedentary time.
•Reflex multiunit activity of pubococcygeus fibers is recorded.•Dorsal Nerve of the clitoris stimulation activates motoneurons through 3 interneurons.•Cervix sensory activity produced inhibitory ...effect on pubococcygeus motoneurons.•Activation of this muscle by pelvic area structures explain its role in reproduction.
Evoked EMG reflex activity from the pubococcygeus muscle of female Wistar rats has been reported, but has not been carefully analyzed. Here, we studied this reflex activity through mechanical stimulation of the clitoris, perigenital skin, caudal vagina and foot, all of which produced bilateral reflex multiunit electromyographic (MEMG) tonic “on” activity and displayed a rapid adaptation. However, deep vagina and cervical stimulation did not modify MEMG baseline activity even if it was combined with clitoris, perigenital skin and foot stimulation. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris produced bilateral MEMG activity that when recorded at fast sweep speed, it was possible to observe that the ipsilateral response had an 8 ms latency, while the contralateral response had a 10 ms latency. These data suggest that bilateral reflex activation of pubococcygeus muscle motoneurons is produced by several sensory sources in which a specialized neural circuitry of afferent and efferent components and several spinal cord interneurons are involved. This is in accordance with the multi functionality of this muscle in reproductive and behavioral processes.
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